France citizenship by descent
France transmits nationality by filiation indefinitely through an unbroken line — unless the family lived abroad over 50 years with no French ties (the désuétude rule). Check whether you qualify, build your lineage, and get a primary-source-backed document checklist and cost estimate.
Who may qualify
- A French parent at your birth → French by filiation (Art. 18).
- Transmits across generations if each link was French at the next birth.
- Désuétude (Art. 30-3): 50+ years abroad with no 'possession d'état' bars proof.
- Recognized via a Certificat de Nationalité Française (CNF).
A general overview — your eligibility depends on the specifics of your line. The free check gives a personalized answer.
Not sure where to start?
The free eligibility check takes about two minutes.
By ancestor path
Your relationship to the France ancestor determines which rules apply.
A French parent at your birth makes you French by filiation.
Possible if the line stayed French and your family kept French ties (possession d'état).
At risk from the désuétude rule unless recent generations held a French passport/ID or registered.
What you'll need
- Government fee
- Free (the CNF procedure)
- Typical timeline
- 6 months to 1–3 years
- Where
- Pôle de la nationalité, Tribunal judiciaire de Paris
Key dates & laws
Art. 18 Code civil
French by filiation — a child of a French parent is French.
Art. 30-3 (désuétude)
Upheld by the Conseil constitutionnel in April 2025: bars proof after 50+ years abroad without French ties.
Where it's processed
Pôle de la nationalité française, Tribunal judiciaire de Paris
Tools
Guides
Frequently asked questions
- Who qualifies for France citizenship by descent?
- Eligibility runs through the Descent (CNF) pathway and depends on your specific line of descent — which ancestor was a citizen, when, and whether the chain was ever broken by naturalization or other events. Run the free eligibility check for a personalized answer.
- Which authority decides France citizenship cases?
- Tribunal / Service central. EasyPassport is not affiliated with them; we help you organize and verify, and you submit to the authority directly.
- How long does it take?
- Timelines vary widely by route and backlog and are outside any service's control. Treat published averages as estimates and confirm current waits with the authority.
- Do I need to upload my passport or ID?
- No. EasyPassport never stores passports or government IDs — it's a checklist and organization tool, not a document vault.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. We use “may qualify” language because the authority makes the final determination. For an individualized opinion, consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.
Other countries we support
EasyPassport is not affiliated with Tribunal / Service central, any government, or any consulate. This is a document-organization tool, not legal advice — always verify with the relevant authority.