Nationality of a child born in France

A child born in France is automatically French only if at least one of his/her parent is French.

However, a child born in France can apply for French nationality under some conditions:

• If he/she was born in France from foreign parents but has been living in France since age 8, his/her parents can apply for him/her to get the French nationality when the child is aged 13 to 16
• Between 16 and 18 years old, anyone born in France from Non-French parents can apply for French nationality if they live in France and have spent at least 5 years in France since age 11

In both cases, the request must be made with the chief clerk (in French, greffier en chef) of the competent Tribunal d’Instance or at the Nationality Office for people living in Paris.

For more information, go to smartexpat.com.