#5 Tips to preparing for apply for French Citizenship
Last year, I achieved a major goal by obtaining French citizenship. The journey to citizenship was a rollercoaster ride, which started in 2019 when I first applied but had to restart the process after moving outside of Paris. Then Covid hit, and appointment availability became scarce. Finally, in 2022, I was able to submit everything and complete my interview, but not without learning some valuable lessons along the way.
Here are 5 tips that I learned during my journey that I hope can help others save some time and frustration when applying for French citizenship:
Research eligibility requirements and decide which route to take – “naturalisation par décret” or “nationalité française par marriage”. The process for each varies slightly so it is best to decide which option suits you best. Although I had recently married I decided to go the “naturalisation par décret” route just because I had originally started the process via this route and it was a personal goal to apply independent of my marital status.
Apply only when you are ready! While having dual citizenship is exciting, it's important to show that you're integrated and contribute to French society (e.g. working, paying taxes, speaking the language, meeting residency requirements, etc.). It's best to wait until you're well-rounded on paper before applying, even if you meet the time requirements for eligibility.
Make sure you understand the application process. Depending on where you live, the application process can vary. For example, if you live in Paris (intra-muros), you can mail in all your documents (since Feb 2023 you can also apply online). However, if you live in the suburbs, you may need to wait for an appointment to submit your documents in person. Be sure to stay up-to-date on the current application process for your location.
Secure all necessary documents for when you are actually ready to apply. To save yourself time and money it is best to make sure to begin gathering the necessary documents you need within the timeframe you plan to apply. The French documents are time-sensitive, and most must be dated within 3 months. Foreign documents from your home country typically need to be dated within 6 months.
TIP. During this process, I learned that some US documents, such as a birth certificate, may be accepted even if they are not dated within 6 months, but they must have an apostille stamp. Also, non-French documents must be translated by a certified translator and have an apostille stamp for certain official documents (e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate, FBI background check).Double, triple, quadruple check all your application materials before submitting to avoid missing documents or needing to submit additional documents. It also helps to anticipate extra documents they may ask for and create an annex folder of backup documents in case they ask for extra documents that weren’t necessarily on the list.
Stay tuned for tips on how to prepare for your interview, which was by far the most nerve-racking/exciting aspect of the process for me. I took notes on everything they asked me to share!
For those who have applied for French citizenship, what are some of your tips for the application process?