How do you apply for French nationality by naturalisation by decree?

In the general case, you can send your application for naturalisation by decree online. Naturalisation by decree is a procedure for acquiring French nationality. You must be 18 years old for naturalisation by decree. You can file your naturalisation application from the age of 17. A minimum residence period of 5 years in France is required for naturalisation by decree. The naturalisation application costs 255 €, or 127,50 € in Guyane.

Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04

You live in France: which steps do you follow to apply for French naturalisation by decree?

1. Check that you meet the conditions for naturalisation by decree: you must be 18 years old, and you can file your application from the age of 17.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
2. You can send your naturalisation application online. At each step of the processing of your naturalisation application, you receive an email at the address you gave.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
3. If you cannot file your application via the online service, you can send your dossier by post to the naturalisation platform for your home address, and you must provide an email from the ANTS citizens contact centre or a document from the préfecture or the sous-préfecture attesting that you cannot file online.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
4. If you send your naturalisation dossier by post, you use the cerfa form n°12753 in 2 copies, filled, dated and signed. You read the information notice attached to the cerfa form before filling in the cerfa form.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
5. If your naturalisation application is admissible, you are called to an interview. At the end of the interview, you must sign the charte des droits et devoirs du citoyen français.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
6. If you do not attend the interview without a legitimate reason, your application can be classed sans suite.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
7. If your application is accepted, download your décret de naturalisation on the Légifrance site.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04

You live abroad: which steps do you follow to apply for French naturalisation by decree?

1. If you live abroad, you must lodge your naturalisation application at a French consulate with the cerfa form n°12753 in 2 copies, filled in, dated and signed.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
2. If you live abroad, you pay the 255 € at the consulate when you lodge your dossier.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
3. If you live abroad, you can be naturalised by decree if you exercise a professional activity, public or private, for the French State or for an organisation whose activity presents a particular interest for the French economy or culture. If you live abroad, you can be naturalised by decree if you reside in Monaco.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
4. If your naturalisation application is admissible, you are called to an interview. At the end of the interview, you must sign the charte des droits et devoirs du citoyen français.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
5. If you do not attend the interview without a legitimate reason, your application can be classed sans suite.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
6. If your naturalisation application is accepted, you receive a letter informing you of your registration in the décret de naturalisation, after the publication of the décret de naturalisation in the Journal officiel.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04

You live in France: which documents do you provide for a French naturalisation application?

You live abroad: which documents do you provide for a naturalisation application?

From what age can you apply for French naturalisation by decree?

• You must be 18 years old to be naturalised French, but you can file your naturalisation application from the age of 17.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
• A minimum residence period of 5 years in France is required for naturalisation by decree, but exceptions exist. Refugee status is an exception to the minimum residence period of 5 years in France required for naturalisation by decree.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
• The naturalisation application costs 255 €, or 127,50 € in Guyane. The tax on the naturalisation application is paid with a timbre fiscal tax stamp.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
• You must hold a residence permit (titre de séjour) valid at the time you file your naturalisation application, unless you are a European (EEA) or Swiss national.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04
• The administration has 18 months maximum from the delivery of the récépissé receipt to answer an application for naturalisation or reintegration into French nationality. The reply period for an application for naturalisation or reintegration into French nationality is reduced to 12 months when you prove your habitual residence in France for at least 10 years at the date of the handover of the récépissé receipt.Service-Public · Checked 2026-11-04