FR
France · Déclaration de Nationalité Française par Mariage · Marriage Fast-Track
Citizenship through declaration after at least 4 years of marriage to a French citizen, provided the couple's emotional and material community of life has continued. The period is 5 years for applicants who cannot show the required continuous residence in France or the French spouse's consular registration while living abroad. Applicants must demonstrate French at B2 level from 2026. Applications are handled by the competent French nationality platform or consulate.
The usual minimum is 4 years of marriage; the period rises to 5 years if the applicant has not resided continuously and lawfully in France for at least 3 years from marriage and cannot prove that the French spouse was registered with the French citizens abroad register throughout the couple's life abroad. A marriage celebrated abroad must first be transcribed into French civil registers. Ongoing emotional and material community of life is required. French language proficiency must be B2 orally and in writing from 1 January 2026; medical accommodations or exemption may be available where health or disability prevents assessment. The civic examination from 2026 applies to naturalization and reintegration, not this marriage declaration. The government states a €255 stamp duty (€127.50 in French Guiana); the USD amount uses the ECB reference rate of EUR 1 = USD 1.1186 on 8 October 2026, rounded to $285. Minors may acquire citizenship with the declarant when they share habitual residence (or alternating residence after separation) and are named in the declaration. Applicants living abroad file with a French consulate and are interviewed there; no visit to France is stated as a condition. The administration has one year to refuse registration, or two years if opposition proceedings are initiated; these are statutory decision limits, not an expected processing estimate. French law allows multiple nationalities. The welcome ceremony is not an oath requirement. Henley Passport Index 2026 lists France at rank 4 with access to 186 destinations.
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 9, 2026 Source
updated Henley 2026 access count and child inclusion, processing limit, dual-citizenship and opposition/revocation details (henleyglobal.com; legifrance.gouv.fr; service-public.gouv.fr).
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