UKH

Hi All,

My mother was French so as far as I can tell I can apply for joint French nationality, however I'm finding it particularly hard to find information about this on the official French website, partly perhaps to my limited French.

The closest I get is this https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F33430 but the requirements seem strange (e.g. you must have lived there for 25 years)!

Am I on the wrong web page, misunderstanding the page I'm on, or simpy ineligible to apply? Any help would be REALLY appreciated.

By far the best source of info is on Applying for French Nationality fb: https://www.facebook.com/groups/155831851500936/ Join the group and post a question. 

No, it's five years not twenty five. You'd also have to prove your mother was French. In all it's a very complicated and lengthy process, and getting lengthier! I've no real idea of your particular situation but I've regulary seen similar questions asked on that fb group. 

Also another fb pge and website - remaininfrancetogether. Loads of people who have appied for residency / citizenship etc

It seems to me that the website you linked to is if you want to become a French national as an ascendant (parent/grandparent) of a French citizen rather than as a descendant (so the opposite from your situation).

As a descendant, you don't need to live in France, but I believe your birth does need to have been registered. If it wasn't at the time, you may need to hire a lawyer. There is some more info here: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F961.

It might just be easiest to give your nearest French embassy/consulate a call and ask how the process works?

Thanks Jon, really useful - will take a look once I get home (FB blocked at work)

Cheers Ian

Thanks Moondancer, that's what it looked like to me too, but then I couldn't for the life of me find a page that dealt with having a parent who was a French national.

Will definitely call the embassy/consulate at some stage, but was hoping to be a little forewarned first.

 partly perhaps to my limited French.

As far as I am aware you'll need the equivalent of an A in GCSE French, so you'd better brush up!!

I think you could be right, but some pages indicate this isn't a requirement if you're applying based on a parent's nationality. Fingers crossed as I appear to have resisted numerous efforts to improve my French!

There's a very relevant post to you on the link I gave you right now (actually it's about 18 posts down at the moment) from Lydie Milne Paton.