Avocat Grégoire has helped many clients become French citizens through their marriage to a French citizen. This Valentine’s Day, we consider the story of les amoureux Jean-François (a dual French-American citizen) and Jenny (a U.S. citizen), who wishes to obtain a French passport.
Jean-François was born in France and raised in the U.S. by his French mother and American father. Jenny is a Francophile: she met Jean-François in Paris while they were both studying abroad there in college. They married a few years later in 1999 in Las Vegas. 😊 They have lived in San Francisco together ever since, and hope to move to France for retirement. Can Jenny become a French citizen through her marriage to Jean-François?
First, does Jenny speak French? The foreign spouse seeking French citizenship must demonstrate a lower-intermediate French level. Note: this is not the case for all French citizenship applications!
Was Jean-François a French citizen at the time of the marriage? Presumably, yes, since his mother is French and he was born in France. In certain cases, though, his French birth certificate and French passport will not suffice to prove this, and additional proof of his French citizenship by descent may be required.
Have Jean-François and Jenny been married long enough? Yes! If they make it, they will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this year. The couple must have been married at least four years and in certain cases, at least five years.
Have Jean-François and Jenny lived in France long enough during their marriage? Trick question. Married couples are not required to prove residence in France prior to or at the time of applying for French citizenship by marriage. Though they have always lived in the U.S., this alone will not hurt Jenny’s chances.
Where should Jenny submit her French naturalization application? As a resident of San Francisco, Jenny must submit her application to the Nationality Service of the French Consulate located in Los Angeles.
Our team is available to prepare and submit your application for French citizenship by marriage. Our assistance streamlines the process, allowing you to avoid any unnecessary delays caused by incorrect and inaccurate filings, and taking the burden off you to communicate with the French immigration and naturalization authorities handling your application.
Please contact us today to begin your application. Joyeux Saint Valentin !