To become a French citizen through marriage, the applicant’s application is subject to several legal conditions. To be eligible, the applicant must meet the following minimal criteria (among other requirements):
- Citizenship of the French spouse: he or she must be French at the date of the marriage.
- Duration of marriage and cohabitation: you must have been married for at least four years, if the French citizen spouse was registered at their local French Consulate throughout that time. If the spouse was not registered at the local French Consulate, the required marriage duration is extended to five years. The couple must be able to provide proof of uninterrupted cohabitation since that date that continues through the date of the application. Note that residence in France is not a requirement for this application.
- Proficiency in the French language: the foreign spouse must demonstrate a sufficient level of knowledge of French.
As of January 1, 2026, the last condition regarding the French language requirement will be strengthened. Any application for citizenship through marriage submitted after January 1, 2026 must be accompanied by a certificate proving a B2 level of French, corresponding to an upper intermediate level. Previously, a B1 lower intermediate level was allowed. The B2 language test certificate is also required for applications for French naturalization through residence in France.
French tests that satisfy this requirement are official tests including the TEF-IRN (Test d’Evaluation du Français – Intégration, Résidence, et Nationalité), TCF-IRN (Test de Connaissance du Français – Intégration, Résidence, et Nationalité), DELF (Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française), or DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française). French tests are offered most frequently at your local Alliance Française and some officially certified French-language schools. Online exam preparation is available via e-learning platforms that offer preparation for both written and oral exams and that offer mock exams to practice before you pass this test. We can advise you as to how to register for these online exam prep courses and how to register for a test.
If you are considering applying for citizenship through marriage, we advise you to prepare for this change now by obtaining a B2 level language certificate. Our firm can assist you in preparing and compiling your application to maximize your chances of success. Our goal is to render the process as smooth and efficient as possible for you. We specialize in assisting and supporting foreign residents who wish to become French citizens by marriage and are used to navigating the unique issues that arise for couples residing outside of France seeking to apply for French citizenship by marriage.