Call Us + 33 1 84 88 31 00

Article 21-11 of the French Civil Code

A minor child born in France to foreign parents may, from the age of sixteen, claim French nationality by declaration, under the conditions set out in articles 26 et seq if, at the time of his declaration, he has his residence in France and has had his habitual residence in France for a continuous or discontinuous period of at least five years, since the age of eleven.

Under the same conditions, French nationality may be claimed, on behalf of a minor child born in France to foreign parents, from the age of thirteen, in which case the condition of habitual residence in France must be met from the age of eight. The minor’s consent is required, unless he or she is prevented from expressing his or her wishes by an impairment of his or her mental or physical faculties established in accordance with the procedures set out in the third paragraph of article 17-3.

Original in French 🇫🇷
Article 21-11

L’enfant mineur né en France de parents étrangers peut à partir de l’âge de seize ans réclamer la nationalité française par déclaration, dans les conditions prévues aux articles 26 et suivants si, au moment de sa déclaration, il a en France sa résidence et s’il a eu sa résidence habituelle en France pendant une période continue ou discontinue d’au moins cinq ans, depuis l’âge de onze ans.

Dans les mêmes conditions, la nationalité française peut être réclamée, au nom de l’enfant mineur né en France de parents étrangers, à partir de l’âge de treize ans, la condition de résidence habituelle en France devant alors être remplie à partir de l’âge de huit ans. Le consentement du mineur est requis, sauf s’il est empêché d’exprimer sa volonté par une altération de ses facultés mentales ou corporelles constatée selon les modalités prévues au troisième alinéa de l’article 17-3.

Need help with this article? Get help from a French lawyer

Our French business lawyers are here to help.
We offer a FREE evaluation of your case.
Call us at +33 (0) 1 84 88 31 00 or send us an email.

Useful links

You have a question in French Business Law?

Our French business lawyers are here to help.
We offer a FREE evaluation of your case.
Call +33 (0) 1 84 88 31 00 or send us an email.

All information exchanged through this website will be communicated to lawyers registered with a French Bar and will remain confidential.