Paragraph 3: Acquisition of French nationality by birth and residence in France

Any child born in France of foreign parents acquires French nationality on coming of age if, on that date, he or she has his or her residence in France and has had his or her habitual residence in France for a continuous or discontinuous period of at least five years, since the age of eleven. The judicial courts, local authorities, public bodies and services, and in particular educational establishments, are…

The interested party has the option of declaring, under the conditions provided for in articles 26 et seq and provided that he proves that he has the nationality of a foreign State, that he declines French nationality in the six months preceding his majority or in the twelve months following it. In the latter case, he is deemed never to have been French.

Any person who fulfils the conditions set out in article 21-7 to acquire French nationality loses the option of declining it if he or she enlists in the French armed forces. Any minor born in France of foreign parents, who is regularly enlisted as a recruit, acquires French nationality on the date of his enlistment.

The provisions of articles 21-7 to 21-9 do not apply to children born in France to diplomatic agents and career consuls of foreign nationality. However, these children have the option of voluntarily acquiring French nationality in accordance with the provisions of article 21-11 hereinafter.

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…