Book I: Individuals

In this title, majority and minority have the same meaning as in French law.

For the determination, at any time, of the French territory, account shall be taken of modifications resulting from acts of the French public authority taken in application of the Constitution and laws, as well as from international treaties previously entered into. .

The effects on French nationality of annexations and cessions of territories are governed by the following provisions, in the absence of treaty stipulations.

Nationals of the ceding State domiciled in the annexed territories on the day of the transfer of sovereignty acquire French nationality, unless they effectively establish their domicile outside these territories. Subject to the same reservation, French nationals domiciled in the ceded territories on the day of the transfer of sovereignty lose this nationality. .

The effects on French nationality of the accession to independence of former overseas departments or territories of the Republic are determined in Chapter VII of this Title. .

The provisions of Article 17-8 apply, by way of interpretation, to changes of nationality resulting from annexations and cessions of territories resulting from treaties prior to 19 October 1945. However, foreign persons who were domiciled in the territories retroceded by France, in accordance with the Treaty of Paris of 30 May 1814 and who, following this treaty, transferred their domicile to France, could only acquire French nationality on this basis…

Without prejudice to the interpretation given to previous agreements, a change of nationality may not, under any circumstances, result from an international convention unless that convention expressly so provides.

Where a change of nationality is subject, under the terms of an international convention, to the performance of an act of option, the form of that act is determined by the law of the contracting country in which it is instituted.