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Article 333 of the French Civil Code

Where possession of status is in accordance with the title, only the child, one of his father and mother or the person claiming to be the real parent may bring an action. The action is time-barred after five years from the day on which possession of status ceased or from the death of the parent whose parent-child relationship is disputed.

No one, with the exception of the public prosecutor, may contest filiation where possession of status in accordance with the title has lasted for at least five years since birth or recognition, if this was made subsequently.

Original in French 🇫🇷
Article 333

Lorsque la possession d’état est conforme au titre, seuls peuvent agir l’enfant, l’un de ses père et mère ou celui qui se prétend le parent véritable. L’action se prescrit par cinq ans à compter du jour où la possession d’état a cessé ou du décès du parent dont le lien de filiation est contesté.

Nul, à l’exception du ministère public, ne peut contester la filiation lorsque la possession d’état conforme au titre a duré au moins cinq ans depuis la naissance ou la reconnaissance, si elle a été faite ultérieurement.

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