French nationality of a child collected or entrusted to the child welfare system

Verified 24 October 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Do you collect a child and want to know if he automatically acquires French nationality? We tell you what information to know depending on whether the child is collected by a French or entrusted to the Children's Welfare Agency (Ase).

Child taken in

Step-by-step approach

The following conditions must be met:

  • The child must be a minor (under 18 years of age) on the day of the declaration of French nationality
  • The child must be, for at least 3 years, collected by decision of the court and high by a Frenchman.

FYI  

The child received may become French by the age of majority if he or she completes the conditions for automatic acquisition of french nationality. If this is not the case, it may, subject to conditions, to acquire french nationality by naturalization.

The child picked up dates and signs the declaration of French nationality if he or she is 16 years of age or older.

The legal representative of the child taken into care dates and signs the declaration if the child is under 16 years of age, or if the child is under guardianship, or if a disability prevents him from expressing his will.

Documents to be provided

The documents to be provided are as follows:

  • Application for French nationality on free paper
    The application must state the name, forename, date and place of birth, place of residence of the minor and, if necessary, of his or her legal representatives. It is useful to specify an address, a phone number and an email address.
    The graft draw up the declaration of French nationality, in two copies.
  • Justification for the collection in France.

About the child being collected

  • Full copy of birth certificate
  • Proof of identity. For example, Republican identity card, foreigner passport, school card.
  • Proof of domicile
  • Recent photo ID
  • Proof of residence in France
  • Certified true copy of the decision to delegate parental authority if the child is under 16 years of age.

About the Collector

Of additional documents may be requested by the department responsible for processing your request.

Instructions on the documents to be provided

Translation

Each document drawn up in a foreign language must be accompanied by a translation, in original version. The translation must be done by a translator on the list of experts approved by the courts of appeal.

However, translation is not required for a multilingual extract of a birth certificate in which one of the languages is french. In addition, to avoid having to translate certain documents issued by a country of the European Union, one multilingual form can be attached. See the e-justice site for more information.

Legalization or Apostille

Certain documents established abroad must be legalized or apostilles to be accepted in France. Inquire at the embassy or consulate of the country concerned.

In France

The application for French nationality must be submitted to the court or tribunal in the vicinity of the minor's place of residence.

You can submit your file or send it by mail.

Who shall I contact

One receipt is sent to you when the file is complete.

Abroad

Applications for French nationality should be sent to the French Consulate-General.

You can submit your file or send it by mail.

One receipt is sent to you when the file is complete.

The court of justice will notify its decision reasoned Refusal.

You can appeal within 6 months from the date of notification.

The notification shall indicate how to appeal.

The lawyer is obligatory. He's the one who does the walk.

If there is no response within 6 months depending on the date of the receipt, this means that the declaration of french nationality of the child collected is recorded (accepted).

The declaration of French nationality shall take effect on the date on which it was made.

You will receive a copy of the return with the mention of registration.

You can request a identity card and a passport for the minor collected.

Child entrusted to Asia

Step-by-step approach

The following conditions must be met:

  • The child must be a minor (under 18 years of age) on the day of the declaration of French nationality
  • The child must be, for at least 3 years, entrusted child welfare (Ase).

FYI  

The child entrusted to Asia can become French by his majority if he fulfills the conditions for automatic acquisition of french nationality. If this is not the case, it may, subject to conditions, to acquire french nationality by naturalization.

The child dates and signs the declaration of French nationality if he or she is 16 years of age or older.

The legal representative of the child dates and signs the declaration if the child is under 16 years of age, or if the child is under guardianship, or if a disability prevents him from expressing his will.

Documents to be provided

The documents to be provided are as follows:

  • Application for French nationality on free paper
    The application must state the name, forename, date and place of birth, place of residence of the minor and, if necessary, of his or her legal representatives. It is useful to specify an address, a phone number and an email address.
    The graft draw up the declaration of French nationality, in two copies.
  • Copy of the decision of the President of the General Council implementing an administrative protection measure (reception of the minor) or certified copy of the court decision ordering the placement of the minor.

Concerning the child entrusted to Asia

  • Full copy of birth certificate
  • Proof of identity. For example, Republican identity card, foreigner passport, school card.
  • Proof of domicile
  • Recent photo ID
  • Proof of residence in France
  • Certified true copy of the decision to delegate parental authority if the child is under 16 years of age.

Of additional documents may be requested by the department responsible for processing your request.

Instructions on the documents to be provided

Translation

Each document drawn up in a foreign language must be accompanied by a translation, in original version. The translation must be done by a translator on the list of experts approved by the courts of appeal.

However, translation is not required for a multilingual extract of a birth certificate in which one of the languages is french. In addition, to avoid having to translate certain documents issued by a country of the European Union, one multilingual form can be attached. See the e-justice site for more information.

Legalization or Apostille

Certain documents established abroad must be legalized or apostilles to be accepted in France. Inquire at the embassy or consulate of the country concerned.

In France

The application for French nationality must be submitted to the court or tribunal in the vicinity of the minor's place of residence.

You can submit your file or send it by mail.

Who shall I contact

One receipt is sent to you when the file is complete.

Abroad

Applications for French nationality should be sent to the French Consulate-General.

You can submit your file or send it by mail.

One receipt is sent to you when the file is complete.

The court of justice will notify its decision reasoned Refusal.

You can appeal within 6 months from the date of notification.

The notification shall indicate how to appeal.

The lawyer is obligatory. He's the one who does the walk.

If there is no response within 6 months depending on the date of the receipt, this means that the declaration of French nationality of the child entrusted to Asia is recorded (accepted).

The declaration of French nationality shall take effect on the date on which it was made.

You will receive a copy of the return with the mention of registration.

You can request a identity card and a passport for the minor entrusted to Asia.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region