Voluntary loss of French nationality
Verified 28 février 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
By declaration
You must make a declaration of loss of French nationality if you are in one of the following situations.
By Order in Council
If you do not meet the conditions to make a declaration of loss of French nationality, you can request permission to lose it by decree (procedure called liberation of bonds of allegiance to France).
Step-by-step approach
You can apply for permission to lose French nationality if you meet the following conditions:
- Proof of your French nationality
- Proof of a foreign nationality at the date of your application
- Have the legal capacity
This procedure is called liberation of bonds of allegiance to France.
If you are under the age of 16, you must be represented by your legal representative.
You must build a folder with the following documents:
- Application Form cerfa no. 16098, completed, dated and signed
- Copy of ID
- Certificate of French nationality or any document indicating that you are French
- Full copy of your birth certificate
- Proof of your foreign nationality
- Proof of residence
- If necessary, proof of payment of taxes (tax status report)
The request for the release of bonds of allegiance is individual.
It is necessary to provide one form per minor child.
If the child is 13 years or older, he must indicate his agreement on the form.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You live in France
You have to go to the platform for access to French nationality, which depends on where you live.
According to the platforms, the file must be deposited at the counter or sent by post in RAR: titleContent.
Click the interactive map to find out what you need to do.
Please note
if your request is to be sent by mail, add a stamped envelope to your file at your address and a blank 500-gram "followed" letter.
Who shall I contact
You live abroad
You must contact the consular authority on which you are territorially dependent.
Who shall I contact
If the liberation of ties of allegiance is granted, the measure shall be taken by decree published in Official Journal.
One magnification of the decree is addressed to you.
The loss of French nationality takes effect on the date of the order.
The decision is strictly personal : it has no effect on your family members.
The loss of NF does not affect your status as a Frenchman for the years prior to the decision taking effect.
The decision to refuse is yours notified.
It must be reasoned.
You can make a administrative appeal to the minister responsible for naturalization and/or judicial remedy before the administrative court of Nantes.
Who shall I contact
Ministry of the Interior - Naturalization
By mail
Ministry of the Interior
Directorate-General for foreigners in France
Directorate for Integration and Access to Nationality
Sub-Directorate for Access to French Nationality
12 Francis-le-Carval Street
44404 REZÉ CEDEX
By email
sdanf-accueil@interieur.gouv.fr
Repudiation of French nationality of origin (Article 18(1))
Repudiation of French nationality of origin (Article 19(4))
French nationality of origin
Renunciation of French nationality acquired for the benefit of collective effect (Article 22(3))
Loss of French nationality by voluntary acquisition of another nationality (Article 23), application for authorization to lose NF (Article 23-4), repudiation of NF following marriage to a foreigner (Article 23-5)
Declarations of nationality
Application for authorization to lose the status of French (Articles 53 & 54)
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr