Can my minor children become French citizens?

If you live in France with your children, you may be wondering whether they can become French.

You may have heard that being born in France is enough to become French. But is this really the case?

Today we're going to clear things up: when does a child born in France become French? And if it's not automatic, what can you do to make sure they become French?

Droit du sol in France: How does it work?

Droit du sol means that a person can obtain the nationality of the country where he or she was born. In some countries, such as the United States, all you have to do to become a citizen is to be born there.

In France, it's more complex: droit du sol does exist, but it's subject to certain conditions.

Contrary to popular belief, simply being born on French soil is not enough to automatically become French. Here are the main cases where it applies:

• Case n°01, If you were born in France and your parents were also born in France, you are French at birth.
• Case n°02, If you were born in France to foreign parents born abroad : You can become French when you turn 18 if you meet the following conditions:
• You are residing in France at the time of your majority.
• You have lived in France for at least five years since the age of 11.

It's also possible to apply for French nationality at the age of 13, if you've been living in France since you were 8.

• If the child was born in Mayotte (French territory), additional conditions apply. At least one of your parents must have resided regularly and uninterruptedly in France for more than three months before the birth, or at least one of your parents must have resided regularly in France since your 11th birthday.

Update : For Mayotte, a regular 12-month presence period would be expected for parents at the child's birth (response from the Constitutional Council expected in May 2025).

As you can see, “droit du sol” in France is not automatic. You have to meet specific criteria to obtain French nationality. These conditions are designed to ensure that people who acquire French nationality are well integrated and have a real link with the country.

👉 So no, being born in France isn't always enough to be French. What if your child doesn't meet these criteria? There is another solution.

Can my children become French if I become a naturalized citizen?

If your child was not born in France or does not meet the above criteria, your own naturalization may allow him to become French.

📌 If you become French by decree, your minor children also become French – provided they live with you permanently or alternately (in the event of separation).

💡 In practical terms, this means that if you apply for naturalization and your application is accepted, your minor child can also become French without having to wait until he or she turns 18!

👉 Many parents are unaware of this and miss out on an opportunity.

Why is understanding these rules important for your project?

Knowing these rules can help you avoid many mistakes that could delay or compromise your project or your ambitions for your children. Here are the 3 most common mistakes :

• Missing or incomplete documents due to misinterpretation of criteria → Many applicants believe that simply residing in France for a few years is enough, and do not provide all the documents needed to prove their continuous residence in France or their parents' residency status. Not being able to demonstrate continuous residence in France is one of the main reasons for refusal. Make sure you keep all documents proving your presence in France.
• Ignoring conditions specific in Mayotte → The conditions there are different, and some people forget to check the parents' residence criteria.
• Do not include your children in your application for naturalization → If your child is not mentioned, he or she cannot become French with you.

If you want your child to become French, your own naturalization is often the key. But it's important not to make any mistakes in the process.

📩 In my Last Post on “Naturalization and mistakes to avoid, I explain in detail the most common mistakes that make people miss the opportunity to become French.

If you don't want to miss a thing, join the community → here. I regularly share free-practical tips to help with your procedures and stay in France.​

Speak soon,

Jeremy | Way 2 France