Acquiring french nationality by marrige

[sadat]

Basically I have been married French national 2005 and I was living outside France for the whole period, at the moment it's 6 years and 9 months of marriage life. Can you pls help me to get French citizenship and what are the documents needed. And I got 2 children and I am living in London for last 5 years.

[_Sarah_]

You have been married long enough to apply, but make sure the marriage has been registered in France, as that is one of the requirements.

Marriage actually doesn't mean that your application for citizenship will be automatic. Most importantly you have to speak a good level of French, and some members here have said that there is now an exam to pass. Secondly, I'm not sure you can apply if you are not living in France, "Vous devez être en situation de séjour régulier en France":
Acquisition de la nationalité française par mariage : conditions - Service-public.fr

Other members will give more details to help, you can also read the linked page for more information.

Edit: I just found the link to some more detailed information about the language level needed: http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/F11926.xhtml
You need to prove that you have at least a level B1 in French (this is the level system: A1,A2,B1,B2,C1,C2). To prove this you need to have either one of these:
- un diplôme français de niveau égal ou supérieur au brevet des collèges, délivré en France ou à l'étranger ou le diplôme d'études en langue française (DELF) de niveau B1
(This certificate is given if you pass the DELF B1 exam, which has a writing and speaking section, you can do the exam in France or overseas in any test centre)
- une attestation délivrée depuis moins de 2 ans par un organisme doté du label "Français langue d'intégration" (FLI) ou agrée par le ministère de l'intérieur, de l'outre-mer, des collectivités territoriales et de l'immigration. (not too sure what how you get this certificate, maybe someone has done it)

[sadat]

Thanks Sarah.

Is there any chance I can get all the document apply thro online to get the latest copy.

[_Sarah_]

Here is the link with all of the obligatory documents you'll need, it does say you can apply at the French consulate where you live overseas:
Acquisition de la nationalité française par mariage : dépôt de la déclaration - Service-public.fr

Scroll down to where it says "Pièces communes à toutes les situations" and everything under that as well as "Pièces spécifiques à chaque situation" is relevant.

You should note for the language requirement that you will need to pass the B1 exam; it says that your level of French can be assessed through an interview only if you are elderly, handicapped, or sick.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by sadat

Thanks Sarah.

Is there any chance I can get all the document apply thro online to get the latest copy.

If I understand your question correctly, no you cannot apply for nationality online. If you're living outside France, you must apply through the French consulate and they almost always make you put in a personal appearance to deposit your dossier. There are also usually one or two interviews involved in the process.

The determining factor is whether or not you are adequately "assimilated" into the French community. This is determined by your demonstrating the required level of French language skills (now subject to a standardized test) and you'll need to provide proof of involvement in "the French community" where you are living. Being a member of a French club or association helps. Having contact with your spouse's French family helps. (If your children are with your French spouse, they are already French.)

And of course, you have to prove the continuity of the marriage - they look for property owned in common, bills addressed to both of you, stuff like that. You'll have to have a livret de famille, so if you don't have that, getting it is the first step and that can take some time. And they will ask for your spouse's carte d'identité - if it isn't up to date, applying for that through the French Consulate is something else to do before you start the paper chase for the other documents you'll need.
Cheers,
Bev

[sadat]

Thanks Bev
Just for clarification after continuous marriage life about 6 yrs and 9 months outside France. Is that acceptable. 5yrs and 5 months in London.

[sadat]

Originally Posted by sadat

Thanks Bev
Just for clarification after continuous marriage life about 6 yrs and 9 months outside France. Is that acceptable. 5yrs and 5 months in London.

Never been to France ??

[Bevdeforges]

Take a look at this page on Service Public: Acquisition de la nationalité française - Service-public.fr

There are three dossiers under the heading Nationalité Française par mariage and those outline all the requirements. Last time I checked, you needed 5 years of marriage to a French national living outside of France.

Never having been to France might be a slight impediment. Get your French spouse to take you and the kids for a holiday in France at least. It will look much better on your application if you can comment on how much you like the French countryside or French cuisine or whatever.
Cheers,
Bev

[sainfrance]

Just a comment here - I have been married to a frenchman for 12 years, one child together, always lived outside of France until Dec 2011. Before that, we have been here 5 or 6 times for a visit. 12 years marriage is not enough for french nationality - I still need to do all the OFII paperwork and as mentioned earlier have to get a B1 in language.

[sadat]

Originally Posted by sainfrance

Just a comment here - I have been married to a frenchman for 12 years, one child together, always lived outside of France until Dec 2011. Before that, we have been here 5 or 6 times for a visit. 12 years marriage is not enough for french nationality - I still need to do all the OFII paperwork and as mentioned earlier have to get a B1 in language.

Thanks for your info, I am not clear why you haven't got nationality? Because of Delf language certificate or anything else