No its not true ,many couples apply at different times.

 

Doesn't the wife of a French citizen have a requirement of a minimum A2 level French?

 

According to the Service-Public website, the minimum level is B1:
Vous faites une déclaration de nationalité française par mariage
Pour faire une déclaration de nationalité française par mariage, vous devez justifier une connaissance de la langue française à l'oral et à l'écrit au moins égale au niveau B1 du cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues (CERL).

 

I was going to apply just myself but a friend told me that this is not a good idea because the French govt will not understand when applying for nationality why one is applyin and not the other and hence will reject the application. Is this true?

In agreement with jeliecrack above, both partners do not have to apply at the same time. Like your wife, for language level reasons, my husband was not ready to apply when I did and I am now French. Based on the experience of others that I've read about on a social media group dealing with naturalization, it's a common situation that's easily explained and understood by the immigration officer.
For your second question: Here's an English translation I found online from the French Civil code that seems to address your question about children. I found the same information in French on the Service-Public website.
When both parents become naturalized French citizens:

• Article 22-1 of the French Civil Code states that when both parents acquire French nationality, their minor children who are habitually residing with them also automatically become French citizens, provided this is mentioned in the naturalization decree.

When only one parent becomes a naturalized French citizen:

• Article 22-2 of the French Civil Codeaddresses this situation. A minor child can become French if only one parent acquires French nationality, but there are conditions:
  • The child must habitually reside with the parent who acquired French nationality.
  • The child's name must be explicitly mentioned in the naturalization decree of that parent.

 

And just for future reference, the language level requirements (for cartes de séjour, naturalization and probably other things) are in the process of changing (i.e. being bumped up at least one level in most cases - B2 for naturalization), effective in 2026. People are being advised that, if you are eligible to naturalize, get your application in and accepted NOW to take advantage of the slightly lower language levels.

Also, even if your 5 year old somehow misses out on getting citizenship as part of your application, the process becomes a whole bunch easier once the child hits the age of 14 (I think it is - may change by then) and has been attending school in for a certain number of years.

 

For non-French nationals, you're going to have to wait until Sept 2027 to apply for naturalization. (And for a carte de resident, too.) At the moment, the first application for a carte de resident requires an A2 level of French. Carte de résident : comment justifier de votre connaissance du français ?

There is talk of further changes to the language level, so keep checking Service Public as you get closer to the time when you can apply.

 

And the OP will either have to continue to apply for 1 year renewals or a carte de résident post the date he is eligible to apply for citizenship because of the time it takes for naturalisation to be awarded (if it is awarded - the only current right is to make an application).

 

Hi. Can anyone recommend a good immigration lawyer in the Paris area? The process and requirements seem a bit complicated with a lot of things I need to consider (and evolving), so I’d really like to make sure everything is done correctly from the start. Feel free to message me privately. Thank you!

 

Not sure what you're expecting from an "immigration lawyer" - you're already settled in , aren't you? Are your primary concerns related to taking French nationality (with or without your wife doing the same at the same time)? I only mention this as I found that bringing in an attorney to what is generally considered to be a fairly straight forward istrative process can cause problems on its own.

You may want to get in touch with AARO, the US expat group in Paris. They have a rather "legal" focus - and seem to do more with coordination of US and French legalities (taxes, citizenship issues, etc.) than many of the other expat groups. There are also a number of attorneys who are of AARO who can advise you regarding your specific concerns on either an informal or a professional basis.

AARO - Association of Americans Resident Overseas

The Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO), founded in 1973 is a global, non-partisan, non-profit association with in over 40 countries.

www.aaro.org

But just that most French associations pretty much shut down over the summer. If you don't them this month, you should probably wait until September and La Rentrée.

 

Not sure what you're expecting from an "immigration lawyer" - you're already settled in , aren't you? Are your primary concerns related to taking French nationality (with or without your wife doing the same at the same time)? I only mention this as I found that bringing in an attorney to what is generally considered to be a fairly straight forward istrative process can cause problems on its own.

You may want to get in touch with AARO, the US expat group in Paris. They have a rather "legal" focus - and seem to do more with coordination of US and French legalities (taxes, citizenship issues, etc.) than many of the other expat groups. There are also a number of attorneys who are of AARO who can advise you regarding your specific concerns on either an informal or a professional basis.

AARO - Association of Americans Resident Overseas

The Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO), founded in 1973 is a global, non-partisan, non-profit association with in over 40 countries.

www.aaro.org

But just that most French associations pretty much shut down over the summer. If you don't them this month, you should probably wait until September and La Rentrée.

There are definitely law firms in that will hold your hand/guide you if you wish to apply for French citizenship and this can be very useful if you want to know the pros and cons for you and your family, as well as for ensuring that you submit the appropriate documentation. I don't see anything wrong with that.

 

I strongly recommend ing:

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=applying%20for%20french%20nationality

People there definitely consider a lawyer unnecessary for a regular application for nationality.
Applying for nationality you're essentially just gathering together the specified documents which, although it's time consuming, a lawyer can't really contribute much to.

 

I think this does depend on what your strengths and weaknesses are. Gathering the documents requires a sense of organisation, an ability to comply with a complicated set of bureaucratic requirements, patience reading the advice, careful co-ordination of time (making sure some documents were issued in the past three months, etc). If that is not your strength, I can see the benefit of having someone else organise it for you, and being there to check the documents over before submission.

 

It seems to me that in light of Bruno Retailleau new circular on naturalusation and all the new requirements and checks very few of those who became naturalised fairly recently would be successful come 1 January 2026, and not just because of the level B2 French language requirement. The new conditions are very tough.

I just hope gets rid of this illegitimate government in the immediate future.

 

Hi. Follow-up question. I took a B2 langauge class from an approved institution and I have a certificate of completion to prove it but it will be more than 2 years old by the time I apply for the citizenship ...will this be a problem as I read that the certfiicate must be less than 2 years old. Assuming this certificate is ok , do I still have to take one of the language tests like TCF or DELF? (or not necessary if I have this certificate of completion?). Thank you all.

 

You must have taken a language test, TCF or DELF, and ed as coursework certificates are not acceptable proof by the government.