Dual Citizenship After Naturalization: Should You Notify Your Home Country's Consulate?

Dual citizenship after naturalization: do you need to notify your consulate?

No, French law does not require you to notif

What French law says about holding more than one nationality

As a rule, French law does not require you to give up your original nationality in order to be naturalized. Being French and holding another nationality is therefore not prohibited by France.

The effect of the naturalization decree is a matter of French law alone. It takes effect under French rules, regardless of the other country's position.

What the other country thinks is a separate question. It depends on its own law (see the next section).

This overview is general information only. To find out what applies to you, check it against the texts published in the Journal Officiel (JORF). AlertJO never alters the content of decrees and is not affiliated with Légifrance.

Why everything depends on the law of your country of origin

Each country alone decides who its nationals are. France cannot determine on your behalf what your country of origin provides. Its legislation determines whether nationality is lost, retained, or must be declared after naturalization abroad.

A bilateral convention (an agreement between France and another country) may also apply. It may cover dual nationality or military obligations, for example. It does not exist for every country.

Distinguish between two levels:

• What is written: the nationality code, laws and published conventions.
• What is observed in practice: how a consulate applies the rules, which may vary or change over time.

For the legal texts, rely on the official sources of your country of origin. Accounts of other people's experiences are only indications, not rules.

The possible situations depending on your country of origin

Your country of origin generally falls into one of these three categories:

• it allows dual nationality without any formalities;
• it requires a declaration, an authorization or compliance with a deadline;
• it provides for automatic loss of the original nationality.

Identify which one applies to you before contacting the consulate.

Dual nationality allowed without formalities

In this case, your country of origin recognizes multiple nationalities. Acquiring French nationality then involves no formalities: no declaration, no authorization, and no loss of your original nationality.

Don't rely on an impression or on advice from a friend or relative. Rules change and may have exceptions.

Check in writing with the consulate or the competent authority of that country. Keep the reply with your decree: it is the only reliable proof of what was confirmed to you.

Declaration or authorization required by the other country

Some countries accept multiple nationalities only if you report it. Their law may provide for a mandatory declaration, prior authorization or a deadline to meet after you acquire French nationality.

Failing to complete this formality can have consequences, which only the other country defines.

This is where the consulate becomes useful:

• it explains the procedure and the documents required;
• it specifies the applicable deadline;
• it confirms whether the formality applies to your situation.

Ask for a written reply and keep it.

Automatic loss of the original nationality

Some countries provide that their nationals lose their nationality as soon as they acquire another. In that case, the loss of nationality may occur automatically, without any action on your part.

What this means for you should be checked before the decree is published:

• the validity of your passport from your country of origin;
• your residence or property rights in that country;
• travel formalities.

This rule is set out in the law of the country concerned. Ask its consulate for it in writing.

Should you contact the consulate before or after the decree is published?

Both moments are useful. Finding out about the rules of your country of origin while you wait helps you understand them. Taking action with the consulate, however, generally comes after the decree is published in the Journal Officiel.

Before: get informed

Consult the consulate's website and the legal texts of your country of origin. This will tell you whether a declaration, an authorization or a deadline exists. This is only about gathering information, not starting a procedure.

After: take action

Once the decree has been published, you have a reference document for your procedures.

No publication date and no timeframe are guaranteed. The wait can be long, but it is not an emergency: getting the information ahead of time is enough.

Step-by-step: how to check your obligations

Here are the steps to follow, in order, to check your obligations.

1. Consult the website of the consulate of your country of origin. Look for sections on "nationality" or "acquiring another nationality".
2. Gather your documents: ID, birth certificate, ministerial number (REZE) and, later, the naturalization decree.
3. Request a written reply by email or post. It is better than a verbal exchange, because you will be able to refer back to it.
4. Keep the decree or the extract published in the Journal Officiel (JORF), together with the reply you received.
5. Note the deadlines given by the other country, along with their starting point.

These steps do not depend on any publication date, and you can start them while you wait. AlertJO is not affiliated with consulates or French administrations.

Passport, civil status, military obligations: the practical effects

A few practical points should be checked, depending on your situation.

• Passport: your country of origin may require you to use it to enter. Ask its consulate before you travel.
• Civil status: the transcription of your birth certificate is handled by the competent French authorities. Your country of origin may ask you to update its own register.
• Military service: the other country may maintain an obligation. Confirm this with its authorities.
• Inheritance: the rules depend on the applicable laws. A notary can advise you.

These points are not detailed with figures here and do not replace a written reply from the competent authority.

Tracking your decree with the REZE number and staying in control of your data

The REZE number is the ministerial number assigned to your file. It follows the format year + letter + six digits, for example 2026X 012345.

With it, you can:

• run a free search in the public data of the Journal Officiel (JORF), distributed by the DILA and Légifrance;
• activate an email alert, for a one-time payment, to be notified if your number appears.

No publication date is guaranteed.

AlertJO is not affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior, the SDANF, the prefectures or Légifrance. We do not collect the names of any naturalized persons. You can delete your data at any time (GDPR).