French Naturalisation: Complete NATALI File + Assimilation Interview Preparation
French naturalisation requires a minimum of 5 years of regular presence, a rigorous NATALI file and a decisive assimilation interview. FrenchPappers prepares your complete file, coaches you for the prefecture interview, and follows the processing through to the naturalisation decree. From 550 €, payment in 3 instalments.
Who is this service for?
The naturalisation application is for any foreign national who can prove regular presence and integration in France, and who wishes to become a French citizen.
- 5 years minimum of regular residence in France (or less in certain cases: spouse of a French citizen, veteran, graduate of a French institution…)
- B1 oral French level (TCF test required)
- Stable professional integration
- No serious criminal convictions
If you have not yet reached the 5 years, you will first need to consolidate your situation with a renewal or a change of status as a multi-year card. For a first arrival in France, see the First Application page.
How it works, step by step
- Free case assessment (24h) — an advisor analyses your eligibility: length of residence, resources, French level, integration, background.
- Secure payment — 1x, 3x or 4x via Stripe.
- Collection of documents (25 to 30 items) — personalised checklist including translated and apostilled civil status records.
- Building the NATALI file — verification, formatting, drafting of the cover letter and the integration record.
- Submission on the NATALI platform — secure, with an archived submission receipt.
- Assimilation interview preparation — personalised coaching on the typical questions (Marianne, republican values, anthem, history, rights and duties).
- Follow-up until the decree — Zero Abandonment Guarantee, no extra cost if additional documents are requested by the naturalisation sub-directorate.
Documents to prepare
The NATALI file requires around thirty documents. Here are the main categories.
Civil status
- Full copy of the birth certificate translated and apostilled (less than 6 months old)
- Marriage or PACS certificate translated and apostilled if applicable
- Birth certificates of minor children
- ID document from the country of origin
Proof of residence (last 5 years)
- Successive residence permits
- Annual proof of address (bills, leases, rent receipts)
- Certificates from the CAF, social security, children's schooling
Resources and professional integration
- Current employment contract and payslips for the last 3 years
- Tax notices for the last 3 years
- Certificate from Pôle Emploi if applicable
- For the self-employed: balance sheet, Kbis, URSSAF certificates
French level and integration
- TCF, DELF or DALF certificate at B1 level minimum (less than 2 years old)
- Diplomas obtained in France or abroad (translated)
- Certificate of completion of the Republican Integration Contract (CIR) if applicable
- Any document attesting to integration: community involvement, mandates, etc.
Criminal record and compliance
- Criminal record from the country of origin (less than 3 months old, translated and apostilled)
- French criminal record (bulletin no. 3)
- CERFA 12753 form duly completed
- Tax stamp of 55 €
Fees and guarantees
French Naturalisation
Law firm value: 1 500 €
From 550 €
- ✓ Payment in 3x or 4x with no fees
- ✓ Processing within 24 hours
- ✓ Zero Abandonment Guarantee
- ✓ Assimilation interview coaching included
- ✓ 10 languages spoken
Tax stamp of 55 €, translation and apostille fees at the applicant's expense, in addition to the support fee.
Real cases (anonymised)
P., 32 years old — 6 years in France, software engineer
NATALI file submitted with 25 documents, B1 level attested by TCF, stable tax notices. Assimilation interview passed after 9 months, naturalisation decree published 14 months after submission. FrenchPappers coaching on republican values and historical questions deemed decisive by P. himself.
T. — spouse of a French citizen for 4 years (4-years-of-marriage case)
Naturalisation by marriage after 4 years of union and shared life in France. File focused on shared life, integration and the household's tax compliance. Decree obtained 18 months after submission, with no request for additional documents.
K. — doctor with a French degree, 5 years of residence
Very favourable profile: French degree, stable hospital job, impeccable resources file. The challenge lay in the translation and apostille of foreign civil status records. File validated on the first attempt, interview passed, decree in 16 months.
Frequently asked questions
What are the conditions to apply for French naturalisation?
Main conditions: 5 years of regular residence in France (reduced to 2 years for certain profiles: graduates of a French higher education institution, native French speakers, services rendered to France…), a B1 oral French level attested by a TCF test, stable and sufficient resources, no serious criminal convictions, republican integration and assimilation into the French community.
What is the NATALI file?
NATALI is the digital platform for submitting naturalisation applications, which is progressively replacing paper submission at the prefecture. The file includes about 25 to 30 documents: translated and apostilled civil status records, proof of residence over 5 years, income, tax notices, integration, and the CERFA 12753 form.
How long does a naturalisation application take?
Expect between 18 and 24 months between submission and the naturalisation decree, depending on the prefectures and the workload of the naturalisation sub-directorate. The assimilation interview generally takes place 6 to 12 months after submission. The time is extended if additional documents are requested or if the file is poorly built.
How does the assimilation interview work?
The individual interview at the prefecture lasts 30 to 60 minutes. It assesses your command of French, your knowledge of the values and history of France, and your life project. FrenchPappers coaches you on the typical questions (Marianne, the motto, the anthem, rights and duties, republican values) and a structured set of answers.
What French level is required?
The B1 oral level has been required since 2020. You must provide a TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) certificate or a DELF/DALF less than 2 years old. Exempt are: holders of a French higher education degree, nationals of native French-speaking countries (as per the list), and people over 65 years of age.
Is FrenchPappers a law firm?
No. FrenchPappers is a private administrative assistance company, independent of any public authority. We are not lawyers and do not provide legal advice within the meaning of the bar. For an appeal following a refusal or an adjournment, we refer you to a partner lawyer in immigration law and nationality law.
Official sources and references
- Service-public.gouv.fr — Acquiring French nationality
- ANEF / NATALI — Official naturalisation platform
- Civil Code — Articles relating to French nationality
Last updated: 6 June 2026.