Verify my eligibility for French residency rights
This questionnaire has been designed to help you determine the reasons or “fondements” that could…
Residency rights for parents of French children
A residence permit or “titre de séjour” can be issued if you are the parent of at least one French child under the age of 18 who lives in France and if you contribute to their maintenance and education.
Verified by FNCIDFF on 29/11/2023
Conditions
You must meet all of these conditions:
- You are the parent of at least one French child who lives in France.
- Your child must be under 18 years of age when the first application for a residence permit or “titre de séjour” is made.
- You must have been involved in the upbringing and education of your child since birth or for at least two years.
- If your child is French by their other parent and you do not live together, the other parent must also be involved in the upbringing and education of the child.
Applicable law: L.423–7 to L.423–10 of the “CESEDA”.
Evidence to provide
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If your child lives with you, this condition is already covered.
If your child does not live with you, evidence of care will need be provided, such as:
- account statements showing bank transfers to the account of the parent with whom the child resides
- receipts and bills for purchases made for your child (clothing, food, nappies, toys, etc.) with your name on them if possible
- testimonials or certificates from the other parent, relatives, or your child’s school stating that you pick up or drop off your child.
- a certificate from a doctor or from the maternal protection service known as “Protection maternelle et infantile (PMI)”.
- any other elements of proof you can think of.
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If you need to prove that the other parent is involved in the upbringing and education of your child, you can provide the following, for example:
- the same forms of proof as listed above
- a decision issued by the family court judge or “juge aux affaires familiales (JAF)” setting out measures relating to child custody or “modalités d’exercice de l’autorité parentale” (even if these measures are not respected by the other parent, for example, if they fail to pay child support).
If you do not have proof of the involvement of the other parent in the upbringing and education of your child or of a court decision, the local French administrative authority responsible for examining applications for a “titre de séjour”, known as the “préfecture”, might still examine your personal situation and the interests of the child in order to grant you residency rights anyway.
Applicable law: Articles L.423–7 to L.423–11 of the “CESEDA”.
Type of “titre de séjour” or residence permit issued
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You are entitled to a temporary residence card or “carte de séjour temporaire” stating “vie privée et familiale” or private and family life. It is valid for one year. It allows you to work.
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Your residence card or “carte de séjour” can be renewed if you continue to meet the conditions, even if your child is over 18 at the time of renewal.
You will now be eligible for a multi-year residence card or “carte de séjour pluriannuelle” valid for two years, if you request one. To do this, you must also have signed an immigrant integration contract with the French state known as the “Contrat d’Intégration Républicaine (CIR)” and comply with its commitments.
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After three years of official residence as a parent of a French child, you will be entitled to a “carte de résident” valid for ten years.
You must still meet the conditions required for the first residence permit or “titre de séjour” issued. You must also have signed an immigrant integration contract with the French state known as the “Contrat d’Intégration Républicaine (CIR)” and comply with its commitments.
If you no longer meet these conditions but have lived in France for at least five years, or in some cases three years, you can still request a “carte de résident” if you meet certain conditions. Learn more.
If you have already obtained a “carte de résident”, it can be renewed on its expiry without conditions.
Algerian citizens
To apply for a “titre de séjour” on the basis of parentage of a French child, you must meet specific conditions:
- be the parent of at least one French child living in France and under 18 years of age at the time of the first application
- exercise at least part of the rights and duties towards the child, known as parental authority or “autorité parentale”, or have effectively supported the child’s needs since birth, or for at least one year.
You will receive an Algerian residence certificate or “certificat de résidence algérien” stating “vie privée et familiale” or private and family life, valid for one year. It allows you to work.
When it expires, you will receive an Algerian residence permit known as a “certificat de résidence algérien” valid for ten years, if you continue to meet the conditions for its initial issue. This “certificat” can then be renewed even if you no longer meet the conditions.
Applicable law: Article 6.4 of the Franco-Algerian Agreement of 27 December 1968 as amended.
Find support
In France, there are many services that can support you, give you advice, and assist you with procedures and paperwork. Most of them are free of charge.
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“La Cimade” is an organisation that specialises in supporting all immigrant and migrant people, and refugees in France, particularly people facing violence.
- This service is free of charge.
- They will be able to inform you and support you in your administrative procedures related to the right of residence in France, and direct you to other services depending on your personal situation.
- Languages available: French, English and Spanish.
- Contact :
- without an appointment at a centre near you
- by telephone on 01 40 08 05 34 or 06 77 82 79 09 on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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“Gisti” is an organisation specialising in legal advice to immigrants and refugees in France.
- This service is free of charge.
- They will be able to inform you about your rights relating to your residency rights and explain how to obtain them.
- Language available: mainly French.
- Contact:
- By phone on +331 84 60 90 26 from Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and also from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday. The line is sometimes saturated, do not be discouraged. It is sometimes easier to reach them towards the end of the day.
- By post to “Gisti, 3 villa Marcès 75011 Paris, France”. Print and complete this form and include in your letter with a photocopy of any administrative documents that could be relevant. Be sure to specify your question as clearly as possible, including all elements that could help the “Gisti” advisor to understand your situation.
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“Associations” are organisations that offer various services. Some are specialised in immigration.
- These services are free of charge.
- They can inform you about your rights in France, and sometimes support you with immigration procedures.
- Language available: mainly French.
- Contact: you can search by region and department in this directory.
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Authorised associations or “associations habilitées” can offer highly specialised services to asylum seekers.
- These services are free of charge.
- They can inform you about your rights, advise you, support you in your administrative procedures and come with you to your meeting with the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons or “Office français de la protection des réfugiés et des apatrides (OFPRA)”.
- Language available: mainly French, interpretation possible.
- Contact: you can find a “associations habilitées” near you in this directory.
While the utmost care has gone into providing you with the most accurate and up to date information, this page is not intended to replace legal or professional advice. Laws and procedures change regularly so it is important to consult qualified professionals.
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