Legal Question in Immigration Law in France

Re: French citizenship from french-born grandfather

Your question about obtaining French citizenship based on your grandfather's birth in France (derivative) should be addressed to a French lawyer as it is governed solely by the French nationality law.

You would also need to consider various aspects of being a dual citizen (I assume you are a U.S. citizen). It is generally possible to hold both French and the United States citizenships (without renouncing the original citizenship) but there may be tax and other consequences of doing so, depending on where you plan to reside and your income. In brief, United States taxes its citizens and residents on their worldwide income regardless of source or residence while France does not. You should also be aware that France has a mandatory military service requirement for males within a certain age group. Thus, you will be subject to both U.S. and French laws, which sometimes can make life complicated.

On the positive side, if you do succeed in obtaining French nationality, you would be allowed to live and work anywhere within the European Union.

This in in the nature of general information, is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. If you require U.S. legal advice or a referral to a French attorney, contact my office.

Re: French citizenship from french-born grandfather

If you are entitled to French nationality, it would not be through your grandfather but through either your mother or father. The initial question, then, is whether your father is/was a French national. Do you know the answer to that? Did he ever have a French passport? Is your father still alive? What nationality was your father's mother?