We Voted!

We voted this morning!

It was my first time voting in a French election, so I'm more excited than you might imagine 🙂

This is the first round of the presidential election; the second round will be in 2 weeks (assuming no one gets an outright majority, which isn't likely). Today, we had a choice of 12 candidates! (Read this France24 article for more info).

"To vote is a right; it is also a civic responsibility"

The election is only for president, so there isn't a long and involved ballot - here's all there is to it:

1. You show up, show your election card and ID, they check for your name on the list. If you're on it, they hand you an envelope
2. You pick up a piece of paper with the name of your choice (and any other red herrings you wish)
3. You go into a privacy booth, *fold* the paper of your choice, and put it in the envelope. You fold the flap into the envelope, but don't seal it.
4. You leave the booth, hand the envelope, your election card, and your ID to the agent. He reads off your number, another agent checks his list, confirms your name, and you sign.
5. Then the agent deposits your ballot in the box, stamps your election card, and proclaims to the room, "a VOTÉ!"

That's how it usually goes. For me? Obviously, I had to be different! When I got into the booth, I noticed that the envelope is smaller than the ballot - I definitely didn't want my vote to be ruined and declared invalid, so I stuck my head out, and asked if I should fold it 🙄 - yes, of course. So, when I handed my envelope in, I explained that it's my first time voting in France - oh boy, were there a ton of smiles then! Even a "bienvenue" (welcome)!

Welcome to French Nationality Ceremony

I went to my Welcome to French Nationality ceremony today!

I had been looking forward to this for so long! It was the final step in my path to becoming French - It was definitely moving. And now I'm having a hard time writing about it. Well, here goes!

Jumping right to the chase, here I am, receiving my "livret de nationalité," my nationality book - it's a folder with my declaration of nationality, a letter of welcome from President Macron, and copies of the constitution, the rights of man, and the charter of rights and responsibilities. And the words to La Marseillaise.

How it went:

The entire process was from 1:45 to 4pm. I decided to take the train, which I hadn't done in a loooong time (2-3 years?). I had forgotten some things, and *other* things had changed! So, I had a little added anxiety, but nothing serious 😏.

I had plenty of time, so I even got in a little art supply shopping! I arrived at the préfecture gate a little too early, so I walked around for a bit. I soaked up the city - it seems like every other trip to Montpellier had been a chore; now? Well, a bit of a chore, since there's an appointment, but mainly it's... a completion, a celebration even!

Back at the gate, I showed my invitation, and a whole bunch of us were brought in - first one waiting area, then another (and another LOL). Somewhere in the middle, I signed my declaration, gave my statement that I wanted to keep my US nationality, and turned in my titre de séjour (residence permit). I actually had a little problem writing! My hand was shaking! We eventually went up these stairs to the celebration room.

There were refreshment set out for later, and a video about France and being French was showing on a screen. There were a few officials (with medals!) waiting - no one approached them (I thought how great it would be to go up to one and chat. Hah!)

At 3pm, the video finished, and even more officials arrived (uniforms and sashes!). Then, Thierry Laurent, secrétaire général de la préfecture de l'Hérault, in full uniform, stepped to the podium. He gave a speech about the values of France, and how we are now a part of that.

He stepped away from the microphone, and we all joined him in singing the national anthem, La Marseillaise (remember, we haven't yet received our livrets, with that handy-dandy piece of paper with the lyrics! We were glad we had masks on! 🤪).

Then (!), they started passing out the livrets de nationalité - there were about 30 of us, and each town had a representative to help welcome its new citizens. They went by towns (and Sète was last, and there were 3 of us!). Each person went to the front when his name was called, shook hands with the officials, then received the livret, and had a chance to get a photo. There wasn't a lot of chit-chat, just a private sentence or two, but very friendly.

Once everyone had the livret, they rearranged a bit, and anyone who wanted another photo could get one. I snuck in for another "Marianne et moi" (here's my first one, in Costa Rica)

I had my photo including the citizen representative from Sète (in the sash).

Things segued into refreshments, and wound down.

This section of the préfecture building is much more elaborate and ceremonial (how appropriate!) than the more modern business area. I figured this might be my only chance to see it (and share it, of course!)

I was walking back to the train by 4 - I felt like a tourist, but with such a beautiful day, I had to take a few quick snaps...

I was relaxing on the train, just coming into Sète, and I saw the masts of the ships docked in the port - I suddenly had the strongest feeling of coming home...

~~~

Here's the entire saga, with links to posts for individual steps.

https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/01/julies-french-nationality.html

My Shiny New Passeport !

My new *French* passeport (passport 🙂), *and* French ID card arrived! 

I had a nice walk down to the Mairie (Town Hall, Mayor's office), and walked out again 10 minutes later, solid gold documents in hand!

They kept me up-to-date via text messages, so there was *zero* stress for this all-important aspect of French bureaucracy 🙂.

Now to start planning all those trips...

~~~

The entire nationality saga, beginning to end: https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/01/julies-french-nationality.html

I Can Vote!!!

 I can vote!!! In France! 

I'm French!!!

My first proof that I am French showed up this afternoon - It's my registration on the French electoral lists!

I had been checking, somewhat obsessively 🙄, this website (https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/services-en-ligne-et-formulaires/ISE)

Last night? Non! This afternoon? Oui!!

Wheee! Time to take the good champagne out of the fridge!

~~~

All the details of my application, and the process are here:

http://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/01/julies-french-nationality.html

French Nationality Progress!

 French Nationality Progress!

Or - Oh, the things you think you know...

And, Oh, how quickly things change!

It's amazing how much anxiety you can have when you don't know whether your dossier is continuing down the path, or whether it's been put on a shelf somewhere along the line. Everyone seems to feel this way (OK, there are a few exceptions...). So, naturally, we all grasp at information about *finding out!*

Waaay back at the end of 2019, there were various bits of advice on how to follow the progress of your dossier, your request for French nationality. Included:

1) when your dossier is accepted, you get a préfecture number. You refer to this for follow-ups.

2) note the tracking number of the envelope you included in your dossier; it is there for 2 reasons (1) to return your paperwork to you if it is insufficient, and (2) to forward your dossier to the interior minister for the next step. You can check on this via the website for La Poste.

3) some time after your préfecture interview, email SDANF, with a very specific format, and ask for your ministerial number. This tells you it has been sent to the next step, and the number gives you an idea of how much longer you have to wait. Sometimes, but not always, you will get an automatic email from SDANF when they receive your dossier, and you will have your ministerial number that way.

4) at some point, SDANF forwards your dossier to SCEC - they create your French birth certificate. They may contact you for clarifications, but not always. Once you have your ministerial number, you can email (BR2SCEC@diplomatie.gouv.fr) or call SCEC to find out if they have your dossier.

5) for requests by décret, the naturalizations are published in the Journal Officiel (JO) - the ministerial number contains a series number that indicates the timeframe that it was received by SDANF, and you can see the series numbers of those who have become French. If yours is close, you have some hope that yours will be soon.

6) Recently, the process changed so that new citizens are automatically entered on the electoral rolls. *And* there's a way to check your status online! Many people are finding out they are French because they receive their election cards well before they appear in the JO.

7) And, of course, you can follow others in the nationality forum, checking on timelines for people in a similar situation.

Well, times change.

1) I did get my préfecture number - because the préfectures were closed due to covid for 2-3 months in 2020, I didn't hear from them for 5 months (they're now back to 2 1/2 months). 

2) After my interview, I occasionally checked my tracking number - I always got this notice, basically saying that it hadn't been used. So, clearly that is not a valid method now.

3) I tried the format that others had used, but SDANF no longer allows the request for information on the current status of your dossier - two emails bounced (one bounced spectacularly, with 30+ auto-responses in my spam folder!), and one email remained unanswered. I waited a while longer, and finally used a different format, and mentioned that I wasn't sure they had my correct email address :-). This morning, I got a reply! According to the series number (2021 - 006), my dossier had in fact been forwarded very soon after my préfecture interview! Whew!

4) I haven't heard from SCEC, and I probably won't contact them.

5) I checked the latest JO, and saw a few from my series. Since my request is by déclaration (marriage to a French national), I won't be listed there - but now I know that some people in my timeframe are done.

6) I have been checking for my name on the electoral rolls periodically, so we'll see... Today, no: 

7) The latest data point is from an e-friend who had her interview about a month before mine, and is now French! So, I'm hoping to hear any day now...

~~~

~~~

links to recent JOs: https://www.easytrangers.com/t/liste-des-decrets-de-naturalisation-2021/6199

electoral rolls website: 

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/services-en-ligne-et-formulaires/ISE

~~~

SDANF email format that worked (DD/MM/YYYY is birth date):

Sujet : 

[préfecture number]-[SURNAME]-[FirstName]-DD/MM/YYYY-envoi de pièces/renseignements complémentaires 

Pour : sdanf-accueil@interieur.gouv.fr

Bonjour,

Je me permets de vous contacter concernant ma demande de naturalisation par déclaration.

Je souhaiterais savoir si mon dossier a été transmis à votre bureau d'accès à la nationalité française, et connaitre si possible mon numéro ministériel s'il vous plait ?

Numéro préfectoral :  [préfecture number]

Nom, Prénom : XXX, Julie [middle name]

Date de naissance : dd month yyyy

Entretien d’assimilation : dd month 2021

Adresse e-mail : Je ne suis pas sûr que vous ayez mon adresse e-mail correcte - c'est mon nom, tout ensemble, alors, J...@GMAIL.COM

Je vous remercie par avance et je reste à votre disposition pour toute information complémentaire.

Bien cordialement,

Julie XXX

~~~

My post on my dossier, timeline, and links to all updates is here:

http://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/01/julies-french-nationality.html

Julie's French Nationality Interview

Julie's French Nationality Interview

Yesterday, we both went to the Montpellier préfecture for my French nationality interview! This is the most important (and stressful) step in the nationality process - SPOILER ALERT! - it went well!

Marianne and me, 11 years ago!

On to the details! 

The Prep

Two months ago, I got a letter from the préfecture, giving us this appointment. (http://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/02/julies-french-nationality-interviews.html) 

Because of covid, we also got extra instructions about handling documents and arriving at the préfecture. All new documents would have to be in plastic pouches, untouched for the 48 hours before the appointment. Masks would be required, sanitation gel would be plentiful. 

I pulled together the "take" file over time, with lots of "just in case" documents.

- As requested in the letter:

-- our most recent rent receipt (April's came too late, so we used March's)

-- copy of Rick's ID (the expiration date was extended, but it looks expired, so we also included a copy of his passport)

-- copies of our last 4 years of taxes. The last 3 were easy, since they were downloadable and French. But we needed our US taxes for 2016 for the 4th year, and that had to be translated.

- As expected, based on the instructions for the original dossier list:

-- copy of my new carte de séjour (my submitted dossier had my card with old address plus the récépissé for the new one)

-- original CNF

-- original DELF certificate (I never received the diploma, but the results certificate was fine to use)

-- original (mailed) copy of my FBI report

-- original parents' birth certificates

- As possibly needed, from the new dossier list, published in February:

-- my original passport plus copy

As unlikely, but possibly helpful:

-- my parents' marriage certificate plus copy (not translated)

-- Rick's updated French birth certificate, showing his CNF as a margin note

-- old documents for communauté de vie (1998, 2005, 2013)

-- livret de famille plus copy

I made a list of likely questions, based on what others had experienced, and we started practicing. Usually, the interview includes a question related to current news, and tying it to the French motto (eg, when Simone Veil died, a question was "who was she, and what was she known for?" or, when Samuel Paty was killed, there were questions about laïcité and freedom of speech). We tried to guess what that "big topic" would be.

We dug out the GPS, updated maps, charged it,and entered the parking garage location. I gassed up the car, and cleaned the windows. We unpacked our "real-see-other-people-clothes." And, as we had just entered our 3rd confinement, we filled out our attestation for going farther than 10km.

We left the house at 9:15, and were safely parked and waiting in the courtyard by 10:15 (even though I had forgotten the entire file in the car, and had to go back for it!). We had to show IDs and the appointment letter to the guard (and get "wanded" as usual). Someone came outside periodically to let people in - it wasn't crowded, and we saw several people enter and leave in just the few minutes we waited. We were early enough, and they let us in to use the bathrooms (gel, gel, back outside).

The Interview (45 minutes)

The agent, "IM," met us in the courtyard and took us to her office. Something to note: agents don't tell you their names, even when asked - they are agents of the state. You don't know anything about them before meeting them (and very little even afterwards)!

Once in her office, there was a plexiglass partition, but we still all kept our masks on (although she pulled hers away from her face when asking me questions, as I had a hard time understanding what was said). She looked through the documents we had been told to bring, and returned the extra ones. She wasn't interested in seeing any originals, and didn't need the copy of my new carte de séjour. She returned the remaining self-addressed stamped envelope from my dossier, and the plastic pockets that held the new documents. 

Then she asked if we had ever had a problem in our marriage that caused us to live apart - we said no, and she had us sign a document saying so. Then she asked me how many brothers and sisters I had - when I answered, she said that I would have to send her (by email) each of *their* birth certificates (translated, but not apostilled)! This was a new requirement for dossiers, and basically, when she received them, she would add them to my dossier - it would not proceed without them. She gave me a récépissé, including information on how to keep the préfecture up to date on our address and situation. Then I went to a waiting room while she asked Rick some questions, and then we traded places. At the end of my turn, she said that it had been a good interview, and she would send the dossier on to the minister of the interior. I expected to sign the Charte de Droits et Devoirs, but it never came up. I asked 2 questions then: 

I mentioned that the gendarmes hadn't visited or questioned us, and she said not to worry, that they don't always do that. My dossier was fine without their investigation.

I asked if she thought I would be able to vote in the presidential election next year, and she couldn't say. I said, no, of course not, but I had to ask...

I gathered my things, we collected Rick, and she showed us the door (literally, not figuratively, LOL!).

By the time we got home and I turned on my phone, she had called to tell me that I didn't need my siblings' birth certificates, that that requirement didn't apply to me! Whew! that's 250€ we don't have to spend, and a lot of time we don't have to waste!

Over all she was friendly, careful, and accommodating.

Questions we were each asked:

+-- What do we do together?

+-- Our plans for the future.

+-- Do you rent or own? an apartment or house?

Questions for Rick alone:

+- Where/how/when did we meet?

+- Where did Rick work, what did he do, and since when. When did he retire? He explained US pensions.

+ Where and as what did Julie work?

+ Where have you lived?

+ You rent now; do you have plans to buy a house?

Questions for me alone:

-- Am I a member of any associations? Am I an officer?

-- Do/did I work? Where? 

-- What qualifications/degrees do I have in the US? Obtained when?

- Did I know French before arriving? (I got extra points for studying at the Alliance française 😊)

-- Why do I want to become French?

- Why did we come to France in 2017? Why Sète?

-- Do we plan to stay in France?

-- Do I have mostly French or foreign friends 

-- What language do we speak at home (explain why)

- Does he have relatives in France?

Questions for me alone, from the livret du citoyen, and current "big topic":

-- What is the national anthem called? 

-- What is the devise (motto) of France? ( I answered simply, "liberté, égalité, et fraternité")

-- Explain fraternité 

-- What is laïcité, and what does it mean to me. Is it a good thing? 

- covid-19 - where do I get my info (internet, TV)

~~~

~~~

Questions I had prepared for, but wasn't asked:

- Date of our marriage, how and where it was celebrated 

- How about my parents? 

- Do they come to visit France? 

- How are relationship with in-laws?

- traditional French dishes I make? (chichoumai, poulet roti)

- Why did it take so long to request nationality?

- Who suggested my becoming French?

- date and circumstances of arrival in France

- did we live together before marriage?

- who attended our wedding?

- Do we go to the cinema? (TV, theater, etc)

- Do we travel together or separate? What countries have we visited? What regions of France?

- Do we do the grocery shopping together or separate?

- What household chores do we each do? (finances, cooking...)

- Colors of the flag, are the stripes vertical or horizontal?

- What are the symbols of France

- What stands out to me from the Charte de Droits et Devoirs?

- What is the first line of the national anthem?

- Three values (devise) of France: cite an example and how it affects your daily life?

- What are the droits et devoirs d'un citoyen (taxes, voting, etc)

- when did laïcité become law?

- What is democracy

- 14 July significance

- What elections I can vote in once French 

- Name any 3 presidents of France

- Who is the premier ministre 

- The name of the maire of our town, le préfet de Montpellier

- the date of the revolution, principles of the republic and who Simone Veil was

- what date slavery was abolished in france (1794/1848), what date french women got the vote (1944), date death penalty abolished (illégal 1981, constitution 2007)

- religious symbols - where can they be worn? (public)

~~~

Added costs:

90€ USA 2016 tax declaration

7,30€ parking and tolls

~~~

My post on my dossier is here:

http://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/01/julies-french-nationality.html

My timeline so far - Montpellier, via marriage:

January 31, 2020 - mailed dossier

March-May 2020 - préfecture closed due to covid

June 30, 2020 - accepted

February 9, 2021 - received mail with appointment information.

April 8, 2021 - Préfecture interview

Beach Walk with Friends

Today, we met some friends and took a fantastic beach walk together! It totalled about 5 miles, and ended with a little apéro and mock interview for nationality on their balcony (cocktails helped...)!

There were more than a few suggestions on how to present ourselves better (ok, that's really "myself") - words to avoid, arguments to make, etc. 

We realized that we hadn't meet with friends, in person, in FIVE months! That's just too long. But today was a celebration of sorts - all four of us have had our first vaccine! We all had a sense of relief...

Julie's French Nationality - Interviews

Julie's French Nationality - Interviews

There was good news in the mail today - I have an appointment with the préfecture to interview for my French nationality!

I submitted my request just over a year ago. Given the experiences of others, I expected a visit from the police, any time between August and the end of December. This is a normal part of the process, particularly for people like me, requesting it via marriage - they make a check to assure themselves that it's a real marriage. Yeah, for months and months, I got more and more anxious! Here it is, mid-February, and still no visit. Well, at least now we have a date for the préfecture's interview, and 2 months to prepare for it.

The letter came with a few relatively small surprises.

I expected that I would have to bring originals of my DELF language certificate and Rick's CNF. Since I sent copies, they would want to check them against the originals. I also expected to bring newer versions of our marriage certificate and rent receipts. But their list was a bit different! Yes, they want our latest rent receipt. But then, they also want a copy of Rick's ID, and copies of the last 4 years of our taxes. Nothing else! Well, those are easy to get. And I'm definitely taking all the other stuff too!

One interesting twist - due to covid, any document that we expect to give them must not have been touched for at least 48 hours before the appointment, and must be in a plastic pouch when we give it to them. It does add an extra element of planning!

~~~

My post on my dossier is here:

http://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/01/julies-french-nationality.html

My timeline so far - Montpellier, via marriage:

January 31, 2020 - mailed dossier

March-May 2020 - préfecture closed due to covid

June 30, 2020 - accepted

February 9 - received mail with appointment in April. Note: no email or phone call, just my self-addressed stamped envelope that I had provided in my dossier.

Dossier for French Nationality - Accepted!

Dossier for French Nationality - Accepted!

We checked the mail today on our way to the beach... and found this!

What does it mean? It means that the French administration, my préfecture, has reviewed the documents that I sent, and they meet their criteria - I won't have to send off for more or different items.

It means that 5 months of agonizing is over - whether my French language certificate really should have been a "diploma," whether Dad's middle initial or Mom's misspelled name will come back to haunt me - OVER!

It means the long wait, made extra long by the coronavirus, is done - for part 1...

What's next? At some point, we will have an interview with the police (similar to what we had for my 10-year residence card). Then, possibly in 1-2 years, we will have an interview at the préfecture in Montpellier. Waaaay down the road, they will forward my dossier, along with their recommendation, to the SDANF in Rezé, where the office of the Minister of the Interior will decide whether to accept my declaration of French Nationality. Eventually, hopefully 2-3 years from now, they will let me know...

Julie's French Nationality

Julie's French Nationality

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UPDATE: Here's my entire timeline, from sending the dossier to the official celebration - Montpellier/34, American, by marriage:

• January 31, 2020 - mailed dossier
• June 30, 2020 - dossier accepted (préfecture closed for 2-3 months due to COVID-19). Letter arrived July 4th 🙂
• February 4, 2021 - préfecture entered my déclaration
• February 9, 2021 - letter arrived with date for my préfecture interview. No gendarme visit.
• April 8, 2021 - préfecture interview. Sent to SDANF quickly, ministerial number 2021DX006... I did not get an automatic email. 
• July 15, 2021 - officially French! (I only found this out later; it's on my French birth certificate)
• July 27, 2021 (3 1/2 months after the interview) - on the electoral rolls! 
• August 5, 2021 - email that my birth certificate is available
• August 20, 2021 - received my online birth certificate (email notification)
• September 7, 2022 - appointment with mairie for ID and passport (I made the pre-demande 3 weeks before)
• October 1, 2021 - picked up ID and passport
• October 22, 2021 - Ceremony and Welcome to French Nationality; received my declaration of French nationality.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Timeline to Apply (Submit Dossier)

My initial check of the requirements was actually in 2010, at the French embassy in Costa Rica. The consulate told us that there was a new law coming into effect in January 2011. From that point onward, I would have to prove that my level of French was to the B1 level; the only proof acceptable at that time was the DELF language certificate. He also said that because he was born abroad, Rick would have to get a Certificate of French Nationality (CNF) before I could apply as his spouse.

Fast forward to 2017 - I was a new resident of France, and knew that I needed to prove a French level of A2 or better for my titre de séjour (residence permit) renewal. So, I took the DELF B1 test (the diploma is good for life) in October 2017, knowing I could use it for both my residence and my nationality dossiers. (details here)

In early 2019, I got serious about collecting required items. I joined an online forum for people applying for French nationality, and learned all sorts of things!  Each préfecture has its own way of doing things, so I made sure to get the Hérault information. Because I have not lived in France for more than 10 years, I have to include police reports from both the USA and Costa Rica.

I started to gather the documents that didn't expire. I knew that my California marriage certificate included our birth dates and birth places, so I hoped the same for my parents'. My parents sent me their marriage certificate, but it didn't show birth dates! So, my list had to include their birth certificates instead. My new long-term list was:
   DELF diploma (done 2017)
   Rick's CNF
   my birth certificate, certified, with apostille
   parents birth certificates
   FBI report
   Costa Rica police report
 
March/April 2019
- my parents seemed happy to collect all the birth certificates and mail them; all told, these took about a month, plus 2 weeks for the mail to reach me in France. They mailed them from California April 29, and I received them May 11.
- a friend in Costa Rica agreed to pick up my police report there and mail it to me. But I still had to find out how to order it. I asked about this on my nationality forum, and was told that (probably) the Costa Rican embassy would arrange it for me. A friend here in Sète helped me to write emails to ask for details. (details here)
- after a lot of research and corresponding anxiety, it was clear that I had to get my fingerprints taken to get the FBI report. I found myself putting off doing this :-\
- we found details on how to get Rick's CNF, and sent off for the supporting documents.
- we made sure we had all our bills in both names; I called our electric company to fix Rick's name, and had a nice surprise! I fully expected to stumble through the call in French, but then they found someone who spoke English for me - et voilà!

May 2019
- We still hadn't received the French documents needed for Rick's CNF, so he re-ordered them (expected in 10 working days)
- I requested my police report from Costa Rica, and was told it would be ready the 15th (everyone involved is a little bit skeptical, but we'll see)
- My parents' birth certificates and my birth certificate with apostille arrived. The very good news is that the apostille is already in English, Spanish, and French! So that's one less page that requires a translation.

June 2019
- Amazingly, my police report arrived from Costa Rica, well within the expected 2 weeks!

August 21 2019
Went to the Tribunal d'Instance in Montpellier to request Rick's CNF. They wanted more documents. We went home and ordered them.
Meanwhile, we found out that we have to move! This adds more than a little wrinkle to our timeline!

October 24 2019
Rick's updated documents came. They are now taking 9 weeks (instead of 10 days)!

October 30 - Returned to tribunal. They indicated that we should have the CNF in 8 weeks.

November 20 2019 - I started my request for the FBI report. Attempted fingerprinting... gave up...

October/November 2019 - We moved, and had to start collecting new justificatifs de domicile. I also had to update my carte de séjour. (details here)

December 26 2019 - Rick's CNF is ready! We have an appointment to pick it up January 2nd. I plan to ask for their help in fingerprinting me...

January 2 2020 - picked up Rick's CNF! (details here) Asked about fingerprinting; it's a no go at the tribunal, but the police station will do them!

January 3 2020 - got fingerprinted at the police station, and mailed them to the FBI (details here). I also double-checked the current requirements from the Hérault préfecture, to make sure nothing had changed. The only difference was they had fixed the link to the newest version of the request form, and added a line for an email address :-)

January 18 - FBI report came! The electronic version, that is. But many who have successfully completed this adventure used this version. As it turned out, the paper copy is exactly the same as our printed electronic version.
So, we sent off my foreign documents to translators for estimates.

January 30 2020
Translated documents arrived!
   all birth certificates + 1 apostille (3 + 1)
   both police reports (1 from Spanish, with apostille)
It's time! I gathered all those last-minute elements:
- We didn't need to order a new French marriage certificate, since we had ordered several for the CNF application
- I didn't need a new photo, since I had some for my Residence permit update
- We had colored paper left from the CNF application
- I needed to get 3 stamped, self-addressed envelopes, and a letter-suivi big enough to hold my full dossier; these are easy to get at the post office, so I'll get them when I mail my dossier.
- I bought the 55€ timbre (the fee) online, and printed out the proof
- We printed a whole lotta receipts from a whole lotta utilities, banks, rental agencies...

January 31 2020 - The big day is here! After a "calm" double-check of the contents, it's time to mail my dossier (For Montpellier, we have to mail the dossier in order to get an appointment). I decided to add a copy of my passport, to match the ID used for my Costa Rican police report. I also stopped at the bank to see if they could provide an attestation - no, there is no such thing, but I got simpler account proof, and even got them stamped!
~~~

My complete Dossier, in order, separated by folded colored paper w/ content summary (to mail to Montpellier préfecture):
---
cerfa numéro 15277*03
timbre fiscale 55€ (purchased online)
phone number
email address
1 photo (nom, prénom on back)
3 enveloppes (SASE)
1 lettre suivie (500g-1kg) (note the tracking number)
---
original full birth certificate, translated, apostilled
parents' birth certificates, translated, photocopies (take originals to RDV)
marriage certificate (French, less than 3 months old)
---
Rick's CNF (copy; take original to RDV)
---
carte de séjour copy, front/back (take original to RDV)
récépissé for CDS address change
proof of communauté de vie - 2+ different recent justificatifs de domicile in both names:
   electric bill (2)
   rent contract, latest receipt
   internet contract (2)
   joint bank account attestation
---
criminal records - FBI report and Costa Rican report
- "extrait de casier judiciaire étranger" (translated; original)
- copy of my passport
---
DELF diploma (copy; take original to RDV)

My Dossier - 344 grams

==================

Possible problems:
- my Costa Rican police report includes my mother's name, but it is spelled wrong
- my birth certificate lists my father's middle initial, but his birth certificate does not.
- since we moved recently, we don't have the ideal document trail

Expected next steps:
x
- possibly have to resubmit (order a new French marriage certificate ASAP, as it can take 2 months)
UPDATE: on the 4th of July (LOL), I received the "acceptance letter," meaning I won't have to resubmit! Details here: http://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2020/07/dossier-for-french-nationality-accepted.html
x
- study for interview
- RDV Montpellier préfecture, bringing updated documents
- gendarmes (police) visit

UPDATE: On February 9, 2020, I received a letter from the préfecture, giving a date in April for my interview! So far, no gendarme visit.  http://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/02/julies-french-nationality-interviews.html
UPDATE: April 8, 2020 - We had a good interview, the gendarme visit didn't happen and is not necessary, and my dossier is complete! Details here: http://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/04/julies-french-nationality-interview.html

x
Dossier is sent to SDANF for final dispensation/decision. Keep checking the tracking number of the lettre suivie that I included in my dossier.
Send email to SDANF to get ministerial number (tracking). Address: sdanf-accueil@interieur.gouv.fr Email title: prefecture number, surname, first name, date of birth, "état d’avancement de mon dossier"

UPDATE: June 28, 2021 - Both of these methods are now outdated! I didn't get any news automatically, but I was finally able to get my ministerial number:  https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/06/french-nationality-progress.html
x

- register to vote (UPDATE 2021 - this is automatic now)

UPDATE: July 27, 2021 - I'm on the electoral rolls! It's the first proof that I'm French!  (Still no email or letter, but that will come in time) 

https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/07/i-can-vote.html
- email/letter from préfecture announcing French Nationality

- order French birth certificate (may not need for mairie)
- pre-order ID and passport

UPDATE: I got an email on August 5, saying I was French, and that my birth certificate was available to order. I ordered it, and it arrived the 20th - this is when I found out that I had become French on July 15th! I pre-ordered my ID and passport, and made an appointment at the mayor's office to finalize the request. 
x
- go to Mairie to finalize request for ID and passport

UPDATE: September 7, 2021 - I had my appointment, took my photos (such as they are 🙄), and a copy of my birth certificate. They are supposed to be able to use an online version, but since I had a copy with me, they used it. They said the documents would be ready in about a month.
x
- receive documents

UPDATE: September 23, 2021 - mail! I am invited to a Ceremony and Welcome to French Nationality! It's at the préfecture, October 22 - I'll receive my declaration of French nationality.

UPDATE: October 1, 2021 - I picked up my ID and Passport! Details: https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/10/my-shiny-new-passeport.html
UPDATE: October 22, 2021 - my Welcome to French Nationality Ceremony! Details: https://slowtravelin.blogspot.com/2021/10/welcome-to-french-nationality-ceremony.html
=======================

Timeframe as of Fall 2019
Montpellier accepts or returns dossier in about 2 months.
RDV for interview at the préfecture (take updated docs): 1-2 years from dossier accepted.
Nationality: 1-2 years from préfecture RDV.
It is sometimes shorter for application by marriage.

Important information
The préfecture makes the first evaluation and either gives a positive recommendation to the ministre, or rejects with reason.

Websites
http://www.herault.gouv.fr/Demarches-administratives/Demarches-etrangers/Naturalisation
http://accueil-etrangers.gouv.fr/acces-a-la-nationalite-francaise/
http://timbres.impots.gouv.fr/

~~~
Costs:
$100 - birth certs
$125 - CR police report
$31 - FBI report
200€ - translations (4 English, 1 Spanish)
55€ - timbre
21€ - miscellaneous (photo, envelopes, postage)
$0 - DELF (reused)
$25 - CNF (3 trips to Montpellier = 15+7€)
----
$585 total

~~~

And Now...

FBI Criminal Record Check

FBI Criminal Record Check

Now, *those* are some scary words! But all it really is is proof that you don't have a criminal record in the USA.

It's a little daunting to go through the request process though. The main drawback is finding a way to get your fingerprints taken. It's easy enough in the states - you can usually get them at a police station, or even at a post office that's set up for it! However, when you're abroad, it's difficult to (1) find a place that can do it, and (2) explain what you need well enough that they want to help you.

So, just why do I need this? I'm finally asking for French nationality!

What I did:

November 20 - I went online and created an electronic account, and paid $18
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
https://www.edo.cjis.gov/#/

December - I tried to take my own fingerprints. It did not go well...

January 2 - I asked at tribunal (since we were there); they said no, and could only think of asking at the US embassy.
Then I asked at the local police station; he first said no, and that the préfecture does that, and it's not the same. That made me wonder if I hadn't explained it well, so I showed him the fingerprint page and the explanation page. He called someone, then said to come back tomorrow (no appointment time).

January 3 - I went back to the police station, and after a short wait, an officer and her trainee took me inside. She asked me to explain why I wanted my fingerprints, so I gave her the long story. She explained to her trainee that for Canadian and American police reports, they need to use fingerprints. Then, first she took my prints, explaining all the while, then her trainee took a second set. We all looked at the prints, and declared them good! The officer explained that they knew about this process because one of her colleagues married a Canadian, and she had to do the same for her police report. At the end, I said I might know in 2 weeks whether the prints were accepted or not, and she said to just come back if I needed to try again!
On the fingerprint card, I left everything blank except:
- Full name, as reflected in my electronic order
- date of birth
- social security number
- order number (I put this in the box for "reason fingerprinted")

I went right from the police station to the post office. I originally thought I would use Chronopost Express, but! even though it would only take 3 days, it was over 60€!! I eventually settled on a 2€ option (plus 8€ stamp) that will take up to 7 days. I put in the electronic account page and 2 sets of fingerprints, and sent it off! I ended up folding the pages, and I'm hoping that won't affect their acceptability...

What's next - I can follow the mail online (via the recommandé number), then the fingerprint analysis and reporting progress via the CJIS website, using my account number. Eventually, they will email my report, followed by snail-mail. According to those who have gone before, I can use the emailed report.

Inky fingers are all crossed!

UPDATE: once my letter left France (the next day!), I couldn't follow it; there were no updates from the USA. However! I received my electronic police report from the FBI just 2 weeks later (January 18)!

Certificate of French Nationality

CNF

Why does a French national need a Certificate of French Nationality (CNF)? For someone born abroad, it's an extra level of scrutiny, but then you are certified, by the court, as definitely being French. For most activities and documents in France, a French birth certificate (which you have if your birth was registered via an embassy) is sufficient. You can get your French ID and passport, for example. But, if you are like Rick, and want to pass on your right to citizenship to a spouse, well then, you need the CNF.

It's like you're French enough for you, but there's an extra layer of "Frenchness" needed for your spouse to become French :-\

March - got copy of grandparents' certificates, as much as possible

March 25 - requested father's birth certificate, marriage certificate

End of April - re-ordered the documents

May 21 - requested father's birth certificate again

June 12 - received parents' marriage certificate (still no father's birth certificate)

June 17 - created account at the Paris mairie, and ordered father's birth certificate again

June 17 - ordered Rick's French birth certificate from Nantes

July 6 - received father's birth certificate, in response to created account; mentions marriage, but not death (death abroad registered in Nantes)

July - received father's birth certificate/notice, in response to March request; only gives basic info, for genealogy (not useful for nationality)

July 24 - ordered father's death certificate

August 3 - received father's birth certificate ordered May 21.

August 5 - received email that (2) Rick's birth certificates would be mailed within 10 days

August 9 - received Rick's birth certificate, father's death certificate

made the dossier:
1 ID photo
1 copy and original of Rick's ID card
1 justificatif de domicile
1 French full birth certificate
1 father's full French birth certificate
1 parents' full French marriage certificate
1 copy grandparents' certificates
+++ extra items, in case
1 father's death certificate
1 copy and original Rick's voter card
1 copy and original Rick's passport

August 13 - called tribunal d'instance for appointment; no RDV required, just go between 8:30 - 11:00 on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday
Note: for Montpellier, this is not the Tribunal de Grande Instance.

August 21 - to Montpellier to submit CNF dossier.
Tribunal d'Instance, rue de Tarragone, some paid parking available on the street. Enter, go through security, turn right up a half-flight of stairs, go to the 4th door on the right. Sign in on the sheet, and wait (do not knock or open door). We waited less than 5 minutes.
At the tribunal office, we gave the items we had, as the clerk asked for them. She checked some of the information on her government network. She didn't need the extra things we brought. But she did need more:
- Our French Marriage certificate (< 3 months old)
- Copy+orig livret de famille
- Copy+orig Julie's Titre de Séjour
- French Taxes for the previous year (2018 avis d'imposition)
She asked a few questions, such as why we needed the CNF (so Julie could apply for nationality), how long have been married, and how long we have lived in France. She asked if Rick's mother became French, and confirmed with us that his father had not rescinded his nationality.
She said that 27 years of marriage - that's a long time to wait to apply for nationality. I said that abroad, the certificate of french nationality is difficult and takes a long time. She said that if you already have a French birth certificate, it is much faster! We didn't talk more about that (that is, having to provide more generations of information). At the end, she gave us the documents back, along with her list. We are to keep that until we have the rest, then bring everything back in. But she said not to worry! Once we submit everything needed, it should take 6 weeks to arrive.

August 21 - ordered 2 copies of our French marriage certificate and 2 copies of Rick's French birth certificate, all from Nantes. Wait time is 7 weeks. (October 9)

October 9 - expect marriage certificate. No, everything is backed up - even more!

October 24 - marriage certificate arrived! So did Rick's birth certificate! But just one copy... And, it's Thursday. So, we must wait till next week to go back to the tribunal.

October 30 - this morning, we drove into Montpellier to submit the updated dossier. We went through a different person, who went through everything again, and took the dossier! She did say that we might be called to add Rick's mother's birth certificate. Barring that, it will now take about 2 months (it's getting longer, just like everything else). We will be notified by mail when it's ready, then we go back to pick it up.

Wait 2 months for CNF (~December 30)

December 26 - the tribunal called - Rick's CNF is ready! We made an appointment for January 2nd!

January 2 - we got to the tribunal in plenty of time, signed in, and went in. Rick showed his ID card, and the agent led us through the certificate. She remembered that the reason he wanted it was so I could apply for nationality, and she explained some of the next steps for that. She stressed that I should include the photocopy, not the original, of the CNF when I mail my dossier. I would show them the original during the interview. The CNF is good for life, but to get another one, he would have to go through the same process.

Only now, anyone needing a CNF (from Montpellier) has to call for an appointment

Sign posted at tribunal

~~~
Official government website for CNF:
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1051

Costa Rica Police Report

Because I lived in Costa Rica within the last 10 years, one of the documents I need here in France is a Costa Rican police report. I'd done this before for my Costa Rican residence, so I knew how to get one while living there. But, when I looked at the justice department website, it said I had to go in person to order it 🙁 Well, that put me into a spin, until I thought to ask on one of my French forums. Someone pointed me to the Costa Rican embassy in Singapore! This at least gave me a path - I supply a lot of info to the embassy, and they order the report. Then I have to have someone in Costa Rica pick it up and send it to me.

Armed with the knowledge of this possibility, I asked for help from friends (gonna try with a little help from my friends 🎶🎶). Linda in Costa Rica agreed to pick it up and send it, and Marie-Claire helped me write to the Costa Rican embassy in France to get their process and requirements (naturally, each embassy does things differently, and the embassy in France has no helpful webpage on this process). We also wrote to the French embassy in Costa Rica, who confirmed that they didn't have to add anything to the process.

Sure enough, the embassy in France had different requirements - I emailed them my full name and old cédula (residence permit) number, as well as a copy of both sides. I included Linda's name and cédula number, so that they could identify her as my trusted, authorized representative to pick up my report.

All seemed to be going well; the report would be ready in a week! Well, when Linda attempted to retrieve the report, they said that they couldn't use my cédula because it had expired; instead, they needed my current passport. I quickly emailed it directly to them, and they said for Linda to return after lunch. Then (!), after lunch, they said to come back the next morning! Well, at least after that, it was smooth sailing...

A couple of weeks later, here it is! And it even says that I've been good 🙂

Thank goodness for friends!