<P> Simply being born in France does not confer French nationality except in the case of a child born to unknown or stateless parents, or to aliens whose nationality is not transmitted to the child . </P> <P> A child born in France before January 1, 1994, to a parent born in a former French overseas territory prior to its acquisition of independence, is automatically French . The same is true for a child born after 1 January 1963, to a parent born in Algeria before July 3, 1962 . </P> <P> Plenary adoption is the only act of filiation which carries direct effects on nationality . Unlike the process of simple adoption, a child adopted according to the procedure of plenary adoption breaks any bond with his family of origin . </P> <P> Filiation must be established while the child is a minor to take effect . Consequently, the recognition of a child older than the age of majority has no effect on his or her nationality . </P>

What do you have to do to become a french citizen