New US Citizen - Expired French Passport

[keweul 1]

hi guys...quick question..I recently became a U.S. citizen in September of this year. I'm originally a French national registered at the French embassy in NY (which probably expired too lol ). Will it be a problem when I go to renew my expired French passport in the future seeing that I no longer have the green card? I was told not to notify them of update in residency to US Citizen, but when I go to renew the passport they'll want some form of proof that I'm documented to reside in the USA.. Anyone had a similar experience? What should I do?

I will be applying for my US passport soon but wanted to know if I'd be able to renew my French passport without traveling back to my country of origin. Any insight appreciated.

[Ladylethal 12]

I can't help with your case specifically because I'm not familiar with the French laws, but if it's anything like Brazilian laws, your US citizenship should have no bearing on your eligibility to renew your french passport (unless France specifically says if you get a different citizenship you lose yours). Have you looked at the requirements to renew your passport at your jurisdiction's French Consulate? Whenever I have to deal with my Consulate they only ask ID from my country, and proof of address (like my driver's license or a bill in my name) they never ask to see my Green Card, or even ask what's my status in the US (if I'm a legal or illegal resident).

Edited October 28, 2014 by Ladylethal

[jxn 86]

I don't know the specifics of France but you should be able to call the embassy in DC or your local consulate and ask.

You can hold dual French-American citizenships, but most countries require, if you are a citizen of said nation, that you enter on that corresponding passport. With that in mind, you should exit/enter the U.S. on your American passport and enter/exit France on your French passport.

Since France is a member of the European Union and you are thus a citizen of an EU member state, I'm guessing that when you enter the EU / Schengen Zone on your French passport too.

[keweul 1]

Salut Keweul, your status of being a U.S. citizen should have no bearing on your French citizenship status. France allows dual citizenship thus far. Here's a French article dedicated to applying for the French biometric passport at the French consulate in New York: http://www.consulfrance-newyork.org/Passeport-biometrique#5

As the paragraph under "1.Passeport Biometrique" states, you'll be automatically registered at the French consulate at NY when you apply for the passport. How long ago did your passport expire?If it's less than 2 years it shouldn't be a problem.

Here's another article in case your passport expired more than 2 years ago: http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/F21091.xhtml

You should contact the NY consulate to ask exactly what extra documents they'll need but I'm guessing your old expired French passport and your French birth certificate should be enough to establish that you're French. You'll also need to provide some proof of residence in the U.S.

I just renewed my French passport at the French consulate in Chicago. It was easy peasy...got the new passport in 10 days.

Bonne chance!

Thanks, this is very helpful. My passport just expired June this year. Finances are tight so I figured I'll get my US passport first (in case I need to travel) then apply to renew my French passport later on (but before I plan on visiting my home country of St. Martin which is in the Caribbean ). Thanks!