French Nationality Laws Imposing Nationality at Birth

In: American journal of international law: AJIL, Band 5, Heft 2, S. 325-354

Abstract

France has had a richer legislative experience in matters of nationality than any other country. Scarcely a decade has passed since the Revolution in which some project for legislation has not been proposed, and during the intervals between these projects the subject has been kept alive by very intelligent discussion on the part of statesmen and writers. A resumé of French legislation will indicate the trend of thought in France and throw light upon the policies behind the present law. In so brief a summary as is here presented it will be impossible, however, to refer to the numerous proposals which never passed beyond the stage of debate. We shall confine ourselves to the laws as adopted, and these will suffice for our purpose.The law existing in France immediately anterior to the Revolution conferred French nationality on persons (1) born on French soil; (2) born in a foreign country of a French father who had not established his domicile in that country nor lost his intent to return, provided the person so born returned to France.