An American’s VLS-TS VPF Journey: From Spouse visa to French Nationality
Everything I did, in order, to go from newly married to a French citizen to being granted French nationality as the spouse of a French national; under the visa long séjour valant titre de séjour: vie privée et familiale (VLS-TS VPF) pathway.
New to terminology? Start with the Visa Terminology Guide before diving into the steps below.
Step One: Certificat de Capacité à Mariage
The first document you need before marrying your French partner abroad.
Step Two: Transcription de l'Acte de Mariage
Getting your American American mariage license legally recognized in France.
Step Three: How I Got my Visa d'Epoux
Applying for the French spouse visa once your marriage is transcribed.
French Dossier
All the documents I need for my dossier & how I store them for easy access.
French Tax ID Number
Requesting my French tax ID number before filing my first tax return.
French permis de conduire
The process I went through to exchange my Ohio license for a French permis de conduire.
Carte de Séjour Renewal Application
The application process I went through to renew my residency card.
Picking up my carte de séjour
Appointment to pick up my residency card and what I needed for this.
Applying for My French 10-Year Residency Card
Requesting the 10-year carte de résident during my renewal application.
Applying for French Nationality
The final step: how I became a French citizen through marriage.