New Born Nationality - Chinese French

Posted by caly (54 days ago)

I am Hong Kong Chinese (holding BN(O) and HKSAR passport), my boyfriend is french and I am giving birth in Hong Kong. I would like to know if

1. our baby will have dual-nationality and
2. could we get a french passport for the baby even if we're not married?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by axptguy38 (54 days ago)

You will have to ask both authorities.

Some countries give nationality by birthplace (e.g. USA), some by parentage (e.g. Sweden), some by both. It really depends.

BTW having the actual passport does not change status. That is, you could be a citizen without the passport. It is just a proof of citizenship for travel purposes.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by jubilee99 (41 days ago)

According to French laws baby can automatically become a French citizen as long as one parent is French. Only thing you need to do is have the father go to the French Embassy with his own French ID card (or even better his birth certificate as passport is not enought to prove that he is a French citizen) and the baby birth certificate.

I would suggest that he also takes some passport photos of the baby with him so that he can apply at the same time for baby's passport and ID card. Only the French parent can apply for those documents as he/she will need to sign the documents on behalf of the baby.

Hope it helps.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by caly (40 days ago)

Thank you jubilee. We are working on the papers now.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Mighty (39 days ago)

In fact, a HKSAR passport is quite handy now.

(I am based in Hong Kong)