My father was a naturalized US citizen. My mother was not. They were both born in Tunis Tunisia of Italian parents. My grandparents on both sides were Sicilian and immigrated to Tunis in the early part of the 20th century (I think the early part and not the later part of the 19th century). Can I qualify for Italian citizenship or can I qualify for French citizenship? North French Africa was a protectorate or a colony of France until about 1955. Many thanks!

I am a South African Citizen married to a French Citizen. Both my children have dual nationalities. I would like to apply for my French Citizenship. How do I go about it and what paperwork do I need. We travel to Europe at least twice a year and I find it very difficult to obtain a Schengen Visa which is only available in Johannesburg. We live in a small town 400 kilometers away.

Thanking you

Patricia Ann Montauge

I am a South African Citizen married to a French Citizen. Both my children have dual citizenship. I would like to become a French Citizen. How do I go about it and what paperwork do I need. We travel to Europe at least twice a year and I find it very difficult to obtain a Schengen Visa which is only obtainable in Johannesburg. We live in a small town which is 400 km's away.

If you can prove that your father's father had Italian nationality [possibly through military record papers in the town he was from] and you have his marriage certificate, as well as your parents birth and marriage certificates, I think you are okay. However, if your father naturalized into US citizenship before you were born, then you are out of luck.
You could also get citizenship from your mother's father, but the Italians make that a lot more difficult. Contact your nearest Italian consulate to find out.

Patricia, you've obviously been married for more than five years [the waiting period for couples living outside France], so you can go to the French Consulate and apply for French nationality. Note that there is a competency requirement of the French Language: "Le conjoint étranger doit en outre justifier d'une connaissance suffisante, selon sa condition, de la langue française".