George Clooney and His Family Are Now French Citizens
On Saturday, a short entry in France’s Journal officiel confirmed something that had circulated quietly for months: George Clooney, his wife Amal Clooney, and their two children have obtained French citizenship.
There was no ceremony and no public statement from the family. The information came through a naturalisation decree, later confirmed by several French media outlets, including Paris Match. As is often the case in France, the most significant decisions appear first as dry administrative notices.
The decree published on Saturday confirms that George Clooney, Amal Clooney, and their eight-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, were granted French nationality through naturalisation.
In France, this process allows minor children to be included automatically when a parent becomes French, under a legal mechanism known as effet collectif. It avoids separate applications and reflects the idea that nationality can be granted to a family unit rather than to individuals alone.
The decree itself is not searchable by name online. Civil-status documents in France are protected, even when they concern well-known figures. Journalists were able to confirm the information by consulting the decree directly.
Why France, Why Now
George Clooney has been open in the past about his reasons for choosing France. The decision was not linked to his career and was never presented as a symbolic gesture. Privacy was central.
French law offers strong protections for children against paparazzi and intrusive photography. Photographing minors without consent, particularly near schools or private residences, can result in serious legal consequences.
Clooney has repeatedly contrasted this with life in Los Angeles, where avoiding constant exposure was far more difficult.
He has also spoken about wanting a calmer and more stable environment for his children, one that allows for everyday routines without constant attention. Naturalisation gives legal permanence to that choice and confirms that the move was meant to last.
Life in the South of France
The Clooneys have spent long stretches in southern France since purchasing a large property near Brignoles, in the Var, in 2021. The estate includes a Provençal bastide and a working vineyard, often referred to in the press as Domaine du Canadel.
Far from Hollywood, the area offers space, discretion, and a slower rhythm of life. Clooney has previously mentioned the possibility of raising his family there, specifically to stay out of the reach of paparazzi.
After severe flooding hit the nearby commune of Le Val in 2021, George Clooney made a personal donation of €20,000 to support the municipality. The funds were used in part to house flood victims for several months, a gesture that was noted locally at the time.
Amal Clooney’s Role in the Decision
Amal Clooney already held British and Lebanese citizenship and is fluent in French. Her work as an international human rights lawyer regularly brings her into contact with European institutions and courts where French is widely used.
From both a professional and practical standpoint, French nationality fits naturally into her life. France allows multiple citizenships, which made the process possible without requiring either spouse to give up existing nationalities.
Naturalisation in France requires years of residence, administrative review, and proof of integration. It is not granted casually. France was already where the Clooneys were living a significant part of their lives. The decree simply made that reality official.