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U.S. CITIZEN SERVICES
Relinquishment of U.S. Citizenship
20 MINUTE READ

Relinquishment of U.S. citizenship by performing certain potentially expatriating acts, including taking the oath of renunciation of U.S. citizenship abroad, voluntarily and with the intention of relinquishing U.S. citizenship, cannot be exercised by a third party on another person’s behalf. For example, a person’s parent(s) or legal guardian may not take the oath for renunciation for that person. A Certificate of Loss of Nationality (CLN) approved by the Department of State is the final agency determination of loss of U.S. nationality.

 

NOTE: The steps below provide instructions for requesting a CLN based on taking an oath of renunciation under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 349(a)(5), 8 USC 1481(a)(5).

 

For information on the parallel process to request a CLN by performing another potentially expatriating act under INA 349(a)(1)-(4), 8 USC 1481(a)(1)-(4), please read and/or contact the Consulate General serving your area.

 

Oath of Renunciation of U.S. Nationality

U.S. Consulates General processes requests to take the oath of renunciation of U.S. citizenship. Minors, individuals who do not read or write English, individuals with mental health/cognitive disability or impairment and/or who have a guardian and those for whom loss of U.S. nationality would result in statelessness, are invited to contact the Consulate General serving your area directly to discuss taking the oath of renunciation.

Instructions

1 – Review the legal requirements and consequences/ramifications of taking the oath of renunciation of U.S. citizenship (INA 349(a)(5)). If you would like to request a CLN based on INA 349(a)(1)-(4), please contact U.S. Consulate General serving your area.

Please read the information available online at the U.S. Department of State and Internal Revenue Service websites (links below) regarding the legal requirements for and consequences of taking the oath of renunciation. Loss of U.S. nationality is irrevocable, and you should fully understand the consequences and ramifications before beginning this process.

For questions related to possible U.S. tax implications, please contact the Internal Revenue Service. You may also wish to review the Joint Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) FAQ.

For questions related to Social Security Administration (SSA) or other federal benefits, please contact the SSA and/or your nearest Federal Benefits Unit.

Department of State and Internal Revenue Service links:

2 – Please gather all the required documents below:

  • ORIGINAL U.S. birth certificate (issued by your State of birth) or ORIGINAL Consular Report of Birth Abroad or ORIGINAL Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
  • ORIGINAL most recent U.S. Passport
  • ORIGINAL most recent valid foreign passport(s) or government-issued photo ID– If you possess multiple nationalities, bring a passport or government-issued photo ID for all nationalities
  • ORIGINAL proof of any name change (marriage certificate, court order, divorce decree, etc.), if applicable
  • Completed DS-4080: Oath/Affirmation of Renunciation of Nationality of United States **Please complete but do NOT sign form DS-4080, you will sign in front of a consular officer**
  • Completed DS-4081: Statement of Understanding Concerning the Consequences and Ramifications of Relinquishment or Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship **Please complete but do NOT sign form DS-4081, you will sign in front of a consular officer**

 

Overview of the Loss of Nationality Process

3 – To initiate the process and receive further instructions, please scan and submit copies of the required documents to the Consulate General serving your area.

**In the body of your email, with the above documents attached, please also include your:

  • Last Name
  • First Name
  • Middle Name(s)
  • Any other Names used
  • Date and Place of birth (Month/Day/Year + City/State, if applicable/Country)
  • Telephone number

 

4 – You will receive a confirmation email with further instructions (within 10-15 business days). 

Fees

Immediately prior to taking the oath of renunciation, you must pay the non-refundable fee of $2,350 USD or the AUD equivalent for administrative processing of a request for a Certificate of Loss of Nationality (cash or credit cards accepted) The fee is not waivable, and it is not refundable solely if/because the Department of State denies the request for a Certificate of Loss of Nationality.

 

Please make the necessary arrangements with your bank as payments of this size often require pre-approval.