How do I stop being American?

To stop being an American, you must formally and voluntarily renounce your U.S. citizenship at a U.S. embassy or consulate in a foreign country by signing an oath, understanding it's an irrevocable, solemn decision, and paying a substantial fee (around $2,350). You must also fulfill all U.S. tax obligations and typically must become a citizen of another nation to avoid becoming stateless.

Can you voluntarily give up your U.S. citizenship?

Under United States federal law, a U.S. citizen or national may voluntarily and intentionally give up that status and become an alien with respect to the United States. Relinquishment is distinct from denaturalization, which in U.S. law refers solely to cancellation of illegally procured naturalization.

What stops someone from becoming a U.S. citizen?

Crimes That Permanently Bar U.S. Citizenship

murder, or. an aggravated felony (if the conviction was after November 29, 1990).

How long does it take to cancel U.S. citizenship?

Required documents

Your Loss of Nationality application and supporting documents will be forwarded to the Department of State in Washington, D.C. for consideration and adjudication, a process that may take between 3-6 months.

How much does it cost to cancel American citizenship?

Renouncing U.S. citizenship costs a mandatory, non-refundable $2,350 fee for the Certificate of Loss of Nationality (CLN), plus travel to a U.S. consulate for your oath, but potential major costs arise from IRS requirements like proving 5 years of tax compliance and paying an Exit Tax if you're a "covered expatriate," which can be substantial depending on your assets and income. 

Flights to Caribbean canceled after US strikes in Venezuela

Is it worth it to give up U.S. citizenship?

Some individuals opt to renounce their US citizenship to avoid potential future legal liabilities, including prosecution or financial obligations related to their status as US citizens. While renouncing citizenship does not erase past liabilities, it can prevent future entanglements with US law.

How to refuse American citizenship?

Taking an oath of renunciation in manner prescribed by the Secretary of State under Immigration and Nationality Act section 349(a)(5)(before a U.S. diplomatic or consular officer abroad) or under INA 349(a)(6)(while within the United States) is the most unequivocal way in which a person can manifest an intention to ...

What is the penalty for giving up U.S. citizenship?

According to the IRS, most Americans who renounce their citizenship don't owe any exit tax because they don't meet the “covered expatriate” thresholds. The State Department charges a flat $2,350 administrative fee for renunciation.

Can I get rid of my U.S. citizenship?

Yes, you can get rid of your U.S. citizenship through a formal, irrevocable process called renunciation, which involves an in-person oath at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, demonstrating you understand the serious consequences, and paying a fee, but it's permanent and requires you to have another citizenship or risk statelessness, and doesn't erase past U.S. tax/legal obligations. 

What are the three ways of losing citizenship?

Residing abroad on a permanent basis. Serving in a foreign military or foreign government. Failure to reaffirm one's citizenship by a certain age (often an age between 18 and 30 years old) Failure to revoke other citizenships by a certain age (e.g. 22 years old in the case of Japan)

How do you stop being an American citizen?

To renounce U.S. citizenship, you must appear in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, sign an oath of renunciation before a consular officer, have another citizenship to avoid statelessness, understand the act is irrevocable, and pay a fee, with the final step being receiving a Certificate of Loss of Nationality (CLN). The process requires thoughtful consideration as it's permanent, and you'll need documents like your passport and proof of other nationality. 

What are the 4 types of citizenship?

The four common types of citizenship acquisition are By Birth (born in the country, jus soli), By Descent (born to citizen parents, jus sanguinis), By Naturalization (a formal legal process for foreigners), and By Marriage (granted to spouses of citizens), though other routes like registration, adoption, or investment also exist. These methods define how individuals gain legal status, rights, and responsibilities within a nation.
 

What is the 3-3-3 rule for citizenship?

Your spouse must have been a U.S. citizen for the entire three years leading up to your application. Even if you were married, time before they became a citizen doesn't count toward the three years. You must have your permanent resident status for three years before you can apply for citizenship through marriage.

Why are people renouncing U.S. citizenship?

People renounce U.S. citizenship mainly for complex tax obligations (worldwide income taxation, FATCA reporting), banking difficulties for expats (due to U.S. laws), and political/social disillusionment with the U.S., seeking simplicity, freedom, or alignment with another country's values, often after years living abroad and holding another nationality. The high fees, bureaucratic hurdles, and feeling of being tied to a country they no longer live in also drive this decision, notes Immigrant Invest and Forbes. 

Will I lose my social security if I renounce my U.S. citizenship?

No, you generally won't lose your vested Social Security benefits if you renounce U.S. citizenship, as eligibility is based on your work history (40 credits), not citizenship, but payments to you abroad depend heavily on tax treaties and residency rules with your new country, with some countries like Cuba and North Korea being exceptions. You'll still owe U.S. taxes on benefits and might face withholding, potentially different from when you were a citizen, and military pensions are usually revoked. 

How many people renounce U.S. citizenship every year?

Each year, roughly 5,000 to 6,000 Americans renounce their citizenship, though numbers fluctuate, with spikes seen in recent years (e.g., over 4,800 in 2024), driven mainly by complex U.S. tax obligations for citizens abroad (FATCA) and logistical/political factors, leading to overwhelmed consulates and long waitlists for appointments, say The Washington Post and Immigrant Invest, according to Immigrant Invest. 

Can a country kick out a citizen?

Yes, a country can revoke citizenship, a process known as denaturalization, typically for fraud in obtaining it (like lying on applications), serious crimes (terrorism, treason, drug trafficking), or disloyalty/affiliation with hostile organizations, though this often applies to naturalized citizens and involves high legal burdens, especially in countries like the U.S., to prevent arbitrary deprivation of rights. Grounds vary by country, but generally involve actions undermining the state or its values. 

How many US citizens have been denaturalized?

While exact figures fluctuate, over 22,000 U.S. citizens had their citizenship revoked in the 20th century, mostly for political reasons, with modern efforts focusing on fraud, terrorism, or war crimes, averaging around a dozen cases annually, though increasing significantly under recent administrations, notes the Brennan Center for Justice, the American Historical Association, and the National Immigration Forum. 

Is it possible to cancel citizenship?

Yes, citizenship can be revoked (denaturalization) in the U.S., but only for naturalized citizens and generally only if it was obtained through fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts, requiring a federal court order; U.S.-born citizens cannot have their citizenship involuntarily revoked, but can voluntarily renounce it, and international law prohibits making someone stateless. Grounds for denaturalization include lying on applications (N-400) or at interviews, hiding affiliations with harmful groups, or not being qualified when naturalized. 

What are the disadvantages of giving up U.S. citizenship?

What happens when you renounce or lose your U.S. citizenship

• No longer have rights and responsibilities as a U.S. citizen. But you may still be: Subject to tax payments. Eligible for Social Security benefits.
• Must become a citizen of another nation or risk becoming "stateless"
• May need a visa to return to the U.S.

What is the exit tax for US citizens?

How much is the exit tax? There's no single rate. The IRS treats your worldwide assets as sold and taxes net gains above $890,000 (2025 exclusion) at capital gains rates of 15-20%, plus potential 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax.

How much to cancel U.S. citizenship?

Renouncing U.S. citizenship costs a mandatory, non-refundable $2,350 fee for the Certificate of Loss of Nationality (CLN), plus travel to a U.S. consulate for your oath, but potential major costs arise from IRS requirements like proving 5 years of tax compliance and paying an Exit Tax if you're a "covered expatriate," which can be substantial depending on your assets and income. 

Who will lose U.S. citizenship?

U.S. citizens can lose citizenship voluntarily by performing acts like naturalizing in a foreign country, serving in a foreign military, or taking an oath to a foreign state, with intent to give up U.S. citizenship. Involuntarily, naturalized citizens can face denaturalization for fraud, like hiding criminal history or major misrepresentation during the naturalization process, or for certain disloyal acts like treason or involvement with terrorist groups.
 

What if I give up my U.S. citizenship?

Renouncing U.S. citizenship is a permanent, irrevocable act that ends your rights as a citizen (like voting or getting a U.S. passport), makes you subject to visa requirements for U.S. entry, and can trigger complex tax obligations (like an exit tax), but you remain liable for past U.S. crimes or debts, and may still get Social Security benefits. You'll lose protection abroad, need a new citizenship to avoid statelessness, and face potential U.S. entry bans if done for tax evasion. 

How hard is it to revoke citizenship?

The Process of Revocation

Denaturalization is not a simple administrative action. It involves rigorous legal proceedings, with the government bearing the burden of proof. The U.S. Department of Justice initiates the process by filing a civil lawsuit in federal court.