How to Renounce US Citizenship
Last week, Green Day frontman Billy Joel Armstrong told a crowd in London that he plans to renounce US citizenship because the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade , removing the country’s federal right to abortion . It’s no surprise that the man whose band wrote the 2004 hit “American Idiot” announced that he was done with the entire country, but ordinary people can—and refuse to—relinquish citizenship too.
How to renounce citizenship in America
If you want to renounce your citizenship, the government has a website dedicated to information for you, but it contains a lot of what you probably already know: you will no longer be a citizen, so you will lose all rights and remedies. given to you as an American. In addition to active denial, you may lose your citizenship for other reasons, including the following:
- If you are running for public office in another country.
- If you are enlisting in the military in another country.
- If you are applying for citizenship in a foreign country with the intent to renounce your US citizenship.
- If you commit an act of treason against the United States.
The first two only apply “under certain conditions”, so if you’re considering running for office or joining another army, be sure to carefully consider your specific circumstances.
The government also warns that if you renounce your citizenship, not only will you lose your rights and obligations here, but you risk becoming “stateless” unless you become a citizen somewhere else. This means that you will not have any protection anywhere , and you may even face difficulties in traveling because you will not be eligible for a passport anywhere. Think about everything you need your ID for, from renting a house to getting a job, and don’t rush into anything that leaves you “stateless.” You’ll also likely need a visa to visit the US, so keep that in mind if you have friends or family here – or other obligations – who will be calling you frequently. If you cannot qualify for a visa, you may be permanently banned from entering the US.
Finally, if the Department of Homeland Security determines that your refusal is motivated by a desire to avoid paying taxes, you may also be banned from entering the country. The waiver also does not magically exempt you from paying taxes or military service, and does not allow you to avoid possible prosecution for crimes or payment of financial obligations, such as child support, that you previously incurred as a US citizen or in the country. Despite all this, giving up your citizenship may not always prevent a foreign country from deporting you back to the US as a non-citizen.
If you are sure of your choice, contact the US embassy or consulate in the country where you plan to live to renounce your US citizenship. Here is a list of embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions.
There will be documents and even some fees. Although you will no longer have to pay taxes, it is important to be aware of all your previous taxes. Be prepared to pay a $2,350 renunciation fee and possibly exit tax if you qualify as a covered alien.
Keep in mind that this is irreversible. The only time you can regain citizenship after renouncing it is if you did so before you turned 18. This will not only affect you, but also your children, who will no longer have the right to live and work in the US.
How to renounce citizenship abroad
This can also be done abroad. If you want to renounce your US citizenship, according to the State Department, you must do the following:
- Appear in person to a US consular or diplomatic official.
- Appear before an embassy or consulate in a foreign country.
- Sign the oath of renunciation.
Cancellations abroad that do not meet these conditions are void. You must do this in person, so check the list of embassies and consulates above to find the one closest to you and do it legally. You cannot do this in writing, electronically, or through a third party. Show up in person and be absolutely sure that this is what you want to do first and make a plan to acquire citizenship elsewhere before taking any steps.