Fee Reduction for Renouncing U.S. Citizenship
The State Department has significantly lowered the cost for Americans who wish to formally renounce their U.S. citizenship—by about 80% to be precise.
After a series of legal challenges from groups advocating for those looking to give up their citizenship, a final rule was published in the Federal Register recently, adjusting the fee from $2,350 down to $450.
This fee change, which took effect immediately, was initially promised for implementation in 2023 but had been delayed. Interestingly, the prior amount had been set back in 2010 when the State Department first began processing such requests.
It’s worth noting that renouncing U.S. citizenship isn’t exactly straightforward. It’s a detailed and sometimes time-consuming process where applicants must repeatedly affirm—both verbally and in writing—to a consular officer that they fully comprehend what this choice entails before they can officially renounce their citizenship.
The fee had previously risen from $450 to $2,350 in 2015, ostensibly to accommodate the increasing number of individuals seeking to renounce. This uptick was largely driven by new tax filing requirements for expatriates that caused discontent for many.
Opposition, particularly from the France-based Association of Accidental Americans, surged after the fee hike. This group primarily represents individuals who have U.S. citizenship purely by birth, often while living abroad, and they’ve filed multiple lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of these fees. One ongoing case asserts that renouncing should be free of charge.
“The Accident Americans welcomes this decision, which recognizes the need to make this fundamental right accessible to all,” remarked Association President Fabien LeHagre, highlighting the persistence of their advocacy over the last six years.
The association noted that since the announcement in 2023 regarding the fee reduction, over 8,700 Americans have already paid the previous $2,350 fee to renounce their citizenship. However, the State Department hasn’t released specific figures on how many Americans have renounced their citizenship altogether.
