Renunciation of U.S. citizenship is a serious and irrevocable act, which deserves your thoughtful consideration.
Relinquishment of U.S. citizenship by performing certain statutory expatriating acts, including taking the oath of renunciation, voluntarily and with the intent of relinquishing U.S. citizenship, is a personal right that cannot be exercised on a person’s behalf. For example, under current U.S. law, a person’s parent(s) or legal guardian may not take the oath of 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: STEPS 1-4 below outline the process for requesting a CLN under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 349(a)(1)-(5), 8 USC 1481(a)(1)-(5)
REQUESTING A CERTIFICATE OF LOSS OF NATIONALITY OF THE UNITED STATES (CLN)
U.S. Embassy Amman processes requests for a CLN. Minors, individuals who do not read or write English, individuals with mental health or cognitive disability or impairment and/or guardianship, and those for whom loss of U.S. nationality would result in statelessness are invited to contact the U.S. Embassy Amman on Amman-Acs@state.gov before proceeding with their request.
STEP 1: Review the legal requirements for and the effects of issuance of a CLN in your name.
Please read the information provided by the Embassy and available online at the Department of State and Internal Revenue Service links below regarding the legal requirements for and effects of issuance of a CLN. Loss of U.S. nationality is irrevocable, and you should fully understand the effect of issuance of a CLN before beginning this process.
For questions related to possible U.S. tax implications, please contact the Internal Revenue Service and/or 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 Fbu.naples@ssa.gov.
Department of State and Internal Revenue Service links:
- Oath of Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship – INA 349(a)(5) (state.gov).
- Advice about Possible Loss of U.S. Nationality and Dual Nationality (state.gov)
- Accepting, Serving in, or Performing Duties of a Position with the Government of a Foreign State – Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 349(a)(4);
- Loss of U.S. Nationality and Service in the Armed Forces of a Foreign State – Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 349(a)(3)
- Expatriation Tax Guidance
- IRS Form 8854 – Initial and Annual Expatriation Information Statement (PDF 133.1KB)
- Instructions for IRS Form 8854 (PDF 239KB)
- IRS Notice 2009-85 – Guidance for Expatriates Under Section 877A
STEP 2: Fill in MS Form initiate the process and receive instructions. Gather and submit scanned copies of the required documents and schedule your first interview.
To schedule an initial interview, which will be conducted by telephone or in-person at the embassy or consulate, or by e-mail if available, please send an email to Amman-Acs@state.gov
Applicants should personally review instructions for Form DS-4079 Questionnaire – Loss of United States Nationality; Attestations and complete applicable sections of Part I in accordance with the instructions. DO NOT COMPLETE OR SIGN ANY SECTION OF PART II OF THE DS-4079 BEFORE YOUR FINAL IN-PERSON INTERVIEW.
STEP 3: Schedule and attend the final interview at the Embassy with all required original documents; complete the required sections of PART II of the DS-4079 in person before the U.S. diplomatic or consular officer; and pay the required fee if you choose to proceed.
Schedule your final interview appointment according to Embassy instructions. On the day of your final interview appointment, you must bring the originals of all documents you previously submitted by email. You will be asked to reschedule if you do not have the required documents at the time of your final interview appointment.
Your Consular Report of Birth Abroad, and Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, if applicable, generally will be retained by the embassy or consulate during the remainder of the process and then returned to you. Your U.S. passport also will be retained and, if your Certificate of Loss of Nationality is approved by the Department of State, it will be canceled before it is returned to you upon your request. If you need to travel to the United States on your U.S. passport after the second interview but before the Certificate of Loss of Nationality has been approved, please so advise the embassy or consulate at the second interview.
You will meet with a U.S. diplomatic or consular officer for your second interview, and you will be given another opportunity to review the parts of the document that you have already filled out (but not signed) (Form DS-4079, Questionnaire – Loss of United States Nationality; Attestations) prior to signing where required.
Fee: Immediately after signing all applicable sections of Form DS-4079, Part II before a U.S. diplomatic or consular officer, if you choose to proceed, you must pay the non-waivable and non-refundable consular services fee for administrative processing of a request for a Certificate of Loss of Nationality. If your request for a Certificate of Loss of Nationality is denied, the fee is not refundable solely because of that denial.
Step 4: Receive the Certificate of Loss of Nationality if your request is approved by the Department of State
The Department of State will review each request for a Certificate of Loss of Nationality to determine whether there is a legal basis to approve it. This step may take several months or more. The embassy or consulate may contact you for further information before the Department of State decides your case. The embassy or consulate will email you if and when your request has been approved. If your request is denied, the embassy will send you an email attaching a denial letter.