How to Prepare for a U.S. Renunciation Appointment

Your renunciation appointment is the one part of the process that happens in person, and it’s natural to feel nervous about it. The good news: it is a formal but straightforward meeting, and most people are in and out within an hour.

This guide covers everything you need to prepare:

• What to bring
• Which forms you’ll see
• What the consular officer will ask
• What happens afterwards

The basics before you book

To renounce U.S. citizenship, you must:

• 1Appear in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United StatesYou cannot renounce on U.S. soil or by mail.
• 2Already hold another citizenshipThe U.S. generally won’t accept a renunciation that would leave you stateless.
• 3Act voluntarilyMeaning nobody is pressuring you.
• 4Understand what you’re doingRenunciation is permanent and can’t be undone.

Adults normally go through a single standard process. Minors can renounce too, but the consular officer looks much more closely at whether the decision is truly their own.

Booking your appointment

Each embassy or consulate runs its own renunciation appointments, usually through a booking page or an email request on its website.

• Book early.Wait times range from a few weeks to many months, and they tend to be longest at busy posts such as London, Toronto and Bern. Many clients request an appointment as soon as they sign up with us, so the waiting time runs while we prepare their returns.
• You don’t have to use the embassy in the country where you live.If your local post has a long wait list, ask whether a consulate in a neighboring country accepts non-residents.
• Expect one or two meetings.Most embassies handle everything in one visit. Some hold a first interview and ask you to come back to sign the oath after a short reflection period.
• Read the confirmation email carefully.Embassies often attach their own document checklist and instructions for the forms. Those instructions take priority over any general guide, including this one.

Documents to bring

Bring originals and a set of photocopies.

If your embassy’s checklist includes something not listed here, bring it. If you’re unsure about a document, email the embassy before the day rather than risk being turned away.

The forms you’ll see

Four State Department forms are part of the appointment. Your embassy will tell you which, if any, to complete in advance.

What happens at the appointment

1. Security

   Embassies have strict entry rules. Phones, laptops and bags are usually not allowed, and many embassies have no storage. Bring only your documents and your payment method, and arrive 15–20 minutes early.

2. Document review

   The consular officer checks your identity, your U.S. and foreign citizenship, and your forms.

3. The interview

   The officer’s job is to confirm three things: you understand renunciation is permanent, you are doing it voluntarily, and you know the consequences. Expect questions such as:

   • Why have you decided to renounce?
   • Do you understand you will need a visa or travel authorization to visit the U.S.?
   • Do you understand this cannot be reversed?
   • Has anyone pressured you into this?

   The officer is not there to change your mind or to judge your reasons. Answer calmly and honestly.

4. Signing the oath

   You read the Oath of Renunciation aloud and sign it, along with the Statement of Understanding, in front of the officer.

5. Paying the fee

   $450

   The government renunciation fee, effective April 13, 2026. Accepted payment methods vary by embassy (card, or local currency at the equivalent rate), so check your confirmation email.

What to say, and what to avoid

Be honest and give your real reasons. Good, truthful answers usually relate to your life abroad:

• “I have lived abroad permanently for many years and don’t plan to return.”
• “My family and my life are in [country].”
• “I no longer identify as an American.”
• “I want my citizenship to reflect where I actually live.”

After the appointment

1. Your file goes to Washington.

   The embassy sends your paperwork to the State Department for approval, which typically takes several months.

2. You receive your Certificate of Loss of Nationality (CLN).

   This is your official proof that you are no longer a U.S. citizen. Keep the original somewhere safe, along with digital copies.

3. Your U.S. passport is usually cancelled.

   Some embassies return it with the cancellation marked; others keep it.

4. Travel on your other passport from now on.

   For visits to the U.S., you’ll need a visa or an ESTA like any other foreign national. Try to avoid travelling to the U.S. while your CLN is still being processed.

5. Send us your appointment date and, later, a copy of your CLN.

   Clients: we need both to prepare your final return, which is the last step of your exit.

Your appointment-day checklist

Related readingRenouncing U.S. Citizenship: Complete Guide and FAQ