The State Department Reduces Fee for Renouncing US Citizenship by 80%
The State Department has announced a significant reduction in the fee for Americans looking to renounce their US citizenship. The cost has been slashed by about 80%, dropping from $2,350 to $450.
This change comes after years of legal battles with various groups advocating for easier access to renunciation. The final rule, published in the Federal Register on Friday, marks the implementation of the new fee, which was initially promised in 2023 but never put into effect. The cost now aligns with the original fee set in 2010 when the State Department first introduced charges for renouncing citizenship.
Renouncing US citizenship is a lengthy and involved process. Applicants must provide multiple written and verbal confirmations to a State Department consular officer, acknowledging the implications before taking a formal oath of renunciation, which is then reviewed by the department.
In 2015, the fee was increased from $450 to $2,350 to cover administrative costs. This surge in cost sparked opposition from groups like the Association of Accidental Americans, who argued that the fee was unconstitutional. They filed lawsuits, including one currently pending, advocating for no cost at all for renouncing citizenship.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke at the State Department on March 9, 2026, emphasizing the importance of this fee reduction in facilitating the renunciation process.
The Association of Accidental Americans praised the fee reduction as a victory for accessibility and fundamental rights. They highlighted the impact of their legal efforts in achieving this outcome after years of advocacy.
Since the announcement of the fee reduction, over 8,755 Americans have paid the full $2,350 to renounce their citizenship. The total number of Americans who have renounced their citizenship, however, remains undisclosed by the State Department.
