The cost for Americans who wish to formally renounce their United States citizenship has been significantly reduced, following a new decision by the State Department.

According to an official rule published in the Federal Register, the fee has dropped by roughly 80%, falling from $2,350 to $450. The revised charge came into force on Friday, after being announced in 2023 but not implemented at the time.

Interestingly, the new amount restores the fee to its original level set in 2010, when the government first began charging individuals to undergo the renunciation process.

A complex and time-consuming procedure

Giving up U.S. citizenship involves several steps. First, applicants must submit the required paperwork and personal statements explaining their decision. Next, they must attend an in-person appointment at a U.S. consulate or embassy, where they provide written statements and verbal confirmations before a consular officer. At this stage, they must show they fully understand the legal and personal consequences of renouncing their citizenship.

After the consular appointment, the applicant takes a formal oath of renunciation. The case then undergoes a final review and approval by the State Department before the process is considered complete and citizenship is officially relinquished.

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Why had the fee risen

The price of renouncing citizenship was sharply increased in 2015, when it jumped from $450 to $2,350. Officials said the rise was intended to cover rising administrative costs, as more Americans — particularly those living overseas — sought to renounce their nationality.

A major factor behind this surge was stricter U.S. tax reporting rules affecting expatriates, which caused frustration among many dual citizens and long-term residents abroad.

Legal challenges and advocacy

The high fee prompted strong criticism from advocacy groups, including the Association of Accidental Americans based in France. The organization represents individuals who hold U.S. citizenship mainly because they were born in the country, even though they have spent most of their lives elsewhere.

Over several years, the group filed lawsuits arguing that the fee was unconstitutional and that citizens should be able to renounce their nationality without financial barriers. One case is still ongoing and calls for the complete elimination of the charge.

The association welcomed the recent decision, describing it as an important step toward making what it considers a fundamental right more accessible. Its president, Fabien Lehagre, credited years of legal action and campaigning for the outcome.

Many still paid the higher price.

Court filings from the group indicate that since the fee reduction was first announced in 2023, at least 8,755 Americans have already paid the previous $2,350 to renounce their citizenship.

The State Department has not released overall figures on how many people have taken this step.