Documents to Request the Consular Officer When Renouncing U.S. Citizenship

The U.S. Department of State does not always provide any specific document, e.g., a certified copy of any of the following documents, after you take the oath of renunciation:

Form DS-4081, Statement of Understanding Concerning the Consequences and Ramifications of Relinquishment or Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship.

Form DS-4082, Witnesses’ Attestation Renunciation/ Relinquishment of Citizenship[1] (if the person does not speak English)

Therefore, you should request at least one document, you will be entitled to, assuming you pay the US$450 fee for renouncing citizenship. That document is a mere receipt from the U.S. Department of State of the US$450 payment and will look something like this:

You will not pay, nor receive a receipt if you process your “relinquishment” as opposed to renunciation.

Please keep this receipt of payment in safekeeping, as it reflects the date of your meeting for your renunciation.  This becomes a crucial date for U.S. tax purposes, as explained throughout various posts on this blog –

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See, for instance, Why Section 7701(a)(50) is so important for those who “relinquished” citizenship years ago (without a CLN)]

Some Consulate or Embassy offices do provide a letter acknowledging the act of renunciation.  A sample of such letter (redacted without names) is identified here –

The key information provided in this letter (if you are provided one – as not all Consulates or Embassy’s provide the individual with such a letter), explains as follows:

1.  The US Department of State will submit the CLN, if they “approve” the renunciation;
2. The U.S. passport will be retained by the Consulate General; and
3. The date of the appearance and oath taken (which is important for timing purposes as explained in the prior post regarding Section 7701(a)(50)).