On this page:
- How much does it cost to renounce U.S. citizenship?
- Why did the State Department raise the renunciation fee so much?
- When did the higher renunciation fee take effect?
- How long can it take to get an appointment to renounce?
- What other consular fees changed at the same time?
- Where were the new fees published, and could the public comment?
How much does it cost to renounce U.S. citizenship?
The fee to process a Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship rose to US$2,350, up from US$450. That is an increase of more than 500%. The U.S. Department of State announced the change, and it applies to the consular service of accepting and adjudicating a renunciation.
Why did the State Department raise the renunciation fee so much?
The Department said the new fee reflects the true cost of providing the service. Documenting a renunciation is described as extremely costly, because U.S. consular officers overseas spend substantial time to accept, process, and adjudicate each case. The fee had previously been subsidized, and the Department said it seeks to recover the cost of consular services through the fees it collects. It reviews these costs regularly and adjusts fees to match the cost of service.
When did the higher renunciation fee take effect?
The new fee took effect on September 12, 2014. The Department announced the change from Mexico City on August 28, 2014, as part of a broader adjustment to processing fees for several consular services.
How long can it take to get an appointment to renounce?
At some consulate offices around the world, appointments for renunciations were reportedly not available until the year 2015. A person seeking to renounce may face a long wait, because demand for these appointments can exceed what a given consulate can schedule in the near term.
What other consular fees changed at the same time?
Most nonimmigrant visa processing fees stayed the same, but several other fees moved alongside the renunciation fee:
- The fee for E visas (treaty-traders and treaty-investors) decreased.
- The fee for K visas (for fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens) increased.
- The fee for Border Crossing Cards for Mexican citizen minor applicants under age 15 increased by $1.
- For immigrant visas, the fee for family-sponsored immigrant visas increased, as did the fee for domestic review of an Affidavit of Support.
- All other immigrant and special visa processing fees that changed decreased.
Where were the new fees published, and could the public comment?
The proposed fees were published in the Federal Register and took effect 15 days later. The change was issued as an interim final rule, viewable at http://www.regulations.gov. Comments were accepted until 60 days after publication, and the Department said it would consider the public comments and address them in the published final rule. Fee information may also be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, travel.state.gov, and on the websites of U.S. embassies and consulates.