Dual Citizenship & Renunciation Basics

by bam

A plain-language, non-partisan guide to holding two citizenships and to formally giving up U.S. citizenship: what dual nationality is and that U.S. law permits it, the general ways a second citizenship is acquired (by descent, naturalization, or marriage, rules vary by country), the practical implications (which passport to use, taxes, military service and other obligations), and the formal, in-person, irrevocable process for renouncing U.S. citizenship before a consular officer, including its tax consequences. This course takes no position on whether to acquire or renounce a citizenship, it explains how the systems work. Cited to the U.S. Department of State, USCIS, and the IRS. Educational only, not legal or tax advice.