How to Give Up American Citizenship in France
Many times people who travel in different countries frequently will have "dual citizenship." This means that they are citizens of two different countries. This can also happen naturally in some cases where a person is born to a mother of one country and a father from another. In America, there are thousands of people with dual citizenship. With this, people often wonder how they would give up their American citizenship and be a citizen of only one country, such as France. This process takes quite some time and is irrevocable, but it can be necessary for activities such as taking elected office in France. If this is something that you are interested in doing, there are certain steps that you will have to follow.
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Instructions
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Acquire French citizenship, if you don't already have it. Skipping over this step will leave you completely stateless at the end of this process and outside the protection of any government. This can be a complicated situation to find yourself in. Also, make sure that you have a lot of time to acquire your French citizenship. In France, you will have to live in the country for five years, be over 18 and able to speak and write French, plus prove good character and your loyalty to France, before you will be considered.
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Move out of the United States. According to the U.S. State Department, you cannot be in the United States when you choose to give up your American citizenship. This means that you will have to move to France before you can begin this process.
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Locate the closest U.S. Embassy in France. You will need to set up an appointment there for someone to hear your case about giving up your American citizenship. You will not be able to effectively do this process through the mail.
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Go to your meeting with the U.S. consular or diplomatic officer. Be sure to bring all of your forms of personal identification with you. This would include your proof of French and U.S. citizenship. Also you will need a photo identification and Social Security card.
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Sign an oath of renunciation. This will be your final step in giving up your American citizenship.
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Tips & Warnings
Giving up your American citizenship does not eliminate your debts or your military obligations in the United States. You will also not be able to escape prosecution for crimes that you committed in the United States by giving up your citizenship.
Giving up your American citizenship is irrevocable under most circumstances. You will be able to regain citizenship if you gave it up before you were 18, but you will be required to notify the U.S. State Department of this decision six months before your 18th birthday.
