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US Renunciation Fee Reduction
Table of Contents
What is the current US renunciation fee right now?
As of September 9, 2025, the US renunciation fee is still US$2,350. The proposed reduction to US$450 has not yet taken effect and is unlikely to. If you’re tracking US Renunciation Fee Reduction news, plan your timing and budget using US$2,350 until an official rule change is published and implemented, because it seem the reduction isn’t coming.
Does paying in a different currency change the amount?
No. Consulates may collect in local currency, but they convert to match the official fee of US$2,350 on the day.
Has the US renunciation fee been reduced to US$450 yet?
Short answer: not yet. The State Department proposed lowering the CLN fee from US$2,350 to US$450 back on October 2, 2023, but there’s been no final rule and no effective date announced. That means the lower amount isn’t live.
How will you know when it changes?
There will be a final rule and a clear effective date. Consulates will update their fee pages, and the official schedule will show the new number. Until then, it’s still US$2,350.
When will the fee drop to US$450, and how will you know the effective date?
What has to happen before any cut applies?
A reduction only kicks in after a final rule is published in the Federal Register and the eCFR fee table is updated. Until both are done, consulates must charge the fee that’s currently in force.
Is there a published effective date right now?
No. There isn’t an official effective date at the moment because a decision has not been made. The issue seems to be on the backburner. If you’re budgeting travel or timing paperwork, plan on the existing fee until a final rule goes live.
How do you keep tabs without doom-scrolling?
Check the eCFR fee table for the consular schedule and the rule’s docket page. Those two sources will show the effective date first. Consulate websites usually update soon after.
Does booking early lock in a future reduction?
No. The fee you pay is the fee in effect on the day you attend your appointment, not the day you booked it.
Considering renouncing US citizenship? Contact us for help.
Should you book your consulate appointment before or after a potential fee reduction?
What’s the practical way to decide?
If you need to renounce your US Citizenship soon for employment reasons, tax planning or any other reason, booking now is advisable. You’ll pay whatever fee applies on your appointment day.
What if your timing is flexible and you’re hoping for the US Renunciation Fee Reduction to US$450?
You can wait, but there’s no guarantee on when, or even whether, the cut will finalize. If you choose to hold off, set a reminder to check the eCFR and the rule docket regularly, and be ready to book quickly if a final rule appears.
Anything else to weigh before you pick a date?
- Backlogs and travel: some embassies have limited slots. If you’re flying in, factor in the cost of delays.
- Local currency: you may pay in local currency at the consular rate that day, but the US dollar amount is what drives it.
- Paperwork readiness: if your documents are already done, moving ahead may save you from redoing forms later, especially tax returns.
If you pay US$2,350 now and the fee later drops, will you get a refund?
The US renunciation fee is non-refundable, even if the fee later drops after you pay. Keep in mind you pay on the day you attend the embassy, not before.
It’s non-refundable because the fee covers the administrative processing for your Certificate of Loss of Nationality. Once you attend, take the oath, and the consulate accepts payment, the service has been provided and the charge stands.
What if the fee changes between your appointment and when your CLN arrives?
It doesn’t matter. The fee that applies is the one in effect on the day you appear at the embassy and pay. Later changes don’t trigger retroactive refunds.
Does booking early lock in a lower fee if one is announced later?
No. Booking doesn’t lock anything. The amount due is based on the appointment day, not the booking day.
What other costs and timelines should you plan for beyond the State fee?
What costs show up most often?
- Tax preparation and exit-tax review. Final return, dual-status issues, and Form 8854 as it applies to almost everyone.
- Travel to the embassy. Flights, accommodation, local transport, and time off work if your preferred embassy has limited slots.
- Documents and translations. Most bring English documents, but if anything needs translation or certification, add that to your budget.
- Mailing and copies. Secure postage for follow-ups and certified copies if requested.
- Miscellaneous. Passport photos, notary fees, and small admin charges.
What timeline should you expect?
- Request an appointment. Lead times vary by embassies and consulates – the time of year and political reasons. Many book weeks or months out.
- Attend the interview and take the oath. You’ll pay the fee at this visit.
- Wait for your CLN. It’s typically mailed to you. Processing time depends on the post and overall workload, but you should receive it in 2-3 weeks.
How do you keep costs and delays down?
- Check the consulate’s document list and bring exactly what’s requested, in the format they want.
- Choose an appointment you can actually make to avoid additional transport costs
- If you’re coordinating with tax-year deadlines or immigration steps, plan backward from your critical date and build in a buffer.
FAQs
Can I deduct the renunciation fee on my US taxes or claim a credit?
No. It’s a personal administrative fee, so it isn’t deductible and doesn’t generate a US foreign tax credit.
Do minors pay the same renunciation fee as adults?
How can I pay the fee: card or cash?
Can I choose any US embassy/consulate to renounce if slots are tight?
If the fee drops to US$450, will demand spike and make appointments harder to get?
