The certificate is issued after individuals complete the formal process of renouncing citizenship outside the United States.
Applicants must appear before a U.S. diplomatic or consular officer abroad and confirm both verbally and in writing that they understand the consequences before taking an official oath of renunciation. The State Department then reviews the request before granting approval and issuing the document.
Advocacy groups representing Americans living abroad had long criticized the higher fee. Some organizations argued that the cost created an unnecessary obstacle to people attempting to exercise their legal right to renounce citizenship. Legal challenges were filed contesting the policy, including claims that the process should not carry any fee at all.
One of those groups, the Association of Accidental Americans, welcomed the change. Its president, Fabien Lehagre, said in a statement that the reduction “acknowledges the necessity of making this fundamental right accessible to all.”
While the updated policy lowers the financial barrier, the State Department has not released new data on how many Americans have recently renounced their citizenship.
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Source: Black Enterprise
