U.S. citizenship may be acquired either at birth or through naturalization subsequent to birth. Persons born outside of the U.S. may acquire U.S. citizenship under certain circumstances. For more information please read the Department of State’s information on Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship or contact us at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate e-mail address.

Find information about renouncing your U.S. citizenship on the travel.state.gov website.

Loss of U.S. citizenship is a serious and irrevocable act which deserves your thoughtful consideration. It is imperative that you fully understand the nature of its consequences prior to requesting a Certificate of Loss of Nationality. If you decide that this is the course of action you wish to pursue, there are several steps you need to take including arranging an appointment to come into the Embassy to sign the Loss of Citizenship documentation in the presence of a Consular Officer. Please note that the Statement of Understanding clearly states that the action you are taking is irrevocable.

Remember that expatriation is a personal right and can never be exercised by another person (including parents and/or legal guardians).

If you would like to proceed by making an appointment with a consular officer to renounce your citizenship, please send us an email at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate e-mail address.

This page is designed to help you locate the vital records you need, e.g. a birth or marriage certificate, a certified copy of a divorce decree, etc.  The Embassy is unable to obtain such documents on your behalf.

Note : For your U.S. document to be accepted by the Russian authorities, for example if you plan to get married, Russian authorities will also require that you provide an Apostille.  Please see our information on Apostilles for further instructions on how to obtain this document.

The United States government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. It expects U.S. citizens to travel on U.S. passports. Possessing and traveling on a Russian passport, outside of the United States, however, does not negate a traveler’s U.S. citizenship. U.S. citizens who choose to enter Russia on a Russian passport do face several possible difficulties.

U.S. citizens who have at one time held Russian citizenship are often required to renounce Russian citizenship before applying for a Russian visa in their U.S. passport. Unless a former Russian citizen has formally renounced his or her Russian citizenship through a Russian Embassy or Consulate, he or she always risks being considered a Russian citizen and not allowed to depart on any travel document except a Russian passport. This can also interfere with access to U.S. consular services in case of an emergency. This risk is greatly diminished if the traveler enters Russia on a U.S. passport and Russian visa.

Such persons should also be aware that if their Russian passport expires after entry, Russian authorities will not permit them to depart Russia using their U.S. passport. They will be required to obtain a new Russian passport – a process that generally takes several months. Russian external passports extended by Russian Consulates or Embassies overseas are not considered valid for departure from Russia no matter how long the extension. Bearers of such passports will have to apply for a new passport inside the country.

Males of conscript age (18 – 27 years old) who are deemed to be Russian citizens may experience problems if they have not satisfied their military service requirement.