Although U.S. citizenship is the highest status that one can obtain under U.S. immigration law, it’s not necessarily as permanent as it sounds. Under certain circumstances, the U.S. government can revoke someone’s citizenship, via “denaturalization” proceedings. And it’s possible for U.S. citizens to voluntarily give up or renounce their status.
U.S. citizens (or nationals) can never be stripped of their U.S. citizenship (or nationality), with limited exceptions. Also, they can give citizenship up voluntarily.
It's uncommon for someone with U.S. citizenship to lose that status, but not impossible--find out more here.
Owe more than $2,500 in child support? You will not be given a U.S. passport, even if you're a citizen.
U.S. citizens (or nationals) can never be stripped of their U.S. citizenship (or nationality), with limited exceptions. Also, they can give citizenship up voluntarily.
Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.
Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.
Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.
Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.
Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.
Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.
Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.
We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.
Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.
Find plain-English definitions for legal terms by browsing Nolo's Law Dictionary.
Grow your firm with Martindale-Nolo, the largest legal network, and learn more about our attorney lead-generation and marketing services.
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.