Do I lose my original citizenship after becoming a US citizen?
TL;DR: The US itself does not require you to give up your original citizenship to naturalize — US law permits dual citizenship. But whether you actually keep it depends entirely on your home country's laws, since some countries automatically revoke citizenship when you naturalize elsewhere.
The Claim
Naturalization requires taking the US Oath of Allegiance, which includes language renouncing "all allegiance and fidelity" to foreign states — but in practice, the US government does not enforce this as an actual requirement to formally renounce your other citizenship, and does not ask other countries to strip your original nationality.
The Evidence
The US has permitted dual citizenship in practice for decades, confirmed through immigration policy and consistent State Department guidance. What actually determines whether you keep your original citizenship is your home country's own nationality law, not US law. Some countries (like India) do not recognize dual citizenship at all and require you to formally renounce Indian citizenship upon acquiring another one, offering instead a special status like Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) that grants many benefits but is not citizenship. Other countries (like the UK, Canada, and many EU nations) fully permit their citizens to hold US citizenship simultaneously without penalty.
How Countries Typically Handle It
| Home Country Policy | What Happens After US Naturalization |
|---|---|
| Fully allows dual citizenship (e.g., UK, Canada, most EU) | You keep both citizenships with no action required |
| Requires formal renunciation (e.g., India) | Original citizenship is lost unless you renounce first or hold a special status instead |
| Automatically revokes on foreign naturalization (varies by country) | Original citizenship ends automatically; you may need to check for any special retention procedures |
Step-by-Step: Figuring Out Your Situation
- Check your country of origin's specific nationality law on dual citizenship (this varies enormously and changes over time).
- If your country prohibits dual citizenship, decide before naturalizing whether you're prepared to lose that citizenship, or whether an alternative status (like India's OCI) fits your needs.
- If your country allows dual citizenship, you generally don't need to do anything special — you simply hold both.
- Contact your home country's embassy or consulate directly for definitive, current guidance, since this is governed entirely by their law, not US law.
- Understand that the US Oath of Allegiance's renunciation language does not by itself strip your foreign citizenship — it's a formality the US doesn't enforce against dual nationals.
FAQ
Does the US Oath of Allegiance legally end my other citizenship? No. The oath's renunciation language is symbolic under US practice; the US does not notify or coordinate with other countries to revoke your original citizenship.
Can I use two passports after naturalizing? Yes, if your home country still recognizes you as a citizen, you can generally hold and use both passports, though US citizens are required to enter and exit the US on their US passport.
What if my country doesn't allow dual citizenship? You'll typically lose your original citizenship automatically upon naturalizing, unless you renounce it proactively or that country offers an alternative special status.
Does dual citizenship affect US taxes or military service obligations? Dual citizens remain subject to US tax filing obligations on worldwide income regardless of where they live, and separately may have unrelated obligations (like registering for Selective Service) — these are independent of the citizenship-retention question itself.
By Pinal Dave Last updated: 2026-07-24