What is the process of telling Spain you renounce all other citizenships?

By
Bruno Bianchi
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Question

What is the literal process of telling Spain you renounce all other citizenships? Do you sign something? Do you say a verbal oath?

Has anyone done this at a US consulate?

If you are living in the US after renouncing to Spain and you need to renew your Spanish passport, how do you do that while being in the US, or do you need to make sure you’re in Spain when renewing it? Will Spain consulates in the US ask why you’re renewing in the US after you formally renounced US citizenship with them?
There are many questions and answers saying you can keep both citizenships, but nothing answering these specific questions. I want to know all roadblocks before I potentially renounce to Spain.

Answers

These are the answers of some Facebook group members:

“You don’t swear a verbal oath. The documentation you sign says something about it but of course that’s just for Spain’s purposes- it’s utterly meaningless to the United States, so as far as the US govt is concerned, you’re 100% still a citizen.
If you really DO want to renounce, yeah, you can do it at a US consulate. They’ll likely try and gently talk you out of it, or at least interview you a bit to ensure that you understand what it is that you’re doing.
Dunno yet, haven’t had to renew my passport”

“You only go to a US consulate, embassy, or State Dept. if you truly do want to not be a US citizen. In that case, you fill out a bunch of forms and pay a large “exit” fee—along with anything the IRS says you still owe.

You don’t go to a Spanish consulate to renew a US passport. So how can they ask?
The renunciation is meaningless, and Spain knows it. It’s just for show. On the other hand, I wouldn’t taunt them with it.”

“Spain doesn’t make you sign anything to my knowledge, but the US makes you pay to renounce your US citizenship. Additionally, if you renounce, you would need to go through the same process as any foreigner to return to live in the US. Also, you can never be an American citizen Again.”

“You do not need to officially renounce US citizenship. It’s merely ceremonial.”

“You can be a Spanish citizen living abroad — many Spanish people do. And there are procedures in place for them to renew their Spanish passports from abroad.
Spain has no right to determine what you do when outside Spain. They cannot stop you being a US citizen. But if you were to ever use your US passport inside Spain, there would be problems.”

“The government fee to renounce U.S. citizenship is $2,350. Additional costs might apply if you have to become tax compliant. You must be tax compliant for five years in order to renounce your US citizenship.”

“Spain doesn’t recognise dual citizenship with specific countries. But those countries recognise dual citizenship. So as long as you travel into Spain and out of Spain as spanish
Spain happy. Also when you are in Spain you are Spanish. In USA you are a dual national.

You swear an oath while in Spain to abide by its sovereignty and swear that you become Spanish. Much same when you become any citizen really. Oath of allegiance.”

“As far as I’m aware, there is no precedent for this, if they offer you citizenship you accept it and that’s the end of it. I know many people in Spain, among them a couple of Americans who have Spanish citizenship and have retained their American citizenship, I don’t believe it’s an issue!”

“The application form that you sign has the declaration included in it.
If you become a Spanish citizen then never use a US passport to enter or leave the EU, as that one way they would know that you kept your other citizenship.”

“Contact your us embassy or consulate and they can explain it all to you. They know the law and treaties best. (nope, you don’t have to renounce, but if you choose to, talk to your embassy or consulate)”

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