Renouncing British Citizenship

Why People Renounce

Renouncing British citizenship is uncommon, but there are genuine reasons why people do it:

• Acquiring another nationality: Some countries do not allow their citizens to hold a second nationality. Whether that applies, and whether it requires a formal British renunciation, is decided by that country. See our dual citizenship guide for more on holding multiple nationalities.
• Tax reasons: The UK does not generally tax based on citizenship, but some countries do. A dual citizen may renounce one citizenship to simplify their tax obligations.
• Personal or political reasons: Some individuals choose to renounce for personal, philosophical, or political reasons.
• Regulatory requirements: Certain roles in other countries may require you to hold only that country's citizenship.

Eligibility to Renounce

To renounce British citizenship, you must:

• Be of full age and capacity. Section 12 treats anyone who has been married or has been in a civil partnership as being of full age for this purpose, whatever their actual age
• Have, or be about to acquire, a citizenship or nationality other than British citizenship

The second point is not a guideline but a limit on the power to register: section 12 says the Secretary of State cannot register the declaration unless satisfied that the person will, after registration, have or acquire another citizenship or nationality. And if they do not acquire one within 6 months of registration, the section says they are, and are deemed to have remained, a British citizen despite the registration.

The Renunciation Process

1. Obtain Form RN: The Declaration of Renunciation form (Form RN) is available from the GOV.UK website.
2. Complete the form: You declare that you wish to renounce your British citizenship. You must provide details of your other nationality.
3. Pay the fee: £513, from the Home Office fee table dated 8 April 2026.
4. Submit the declaration: Send it to the Home Office along with the fee and any supporting documents (such as evidence of your other nationality).
5. Wait for registration: The Home Office reviews your declaration and, if satisfied, registers it. You will receive a Declaration of Renunciation certificate.

Renunciation takes effect on the date the declaration is registered by the Home Office, not on the date you submit it.

Consequences of Renunciation

Renouncing British citizenship has immediate and significant consequences:

• Your British passport becomes invalid. You must not use it for travel after renunciation. Destroy it or return it to HM Passport Office. Review the citizenship travel benefits you will be giving up.
• You lose the right to live and work in the UK freely. You would need to apply for a visa to return, such as a Skilled Worker visa or visitor visa, just like any other foreign national.
• You lose the right to vote in UK elections. See our citizenship voting rights guide for what this means in practice.
• You lose access to British consular protection abroad.
• You cannot pass British citizenship to future children.
• You may lose access to NHS services (unless you re-enter the UK on a visa that includes the Immigration Health Surcharge).

These consequences are serious and far-reaching. Make sure you fully understand them before proceeding.

Can You Get It Back?

British nationality law allows for the resumption of citizenship in certain circumstances, but it is not automatic and can only be done once.

Section 13(1): An Entitlement, Used Once

Where the renunciation was made in order to acquire or keep another nationality, section 13(1) gives an entitlement to be registered again as a British citizen. It is not a discretion, but it can be used once only. The application is on form RS1, and registration as a British citizen costs £1,540 for an adult, with a £130 citizenship ceremony fee on top. An adult becomes a British citizen again at the oath, taken at a ceremony to be attended within 90 days.

Section 13(3): Discretion

Anyone who renounced for a different reason, or who has already used the entitlement, applies under section 13(3), which lets the Home Secretary register a person "if they see fit". GOV.UK does not publish a list of the factors weighed in that decision.

One technical point matters for children born later. Section 14 says a person registered under section 13 is a British citizen by descent only if they were a citizen by descent immediately before the renunciation. Someone who was a citizen otherwise than by descent before renouncing does not become a citizen by descent through resumption.

Alternative: Re-Naturalisation

Where neither section 13 route is open, the remaining path is the ordinary one: living in the UK on a visa, reaching indefinite leave to remain (settlement), and then meeting the standard naturalisation requirements. That takes years, and naturalisation costs £1,839 in total: £1,709 to apply and a £130 citizenship ceremony fee.

Before You Renounce: A Checklist

Given the seriousness of renunciation, consider the following before proceeding:

• Confirm you have another nationality. Do not renounce before your other citizenship is confirmed and documented.
• Confirm what the other country actually requires. The requirement to renounce comes from that country, so its own authorities are the source for whether it applies to you, and in what order the steps have to happen.
• Check tax implications. Review our citizenship tax implications guide and speak to a tax adviser about any consequences in both countries.
• Consider future plans. Will you want to return to the UK to live? Will you want your children to be British?
• Understand the limits on resumption. The section 13(1) entitlement can be used once. Anything beyond that is a discretion, not a right.
• Arrange alternative travel documents. Make sure you have a valid passport from your other country before your British passport becomes invalid.
• Take regulated advice. Nationality advice about an individual case is regulated in the UK: it comes from a solicitor, or from an adviser registered with or exempted by the Immigration Advice Authority, which took over from the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner on 16 January 2025. See our guide to applying alone or with a solicitor.

Renunciation vs Other British Nationalities

This guide focuses on renouncing British citizenship. However, you can also renounce other forms of British nationality, including:

• British Overseas Territories Citizenship
• British Overseas Citizenship
• British National (Overseas) status
• British Subject status
• British Protected Person status

The process is similar, but the implications differ. If you hold one of these other statuses, check the specific rules that apply.

Summary

Renouncing British citizenship is a significant step that should not be taken lightly. The process is straightforward (form plus fee), but the consequences are permanent unless you can resume later. Make sure you genuinely need to renounce, that you have another nationality to fall back on, and that you understand everything you are giving up.

If you are renouncing because another country requires it, that requirement is set by that country. Its embassy, high commission or nationality department is the place to confirm exactly what it asks for and when, because the order of the steps matters: British renunciation that does not lead to another nationality within 6 months does not stand.

Questions and answers