Yes — the United States permits dual (and even multiple) citizenship. A person can be a citizen of the United States and one or more other countries at the same time. U.S. law does not require someone who naturalizes as a U.S. citizen to formally renounce an earlier nationality, and it does not force people who are already citizens to choose between passports.
An important nuance sits underneath that answer: the United States does not actively "recognize" or "deny" dual citizenship the way some countries do. It neither encourages nor prohibits it — it simply allows the status to exist. The real limits on holding two citizenships usually come from the other country's laws. Some nations let their citizens keep a second nationality; others require you to give up your original citizenship when you naturalize elsewhere.
There Is No "Dual Citizenship" Application
The U.S. has no form, fee, or certificate for dual citizenship. It arises automatically from the way two countries' laws interact — which is exactly why the other country's rules matter most.
How People Become Dual Citizens
There is no application for dual citizenship itself — no dedicated form, no fee, no certificate. Instead, dual status arises as a byproduct of how two countries' citizenship laws interact. Three paths are by far the most common.
1. Naturalizing in the U.S. while keeping birth citizenship
A lawful permanent resident who completes the naturalization process becomes a U.S. citizen. If that person's country of origin allows its nationals to keep citizenship after naturalizing abroad, they now hold both. The United States does not ask you to surrender your foreign passport and does not report your naturalization to your home country. Our Naturalization Process Guide walks through eligibility, the N-400 application, and the interview.
2. A U.S. citizen acquiring another nationality
A U.S. citizen may gain a second citizenship by descent through a parent or grandparent, by marriage to a foreign national, or by naturalizing in another country. Voluntarily obtaining a foreign citizenship does not automatically cost you your U.S. citizenship — you keep it unless you specifically intend to give it up.
3. A child born with two citizenships
Many people are dual citizens from birth without ever taking any action at all. A child born in the United States to foreign parents is generally a U.S. citizen by birth and may also inherit the parents' nationality. A child born abroad to a U.S.-citizen parent may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth while also holding the citizenship of the country where they were born. For children who acquired citizenship automatically, our N-600 Certificate of Citizenship guide explains how to document it.
The Oath of Allegiance Question
One of the most common sources of confusion is the Oath of Allegiance taken at a naturalization ceremony. Its language includes renouncing "allegiance and fidelity" to any foreign state or sovereignty, and many new citizens read that line and worry they have just legally surrendered their original citizenship.
In practice, the United States does not require you to hand over your other passport or cancel a foreign nationality. The oath is a statement of allegiance to the United States; the U.S. does not treat it as a formal act that strips your other citizenship. Just as important, most other countries do not regard the American oath as a valid legal renunciation under their own laws — you remain their national until you follow their specific renunciation procedures. Many naturalized Americans therefore lawfully keep both citizenships. If preserving your original nationality matters to you, confirm the rules with that country's consulate before your ceremony.
Which Countries Allow Dual Citizenship?
Because the practical limits come from the other country, the single most important question is what your other country of citizenship permits. Broadly, countries fall into three groups. The examples below are illustrative rather than a legal guarantee — these policies change frequently and often carry exceptions.
| Approach | Example Countries | What It Generally Means |
|---|---|---|
| Generally allows dual citizenship | Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico, France, Italy | You may usually keep this citizenship after naturalizing in the U.S. |
| Restricts or allows conditionally | Germany (historically limited), Spain (only via certain treaty countries), South Korea (limited cases) | Dual status is allowed only in specific situations or with permission. |
| Generally prohibits / requires renunciation | India (offers OCI, not citizenship), China, Japan, Singapore | You may lose this citizenship when you become a U.S. citizen. |
India is a frequent point of confusion: it does not permit dual citizenship, but it offers the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which provides many residency and travel benefits without being actual citizenship. Rules everywhere shift over time — Germany, for instance, has moved toward broader acceptance of dual nationality. Always verify your specific situation with the other country's embassy or consulate before relying on these buckets.
Traveling With Two Passports
Holding two passports is perfectly legal, but one firm U.S. rule is essential to remember: federal law requires U.S. citizens to enter and leave the United States on a U.S. passport, even when they also hold another nationality. When you travel to your other country of citizenship, you generally use that country's passport to enter and exit there.
In everyday terms, dual citizens often carry both documents — the U.S. passport for U.S. border control and the second passport for the other country. Using the correct passport at each border keeps you compliant with both countries' entry laws and avoids unnecessary questions.
Taxes and Dual Citizenship
The United States is one of very few countries that taxes based on citizenship rather than residence. U.S. citizens, including dual citizens living permanently abroad, are generally required to file U.S. tax returns and report their worldwide income regardless of where they live or earn it.
This citizenship-based taxation brings reporting obligations that surprise many dual citizens, including the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) for foreign accounts above certain thresholds and reporting under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). At the same time, tools such as the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and foreign tax credits exist to reduce or eliminate double taxation for many filers. The rules are detailed and change over time, so a cross-border tax professional — not a general summary like this one — should review your particular circumstances.
Downsides and Considerations
Dual citizenship is an advantage for most people, but it carries a few trade-offs worth understanding.
- Security clearances and some federal jobs. Holding a foreign citizenship — and especially actively using a foreign passport — can complicate eligibility for U.S. security clearances and certain government positions. It is not an automatic bar, but it may prompt additional review, and some sensitive roles may expect you to renounce the other citizenship.
- Military or civic obligations abroad. Some countries impose mandatory military service or other duties on their citizens. As a dual citizen, you may still be subject to those obligations in the other country.
- Limited U.S. consular protection. When you are physically in the country of your other nationality, that country may treat you strictly as its own citizen. This can limit the assistance U.S. consular officials are able to provide you there.
How to Get Dual Citizenship
There is no direct dual citizenship application; you obtain a second citizenship through one country's process while your other country lets you keep the first. Common paths include:
- Naturalize in the United States. If you are a permanent resident, becoming a U.S. citizen while your home country permits retention leaves you holding both. Prepare with our Naturalization Process Guide and the Citizenship Test Guide. If you are not yet a permanent resident, start with our Green Card Guide.
- Claim citizenship by descent. Many countries grant citizenship to the children or grandchildren of their nationals. If you qualify through ancestry, you may be able to obtain that citizenship while keeping your U.S. status.
- Citizenship by marriage. Some countries offer a faster path to naturalization for the spouses of their citizens.
- Investment or residency programs abroad. A number of countries offer citizenship or long-term residency in exchange for qualifying investment. These programs vary widely and should be approached carefully with professional advice.
Dual Citizenship at a Glance
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| Does the U.S. allow dual citizenship? | Yes — dual and multiple citizenship are permitted. |
| Which passport for U.S. entry and exit? | Always your U.S. passport. |
| How does the U.S. tax dual citizens? | On worldwide income (citizenship-based), with reporting such as FBAR and FATCA. |
| Who should you verify the rules with? | The other country's embassy or consulate, plus a cross-border tax professional. |
Key Takeaway
The United States clearly allows dual — and even multiple — citizenship, and it does not force you to renounce another nationality to be an American. Whether you can actually keep a second citizenship depends on the other country's laws, which change over time, so confirm your situation with that country's consulate. Remember the firm U.S. rule to always enter and exit on your U.S. passport, plan for citizenship-based taxation, and weigh considerations like security clearances before you decide.
FAQs
Does the U.S. allow dual citizenship?
Yes. The United States permits dual and even multiple citizenship. U.S. law does not require a naturalized citizen to give up their previous nationality, and the government neither formally recognizes nor prohibits dual status — it simply allows it. Whether you can keep your other citizenship depends mainly on the laws of that other country, so confirm with its consulate.
Will I lose my U.S. citizenship if I get another passport?
No, not automatically. A U.S. citizen who voluntarily obtains another citizenship keeps U.S. citizenship unless they act with the specific intention of giving it up. Losing U.S. citizenship generally requires a voluntary and intentional act of relinquishment, not simply acquiring or using a second passport.
Which passport do I use to enter the U.S.?
Your U.S. passport. Federal law requires U.S. citizens to enter and leave the United States using a U.S. passport, even if they also hold another nationality. You can use your other passport when traveling to and entering your other country of citizenship.