<P> Although many countries require citizenship of another nation before allowing renunciation, the United States does not, and an individual may legally renounce U.S. citizenship and become stateless . Nonetheless, the United States Department of State warns renunciants that, unless they already possess a foreign nationality or are assured of acquiring another nationality shortly after completing their renunciation, they would become stateless and without the protection of any government . </P> <P> In one case, Vincent Cate, an encryption expert living in Anguilla, chose to renounce his US citizenship to avoid the possibility of violating US laws that may have prohibited US citizens from "exporting" encryption software . </P> <P> Renunciation of U.S. citizenship was free until July 2010, at which time a fee of $450 was established . An increase to $2,350, effective September 12, 2014, was justified as "reflective of the true cost" of processing . This followed a fee increase of approximately 220% in 2013 . The increase took effect in January 2015 . </P> <P> On October 26, 2015 Forbes reported that during 2014, American dual citizens in Canada who were trying to renounce their U.S. citizenship created a backlog at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto . </P>

How much is it to renounce us citizenship