Published: June 15, 2026 • Author: Amira Khalil
U.S. law allows naturalized citizens to hold dual citizenship. You do not have to choose between your original nationality and your new U.S. citizenship, nor will the U.S. government force you to surrender your old passport.
However, there are important legal details you need to understand regarding the U.S. Oath of Allegiance and how your home country's laws handle naturalization abroad.
The U.S. government does not actively promote dual citizenship, but it fully permits and tolerates it. There is no U.S. statute or constitutional rule that requires a naturalized citizen to choose one nationality over another. When you take your oath and become a U.S. citizen, the United States does not contact your home country to cancel your original citizenship.
The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld that a person can hold two citizenships simultaneously, noting that a citizen has the right to retain their original status unless they voluntarily choose to give it up.
During your naturalization ceremony, you will stand and recite the Oath of Allegiance. The oath contains some very old, formal language, including a promise to "absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty."
While this sounds like you are legally erasing your past nationality, the U.S. government interprets this strictly as a declaration of your political loyalty to the United States. It means that if there is a conflict of interest, your primary legal obligation is to the U.S. It does not mean the U.S. automatically strips you of your birth citizenship. That decision is determined entirely by the laws of your home country.
Whether you can remain a dual citizen depends entirely on the laws of the country you are coming from. The world is generally divided into two groups on this issue:
Because these foreign laws change, it is highly recommended to check the current policy of your home country’s embassy or consulate before you attend your Oath Ceremony.
No. During your naturalization interview and the subsequent Oath Ceremony, USCIS officers will review your foreign passports to verify your travel history, but they will not confiscate them. You get to keep your old passport.
However, once you are a U.S. citizen, there is one strict rule you must follow: You must enter and depart the United States using a valid U.S. passport. You can use your foreign passport to enter your home country (which is often required if they require citizens to enter on local documents), but when returning home to the U.S., you must present your U.S. passport to customs officials.
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Start a Free Practice TestDisclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and does not constitute formal legal advice. If you have specific concerns about how acquiring U.S. citizenship will impact your property rights, taxes, or status in your home country, please consult an immigration attorney or your country's consulate.
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