Many new citizens worry their status could be taken away. The reassuring reality: for honest applicants, losing citizenship is very rare.
How citizenship can be lost
- Denaturalization — a court process used in rare cases, usually for fraud or concealment during the naturalization process (for example, hiding a serious crime or lying about eligibility).
- Voluntary renunciation — choosing to give up citizenship, a formal legal step.
What does NOT cause you to lose citizenship
- Living abroad
- Holding dual citizenship (the U.S. allows it)
- Ordinary mistakes or minor issues after you become a citizen
Why honesty during naturalization matters
Because denaturalization is almost always tied to fraud in the original application, the best protection is simple: answer everything truthfully and disclose fully on your N-400 and at your interview.
Birthright citizens
People who are citizens by birth generally cannot lose citizenship except by voluntarily renouncing it.
Get ready: Take the free US citizenship practice test and review the 30-day study plan.
Independent free resource, not affiliated with USCIS or the U.S. government, and not legal advice. Rules and fees change — confirm the latest at uscis.gov.
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