Consulate Report Directory (Brockers Describe their Consulate Meetings) and CLN Delivery Time Chart Part 2
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Wonder what really happens at the consulates? Find out in the Isaac Brock Society’s Consulate Report Directory, currently 279 pages of first-hand accounts of renunciation/relinquishment appointments, arranged by consulate location, along with further information and links to the required Dept of State forms and the Dept of State manuals used by the consulates in processing CLN applications, with an appendix containing a timeline chart (booking-meeting-CLN) as reported by consulate location.
The Directory is updated as consulate visit stories are posted on the website.
You can post here or elsewhere on the site (we’ll keep an eye out for them). Some comments may be excerpted or condensed slightly in the consulate reports. The original posts and comments remain on their threads are not edited.
Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences…and keep ’em coming! It’s a new experience for everyone and your information is really helpful.
To change or delete your report in the Directory, you can post the change as a comment on this thread or e-mail Pacifica@isaacbrocksociety.ca
Click here for the Consulate Report Directory
Notes:
Consulates are listed alphabetically by country and the Directory’s table of contents links to each section (they don’t look like links, but they are.)
This thread is a continuation of Consulate Report Directory Part 1, which contains earlier discussion on this topic, 929 comments from its inception in March 2012 through February 2013.
To Book an Appointment and/or Request Information from your Local Consulate:
This post by Eric, Almost No US Citizenship Renunciation Appointments Left During 2016 in Dublin, contains a chart of links to the consulates’ website pages on renunciation/relinquishment, for info on booking appointments and/or requesting information at your location. (The title highlights Dublin, but the charts, article and discussion cover consulates around the world.)
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@ Geri @ mykitty
I’m following your posts very carefully. I have my appointment this Thursday based on my government employment (municipal). I’m relieved that mykitty got (is getting) her CLN so quickly. If I meet up with resistance (I’m dual since birth too), I know to have my paperwork sent to Washington anyway.
I don’t see how the consulate can continue to send it forward without recommending approval since the paperwork is approved by Washington in the end. Don’t they look at what comes back to them?
My CLN has just arrived … I watched the postal carrier come down the street and met him on the front porch!!!
My CLN is back dated to my start date at the Canadian Federal Government in the late 1980’s … “in accordance with Section 349(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.”
Thank you to everyone at The Isaac Brock Society. Without you I would not have had the courage and the strength to get through that awful appointment at the US Consulate.
I’ll write a more thorough consulate report for the directory in the next few days.
Well, here’s a new one for the books, or at least the Consulate Directory… I went to document my past relinquishment today at the Toronto consulate based on my employment with a municipal government. I’m a dual citizen from birth, so before mykitty got her CLN this week, I had some concerns.
Absolutely no concerns about dual citizenship from birth today. A question about the last time I was at the consulate (I only had a hospital birth certificate which they wouldn’t accept), but that was cleared up quickly. The problem I had was with the municipal government aspect.
Hold on for the kicker here folks…they were not sure if anything other than federal government could be considered as a “political subdivision thereof” from 349 (a) (4A). They couldn’t find any clarification of what that actually meant. The young gentleman I talked to seemed very wet behind the ears and he said that he had not dealt with a relinquishment based on government employment and asked if I would wait until his supervisor came in.
After consulting with the supervisor, it seemed she had only dealt with federal employees and she wasn’t sure if Provincial or Municipal governments fell under this or not. I knew Provincial certainly did as I knew there were IBS people who got their CLN based on Provincial employment and one even from hospital employment.
So my documentation is being sent to Washington with a big question mark on it. Six to nine months wait is to be expected he said.
On the plus side, I did include in my documentation a letter from the City Clerk explaining that the Municipality is a political subdivision of the Canadian government.
Another thing that is odd is that the first time I was filling out the forms, I emailed just to make sure that municipal government did fall under that government employment section and they had replied “yes”. Unfortunately, that person isn’t at the consulate any more. But I guess the important part is in Washington either way.
So, here I’ll sit in limbo for another six to nine months. At least I’m feeling a bit better that that part is done, that they didn’t say “no” and that there is still hope that I can cleanly cut ties with the US.
Moderator could you please ask Canadagirl.403 to contact me via my email. Thanks
@ Dianne.
Sent your request.
@ Kathy,
Thanks very much for your report. That’s good that you got that letter from the City Clerk to include in your package. It sounds pretty good, based on that, and the reply you got from the consulate earlier, and that the staff you dealt with sound like they weren’t clear on the issue but not trying to derail the matter. Presumably it will all work out smoothly in Washington. I hope you get your CLN soon. MyKitty’s came a lot sooner than expected.
Kathy, did you ask for or did they give you a receipt for your records in case you wanted to cross the border?
@George I didn’t bother. I’m not sure I’ll ever go there again after all this. It’s really put me off spending my vacation dollars there. I’m even finding that if I have a choice between products, I’ll buy the one not from the US – like the glass of wine I got with dinner after the appointment. I couldn’t bring myself to get the Cabernet Sauvignon because it was from California.
@Kathy – I was thinking of you yesterday, and it’s great to hear that counsel is sending your paperwork to Washington.
@mykitty @pacifica777
Thanks. Happy it’s on its way without a recommendation to not approve.
Two others were there renouncing. One, who I didn’t talk to, seemed to know all about the tax issues as her US father left because of Vietnam. But the woman I was sitting beside had no idea what she was getting into. I really didn’t have the heart to try to tell her as she had already handed in her papers and was just waiting to take the oath.
She had been here since she was 7 and had no idea about filing obligations until recently. She thinks that if she renounces, she free and clear. All I could manage to do was whisper to her “don’t mention taxes as a reason you’re renouncing.”
Sigh. It worries me the number of people who are going to wake up and find a letter from the IRS in the mail one day.
@mykitty, congratulations on success with getting your CLN!
@Kathy, good luck with your relinquishment. It would be absurd if they were to argue that municipal government is not a ‘political subdivision’ – since municipalities are a creation/creature of the province. Surely a province is a ‘political subdivision’. And take heart re the wait time you were quoted – it doesn’t seem longer than that quoted to others who attended at the Toronto consulate recently.
@badger
Thanks for the words of support. I don’t know how I would have got through this without all of you here. IBS has been wonderful.
Kathy and badger: “Hear, Here”
Congratulations @mykitty. I have just mailed today a letter with several sections of their law showing why I should get my backdated CLN. Traceable mail to Washington. Regular mail to Washington. The same info to the US ambassador in Canada. Outlining my experience in Calgary and that the vice counsel was denying it. But asked how that could be under their own laws. And the fact that I had relinquished with intent everyway possible. Funny thing was I also today got an email from the Calgary office asking if I still wanted to send further documents with my file that has not yet been sent to Washington. I advised that I have sent it and to where I had sent it. They suggested that I still send them a copy to be sent with my file. I was not sure if I should send it to the Calgary office as I was outlining my experience with the vice counsel. But figured if they know I have already sent the info they will also send it. I am hoping that someone will ensure I get the backdated certificate.
@Dianne. Sorry for the late delay but the request went to my junk mail. I have sent you my email address.
FYI – CLN finally received this week 7 months after renouncing.
@ purekiwi
Congratulations! Must feel good after that long wait! I thought the Asia & Oceania region was supposed to be faster than that. The Osaka Consulate told me it would only be a month after my appointment, which I have put off to September even though they offered early August.
@purekiwi, hoorah, now you really are pure kiwi! Congratulations!
My expatriation experience: emailed Calgary consulate in October 2013. Filled out 2 forms and emailed back, and got my appointment for early January.
Arrived 30 minutes early, making sure not to bring key fob for my vehicle. After going through a security check downstairs, they shuffled me to the front of the line and led me (and the now behind me group) up an elevator to a secure floor and another checkpoint. After going through first, I went to a teller who asked for my proof of citizenship, and $450. I had $250 USD cash and a credit card (for the difference) they said they couldn’t split the transaction (I ended up putting it all on a credit card). They then directed me to the front of the room for American Citizen Services (maybe 5 people sitting there). As I waited, I could hear another girl (young – probably in her 20s) renouncing. There we probably 40 people sitting behind me – I assume that were not citizens, but there for other reasons.
After reviewing and correcting a document they had prepared, I then was directed to enter a side room (semi-private) where I met with a nice lady. She asked me why I was there, and renouncing. I basically told her because I was born in Canada, and have made my entire life in Canada. I also mentioned that if the Olympics were on, I would cheer for Canada. She laughed at that and moved on. She then had me read the renunciation document out loud. I did that. She gave me a receipt and said that it may take a while to get my CLN.
I walked out feeling very happy and no longer feeling like I had an 800 lb gorilla on my back. As I drove home I became acutely aware of all of the Canadian flags waving from different buildings – I teared up a bit, as this was a long journey for me (emotionally) – these were tears of joy. I got my CLN in July 2014 in the pre-paid self addressed Canada post envelopes I provided at their request (at my renunciation appointment).
I want people here to know that I renounced even though I am compliant and can afford continuing compliance. I also am a dual at birth so I am exempt (I live in Canada) from the exit tax. I will not allow a country I have never lived in to treat me like garbage and hold me hostage to ridiculous laws that can change on a whim. I am proud to be 100% Canadian. Thank you Isaac Brock Society for information and inspiration. I am not 100% done yet (8854 etc) but will be glad when that time comes (and the SOL runs out).
Congratulations on receipt of your CLN, BornInCanada. May every “Accidental American” who wants to also be able to free themselves, one way or another, of a citizenship for which they had NO CHOICE.
I relate to your emotional tears of joy at the great burden you “accidentally” carried now gone. Thanks for sharing the end of your US story here!
Congrats, BornInCanada. Well done!
I was a dual EU country/US citizen. I renounced US citizenship in August 2013 at the US embassy in Copenhagen Denmark. I received the CLN in May 2014. My name has no yet appeared on the Federal Registry list. I know of 2 other duals who renounced in Oct and Nov 2013. They have not yet received a CLN. The process in Copenhagen was uncomplicated and required one visit. But there is no explanation given for the long waiting time.
@woofy – what is the “reaffirmation” of which you speak? Citizenship & Immigration Canada told me last week they don’t have a procedure or a form for reaffirmation as an adult.
Today I visited the consulate in Vancouver. One security check outdoors and a 2nd indoors. I was mindful to leave every pointy, electronic, hazardous, moist or otherwise dangerous item at home and arrived with only my documents and identification. I was ushered up a staircase through the metal detector and into the elevator. Once inside the consulate I was alone all the seats were empty, the consular informed me I was the only interview of the whole afternoon. The staff were very friendly and I suppose to their minds helpful. Both the clerk and the Consular encouraged me to renounce not relinquish as my relinquishment would be denied and I would have to come back later to renounce and then the fee would be going up to I think they said 2800.00 but it might be 2400.00 I stopped listening after they repeated no relinquishment one too many times. I insisted they forward my file to Washington.
Over the hedge,
Thanks for your report of “relinquishment?” at Vancouver U.S. Consulate today. Good for your for insisting they forward your file to Washington!!!!
And, thanks for the information on what the new price of freedom might be. I have cross-posted your comment on here: http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2014/08/21/u-s-consulate-appointments-toronto-is-booked-up-no-problem-you-can-go-somewhere-else-adding-to-your-expense-for-the-whole-u-s-expatriation-experience/. Absolutely unbelievable.