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Wonder what really happens at the consulates? Find out in the Isaac Brock Society’s Consulate Report Directory, currently 274 pages of first-hand accounts of renunciation/relinquishment appointments, arranged by consulate location, along with links to further information and the required Dept of State forms.
Reports are 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
2013.02.12. As of today, this discussion now continues at Part 2. Please click here to go to Consulate Report Directory (Brockers describe their Consulate Meetings) Part 2.
*@Em, I am starting to get very impatient now. It has been 13 months . I check the website daily. Hurry up already!!
I just received a Canada Post missed delivery notice. The package was sent from Vancouver yesterday.
The only package I am expecting is my CLN but I wont know for certain until tomorrow afternoon.
If it is my CLN then it took less than 12 week from the second appointment until its arrival.
I will confirm the details tomorrow.
*@ Just a Canadian
Crossed fingers for you!
*My CLN arrived today. Renunciation was 16.10.2012, approved 15.11.2012 and received 14.12.2012.
This gives me enough time, if I so choose, to apply to refinance my mortgage with a bank which doesn’t accept Americans.
@ Just a Canadian:
Ditto here. The Canada Post notice arrived today for my wife — we’ll pick it up tomorrow. But given her 2nd appointment in Vancouver was about the same time as yours, I’m confident now that this isn’t just a coincidence.
Free at last, free at last …
Thanks for the report on receipt of your CLN today, SwissPinoy and CONGRATULATIONS. What to say — I hope you are able to get your life back in order after all you’ve gone through. Thanks for all of your comments here and letting us add your experience to the Renounce & Relinquish database and on the Consulate Directory that Pacifica maintains.
Just a Canadian and Arrow’s wife,
Hope you are, tomorrow, recipients of two CLNs from your Vancouver experiences. If so, two more victories.
Very pleased to hear your good news, Swiss Pinoy! We all feel such a sense of relief getting that CLN, but given the difficulties living in Switzerland without one, it seems even more important to receive it quickly. I’m very happy your wait is over and you’re free!
@Arrow and Just a Canadian,
Sounds like the magical day is here for Arrow’s wife and also, Just a Canadian. Being an applicant at the Vancouver consulate, could this be a sign of things finally getting into ‘gear’ here on the Wet Coast. I sure hope so.
Congrats to both of you – I am sure it isn’t a coincidence and those special papers will be in your possession by tomorrow.
*I renounced on August 7, 2012 in Bern, Switzerland. Paperwork was approved by the State Department on October 26. I finally received my CLN yesterday in the post. Just the official documents and my cancelled US Passport. No where was I ever advised of my US Tax commitment. Reading all the stories of Canadiens makes me wonder why they make it so difficult for America’s friendly neighbour to the north to renounce. From A-Z, the process in Bern was simple. Interesting though, I recently read in a Swiss newspaper (Tages Anzeiger) that many Swiss Corporations will no longer hire US Citzens, including many duals. I am meeting many Americans who live here in Switzerland who would love to receive Swiss Citizenship so that they can renounce. Sadly, it is only possible after 20 years of residency.
@Jer33.3:
Congratulations in completing the renunciation process! Many others will be following in your footsteps in the coming months and years.
On about February 1, 2013, you might wish to look in the US Federal Register to see if your name appears on the “name and shame” list of renunciants. Search on “Quarterly Publication of Individuals, Who Have Chosen To Expatriate” to locate the list and then look for renunciations in 4Q 2012.
Also, as I understand, it is generally possible to apply for Swiss citizenship after 12 years of residence under the regular naturalization scheme, based on this link (in English):
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/content/bfm/en/home/themen/buergerrecht/einbuergerung/ordentliche_einbuergerung.html
Again, all the best with your newly acquired freedom!
@Jer33.3, yes it does seem some companies aren’t hiring Americans, especially if they need to have signing authority on company accounts. There’s a thread over on the http://www.englishforum.ch site with more info in the Finance/Taxation section. You can also have a look at the http://www.ch.ch which is the official Swiss Federation site; it has a lot of info on naturalisation. As Innocente says the norm is 12 years of residency, but if you are married to a Swiss national you could be granted citizenship earlier than that. But much depends on how well integrated you are as well, language skills, knowledge of Swiss history, etc. The Federal requirements are listed on the site, but you also need to check what your canton requirements are too.
@Swisspinoy, Congratulations and glad to hear it came through so quickly for you. It should be much easier at the bank for you now I hope. Looks like my appointment is going to be delayed a bit as I’ve had to send off birth and marriage certificates to sort out my UK private pension which starts at the end of the month so can’t make a booking until those are safely back in my hands (sigh).
*@Medea, do you think that copies of one’s passports, UK citizenship certificate, and birth certificate have to be notarized or would mere photocopies suffice? I also don’t know if one has to send the copies off or just bring them to the actual appointment itself? (along with the originals) . 😛
@monalisa1776, the instructions I received the other day said you can either send them copies by e-mail or ordinary post no later than 5 working days before your appointment, i.e. US and foreign passports, a US birth certificate or consular report of birth abroad if you do not have a US passport and a US naturalisation certificate, if applicable. But at the time of the appointment you must bring all original documents. As you have to bring the originals to the appointment I don’t think it really makes any difference for the copies, although if you have notarized/certified copies already to hand I’d use those. Also you’ll need a major credit card (not EC/Maestro/PostCard) or $450 in cash in either American dollars or equivalent Swiss Francs. I’d use a credit card or get the American money and avoid the Swiss Francs really. Too much hassle trying to sort out the rates. If you’re married take/send copy of the marriage certificate as well to be on the safe side. Unfortunately, my British marriage certificate is too long to fit on the scanner to make a copy, so I’ll just have to take it with me.
Basically send them copies of everything you’ve got AND take them with you as well. There’s no point in finding out when you get there that they need to see a piece of paper you don’t have with you.
I brought my (current) Canadian passport and my (ridiculously expired) US passport, which they accepted, after taking them away and presumably looking them up in some sort of computer system. I have a Canadian birthplace, which may have simplified things.
*I am reporting my Son’s renounciation on Dec.13th,2012 at the Toronto US Consulate. He is a Dual US/ Canadian Citizen, born in Toronto and always lived in Canada.(Accidental American) Never had a US Passport and until recently only got the SSN for reporting purposes only. I had reported him as Birth Abroad of US Citizen.
This is his experience. He arrived at 225 Simcoe Street, Toronto about at 1:30 for a 2:00 oclock appointment. He waited outside in the shorter of the two lines. After entering, he went through the Security walking through the metal detector and emptying his pockets of any keys etc.
He was sent up to the counter where he informed the clerk that he was there to Renounce his US Citizenship, she took all papers Birth Certificate, Birth of US Citizen Abroad, Canadian Passport and forms DS-4079,DS-4080,4081,& 4083 and told him to be seated and that it would take about 30 minutes to type up all his information. He also paid the $450.00 (Best Money Ever Spent). She also told him not to be concerned if others came in behind him because they were there for other services and not Renounciation. So he watched Seinfield on the TV with a Big US Flag standing in the corner and also watched some of the staff put up Christmas decoration.
He said after 1 hour he went back to the counter and asked the clerk what was taking so long and if there were any problems (he asked in a nice and respectful way). She said they were really sorry but they were having difficultly with one of the appointments. She said we will be with you soon.
So after waiting another HOUR they called him up to the counter and asked a few questions, and if he was sure he had read all the information about Renouncing and all the consequences. He saids yes I have read it all. So they had him sign all papers which took about 5-10 minute. He had to raise his right hand and read the oath and sign it. She said OK that is all. He thanked her.
He asked how long it would take for the CLN to arrive, she said IF approved it would be between 4-6 months. She said she would email or call to let him know when it arrives and if he wanted to pick it up or have it mailed.. He said the clerks were very nice and really kind.
I do want to thank Pacifica777, Calgary411, Nobledreamer, Petros and Blaze for all there support and wonderful advise. They helped so much with this process.
I also want to thank everyone at Isaac Brock and Maple SandBox, the help they have given us all is just priceless.. Thanks from the bottom of my heart!! My son said he is so grateful and to thank everyone for him!!
Congratulations to your son, saddened, and thanks for the report on his behalf. Hopefully, your turn will be right around the corner. I have added your son’s experience to the Renounce & Relinqauish database.
Another report that those going to Toronto have had a respectful experience, renunciation and relinquishment, that will help others along their way.
*@Calgary411, Thank you so much! You have been a terrific help to us and we appreciate all your kindness.
Its official.
I have my CLN. It was sent to me “with the compliments of the Consulate General of the United States of America”
My renunciation date was Sep 25, it was approved Nov 26 and it was mailed on Dec 13.
The package contains my sealed CLN, my sealed Statement of Understanding, my sealed Oath of Renunciation and color photocopies of my ID documents. They also included 2 sets of form 8854 and instructions for the year 2011.
Congratulations, Just a Canadian, on receipt of your CLN resulting from your renunciation at Vancouver! I’ve now updated the Vancouver portion of the Renounce & Relinquish database with your information. Thanks for letting us add your experience to help others along their way.
@Just a Canadian:
Congratulations. Just got back in with my wife’s CLN. Likewise approved November 26 (they must do these things in batches) and her expatriation date of November 17, 1974 is clearly stated. I thought there’d be a certificate of some sort — but it’s just the application with an approved stamp on it.
Also has the Form 8854 and a set of directions. That’s bound for the circular file or the shredder, haven’t decided which yet. I do wonder, now that the IRS has been notified, if they will get around to sending a letter. At that point, two choices: ignore it, or send a “stick it where the sun don’t shine” letter back to them.
My wife is relieved, but a little sad — she still believes in the dream that once was America, but understands it has been irretrievably corrupted in so many ways. Good riddance.
@Just a Canadian,
Congratulations. Nice to know that Vancouver does ‘eventually’ move on these things.
@Arrow,
Please congratulate your wife. Good to know that her expatriation date is correct @ 1974. I do wonder if the Vancouver consulate is the only one in the country that sends out the Form 8854 as I have not noticed that those who went to other consulates and had such long ago dates for expatriation, received the 8854 with the package. Keep us posted on whether she ever gets contacted regarding the 8854 and tax filings by the IRS. Certainly both Steven Mopsick and Michael Miller indicated that it should not be necessary.
I am hopeful that I will have a 2nd appointment early in the New Year. Trying not to think about it too much and certainly trying not to dwell on it over the holiday season.
@ Just a Canadian & Arrow’s wife
Congratulations! Nice to see CLNs coming out of Vancouver and isn’t it great that there are so many successful CLNers these days that one can hardly keep up with the congratulations. 🙂
@ tiger
Enjoy the holidays. Your time will come too.
Arrow, congratulations on your wife receiving her approved CLN for relinquishment in November of 1974! Let us know what you do with that 8854 that should NOT have to be completed. Your wife has not been a USP since November of 1974 — her CLN proves it.
I’m sorry her dream of the dream of America has had to fade and this occasion is bittersweet for her; may she realize more each day she is so much better off without the extraneous exceptionality of US citizenship. Best wishes to her and happy holidays to your family!
Tiger,
Two successful relinquishments now reported here for Vancouver. Their cases are no different than yours so I’m confident all will eventually work out for you. May it be sooner rather than later!