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Dual Citizenship Lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia
Yes, the United States allows dual citizenship. U.S. law does not make you choose between U.S. citizenship and another nationality, and you do not need to apply to the U.S. government for permission to hold both. There is no “dual citizenship application” in the U.S. Whether you can keep, regain or pass on your other citizenship depends on the other country’s law, and some countries do not allow it at all. India, for example, ends Indian citizenship when a citizen voluntarily becomes a citizen of another country.
BCA Law Firm, based in Norcross and serving metro Atlanta (and clients nationwide for federal immigration matters), helps people with the U.S. side of dual citizenship: naturalization, proving citizenship through a parent, and understanding how a U.S. application interacts with your other nationality. For your other country’s rules, check with that country’s embassy or consulate.
What Is Dual Citizenship?
Dual citizenship (also called dual nationality) means you are a citizen of two countries at the same time. Each country decides for itself who its citizens are, so you can be a citizen of both without either country “granting” dual status.
People usually become dual citizens in one of these ways:
- Born in the United States to parents from another country. A child born in the U.S. is a U.S. citizen at birth (children of foreign diplomats with immunity are the main exception). In June 2026, the Supreme Court confirmed in Trump v. Barbara that this includes children of parents who are in the U.S. unlawfully or temporarily. The child may also be a citizen of the parents’ country if that country’s law passes citizenship by descent. Many do; some require registration; some do not allow it.
- Born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent. The child may be a U.S. citizen at birth if the parent meets the U.S. residence requirements, and is often also a citizen of the country of birth. U.S. citizens born abroad usually document this with a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a U.S. passport.
- Naturalizing as a U.S. citizen. When you take the Oath of Allegiance, you renounce allegiance to other countries, but the U.S. does not require you to formally give up your other citizenship. Your home country may treat your U.S. naturalization as ending your citizenship there.
- Deriving citizenship through a parent. A child with a green card who lives with a parent who becomes a citizen can automatically become a U.S. citizen. See derivative citizenship.
- A U.S. citizen gaining a second citizenship, for example through descent, marriage or naturalization in another country. A U.S. citizen does not lose U.S. citizenship by doing this unless they intend to give it up.
What U.S. Law Says About Dual Citizenship
- No requirement to choose. The U.S. Department of State says U.S. law does not require a citizen to choose between U.S. citizenship and another nationality.
- You can lose U.S. citizenship only on purpose. U.S. nationality is lost only if you voluntarily do certain acts (such as formally renouncing at a U.S. embassy) with the intent to give up U.S. citizenship.
- Use your U.S. passport for U.S. travel. U.S. citizens, including dual citizens, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. The other country may require you to use its passport to enter and leave there.
- Obligations to both countries. Dual citizens owe allegiance to both countries and may have to follow the other country’s laws while there, including tax rules and, in some countries, military service. U.S. consular help may be limited when you are in your other country of citizenship.
- U.S. taxes. U.S. citizens are generally taxed on worldwide income wherever they live. Ask a tax professional about your situation.
Other Countries' Rules Can Be Different
Before you naturalize in the U.S., check what your home country does when a citizen becomes a U.S. citizen. The rules vary widely and change over time.
India and OCI
India does not allow dual citizenship. Under India’s Citizenship Act, 1955, an Indian citizen who voluntarily acquires another citizenship stops being an Indian citizen. Indian missions ask new U.S. citizens to surrender their Indian passport, and a surrender certificate is generally needed for later applications. Many former Indian citizens apply for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status, which allows long-term visa-free travel to India and some other benefits, but OCI is not citizenship: OCI cardholders cannot vote in India or hold certain public offices. OCI applications and fees are handled by the Government of India, not by USCIS; check the current requirements with the Indian Embassy or Consulate.
Other countries
Some countries allow dual citizenship freely, some allow it only in certain cases or require you to register or keep the other citizenship actively, and some end your citizenship when you naturalize elsewhere. Always confirm with your home country’s embassy or consulate before you file your N-400 or take the oath, because the oath date can be the date your other citizenship ends.
How Much Does Dual Citizenship Cost?
The U.S. does not charge anything for being a dual citizen, because there is no U.S. dual citizenship application. The costs come from the steps you take:
- U.S. naturalization (Form N-400): USCIS filing fee. Check the current amount on the USCIS fee schedule (G-1055); fees change.
- Certificate of citizenship (Form N-600), if you became a citizen through a parent: USCIS filing fee, on the same schedule.
- U.S. passport: State Department fees, listed on travel.state.gov.
- Your other country’s fees: for example, passport renewals, registration of a child born abroad, or OCI fees for former Indian citizens. These are set by that country.
- Legal fees, if you hire a lawyer. A consultation with BCA Law Firm is 30 minutes for $175.
How a Dual Citizenship Lawyer in Atlanta Can Help
Most “dual citizenship” questions start with a U.S. immigration step. Our attorneys can help you:
- Decide whether and when to naturalize, including how the five-year or three-year rule applies to you. See our naturalization lawyer page and how long naturalization takes.
- Prove you are already a U.S. citizen through a parent, with Form N-600 or a U.S. passport application. See citizenship vs naturalization certificates.
- Review your record before you apply, because USCIS reviews your whole immigration history at the naturalization stage. Past issues such as an incorrect claim to be a citizen can be serious; see false claims to U.S. citizenship.
- Plan the timing of your oath around your home country’s rules, travel and passports.
We advise on U.S. law. Questions about another country’s citizenship law should be confirmed with that country’s consulate or a lawyer licensed there.
Meet with us in Norcross or online
Our office is at 700 Holcomb Bridge Road, Norcross, GA 30071, in Gwinnett County, and we represent clients across metro Atlanta. Clients elsewhere can meet with us online. Consultations are 30 minutes and cost $175. Our hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Call 678-292-6111 or book a consultation online.
Our founding attorney, Bhavya Chaudhary, is an award-winning immigration attorney, recognized as a 2020 Attorney for Justice by the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission for her pro bono service.
Dual Citizenship FAQ
Does the U.S. allow dual citizenship?
Yes. U.S. law does not require you to give up another citizenship, and you do not need U.S. permission to hold two.
Do I need a dual citizenship lawyer?
Not always. If you are simply keeping an existing second citizenship, you may only need to follow your other country’s rules. A lawyer is useful when you are about to naturalize, when you need to prove U.S. citizenship through a parent, or when your immigration history has complications.
Will I lose my citizenship if I become a U.S. citizen?
You will not lose it under U.S. law, but your home country may end it. India does; many other countries do not. Check with your country’s consulate before you take the oath.
Can a U.S. citizen get citizenship in another country?
Generally yes. A U.S. citizen does not lose U.S. citizenship by naturalizing elsewhere unless they intend to give it up.
Which passport do I use?
Use your U.S. passport to leave and enter the United States. Use your other passport as that country requires.
How much does dual citizenship cost?
There is no U.S. fee for dual citizenship itself. You pay the USCIS fee for naturalization or a certificate of citizenship, passport fees, and any fees your other country charges. See the USCIS fee schedule for current amounts.
Is OCI the same as Indian dual citizenship?
No. OCI is a lifelong visa-type status for people of Indian origin who hold another citizenship. It is not Indian citizenship.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Every case is different; speak with an attorney about your situation.
