# Renounce Vanuatu citizenship

A Vanuatu citizen aged 18 or over who already holds another nationality, or is renouncing in order to obtain one, may renounce by a sworn Declaration of Renunciation of Vanuatu Citizenship lodged with the Citizenship Office in Port Vila.

- **18 and over** Minimum age
- **Sworn declaration** Form
- **Held or being obtained** Other nationality
- **Section 18** Regaining citizenship

## Can you renounce Vanuatu citizenship?

Yes. Under section 17 of Vanuatu's Citizenship Act [CAP. 112], a citizen aged 18 or over and of full capacity may renounce Vanuatu citizenship, provided he or she already holds another nationality or is renouncing in order to obtain one. You complete the Declaration of Renunciation of Vanuatu Citizenship published by the Vanuatu Citizenship Office, declare it before a Commissioner for Oaths, a Notary Public or a person authorised to witness statutory declarations, and lodge it with the Citizenship Office in Port Vila. The Citizenship Commission records renunciations in its register. No government fee and no official processing time are published for renunciation.

### Evidence

- 01 Citizenship Act [CAP. 112], sections 1(2), 17, 18 and 21 (Consolidated Edition 2021) [vancitizenship.gov.vu](https://vancitizenship.gov.vu/images/pdf/20220913191325519.pdf) Official 11 November 2026
- 02 Constitution, Article 13 as amended in 2013 (recognition of dual citizenship) [vancitizenship.gov.vu](https://vancitizenship.gov.vu/images/pdf/CONSTITUTION%20(CITIZENSHIP%20AMENDMENT).pdf) Official 11 November 2026
- 03 Vanuatu Citizenship Office: Declaration of Renunciation of Vanuatu Citizenship (official form) [vancitizenship.gov.vu](https://vancitizenship.gov.vu/images/pdf/Declaration_of_Renunciation_Of_Vanuatu_Citizenship.pdf) Official 11 November 2026

Information, not legal or tax advice. Statute text verified against the Consolidated Edition 2021 of the Citizenship Act [CAP. 112] published by the Vanuatu Citizenship Office. The Citizenship Office and Parliament websites were checked on 11 November 2026 and show no later amendment to section 17.

## Which documents do you need to renounce Vanuatu citizenship?

### What you prepare

- The completed Declaration of Renunciation of Vanuatu Citizenship, the only document the official sources prescribe. We draft it for you.
- The details the declaration asks for: your name and address, a statement that you are of full age and capacity, the basis on which you are a citizen of Vanuatu, and the country and date of your other citizenship, with the reason.
- Your signature on the declaration, made before a Commissioner for Oaths, a Notary Public or a person authorised to witness statutory declarations, who certifies that it was read over to you.
- No official checklist of supporting documents is published for renunciation. We confirm with the Citizenship Office which supporting documents it asks for before your file is lodged.

### What you receive

- An office-ready file, checked line by line before it is lodged.
- Confirmation that the declaration has been lodged with the Citizenship Office.
- Follow-up with the Citizenship Office on the entry in the register of persons who have renounced, kept by the Citizenship Commission under section 21. The official sources do not describe a certificate of renunciation, so we request written confirmation for your records.
- Drafted notification letters for banks, employers and other institutions.

## How do you renounce Vanuatu citizenship?

Renouncing Vanuatu citizenship takes three official steps: completing the declaration, making it under oath before an authorised witness, and lodging it with the Citizenship Office in Port Vila. One dedicated Mirabello contact manages the file around those steps, from first call to written confirmation.

- **Confidential consultation.** We confirm eligibility under section 17, your other nationality and any family or residence implications.
- **Document checklist.** You receive a tailored checklist; you send scans, and we check names, dates and the evidence of your other citizenship.
- **Declaration drafted.** We prepare the Declaration of Renunciation of Vanuatu Citizenship with the details the form asks for.
- **Declaration made under oath.** You make the solemn declaration and sign it before a Commissioner for Oaths, a Notary Public or a person authorised to witness statutory declarations.
- **Lodging.** The declaration is lodged with the Citizenship Office in Port Vila. We confirm with the office beforehand how it accepts the file and whether a fee applies.
- **Register and confirmation.** The Citizenship Commission keeps the register of persons who renounce. The official sources do not describe the steps after lodging, so we follow up and request written confirmation.
- **Notifications.** We help you update banks, employers and immigration records, and you travel on your other passport.

## How much does it cost to renounce Vanuatu citizenship?

No government fee for renouncing Vanuatu citizenship is published. Section 24 of the Citizenship Act lets the Prime Minister prescribe fees by order, and the fee orders and fee table published by the Vanuatu Citizenship Office list no item for renunciation. That is not confirmation that nothing is charged, so we confirm the position with the Citizenship Office before filing and pass any government charge through at cost.

| Fee | Amount | Notes | Source |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Government fee for the declaration of renunciation | **None published** | The published fee orders and the Citizenship Office fee table list no renunciation fee; confirmed with the office at filing. | [vancitizenship.gov.vu](https://vancitizenship.gov.vu/images/pdf/20220913191325519.pdf) · 11 November 2026 [vancitizenship.gov.vu](https://vancitizenship.gov.vu/images/pdf/2013_CITIZENSHIP_FEES_AND_CHARGES_AMENDMENTS.pdf) · 11 November 2026 [vancitizenship.gov.vu](https://vancitizenship.gov.vu/index.php/citizenship/fees-and-charges) · 11 November 2026 | # |
| Mirabello professional fee | **Fixed fee, quoted in writing** | Agreed before you engage us; separate from government fees, which are passed through at cost. | Mirabello Consultancy | # |

**Government vs professional fees.** Government fees are set by the authorities and can change without notice. Our fee covers pre-checks, drafting, witnessing coordination, filing, follow-up and notifications. Courier and notary charges are at cost.

## How long does it take to renounce Vanuatu citizenship?

No official processing time is published for renouncing Vanuatu citizenship, in the Citizenship Act or by the Vanuatu Citizenship Office. We do not estimate one. Mirabello confirms the current practice with the Citizenship Office for each file and tells you what to expect before you sign.

| Stage | Indicative duration | Basis |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pre-check and preparation of the declaration | **Not published** | A Mirabello service stage; we agree the schedule with you at the start. |
| Lodging to entry in the register | **Not published** | No official processing time exists; Mirabello confirms the current practice for each file. |
| Written confirmation | **Not published** | The official sources describe no certificate or confirmation step; Mirabello confirms the current practice for each file. |

We update you at every stage. Official processing is outside our control and cannot be expedited by any agent.

## Can you renounce Vanuatu citizenship from abroad?

The official sources do not say whether a declaration of renunciation can be lodged from abroad, by post or through a Vanuatu mission. What they do set out is that the declaration is made before a Commissioner for Oaths, a Notary Public or a person authorised to witness statutory declarations, and that the Citizenship Office is in Port Vila. Before you sign, we confirm with the Citizenship Office how it accepts a declaration made outside Vanuatu, then arrange the witnessing and the delivery of the originals to match.

## What changes once you have renounced Vanuatu citizenship?

- You rely on your other nationality and travel on your other passport. The Citizenship Act does not state the moment at which citizenship ends, so we ask the Citizenship Office to confirm it in writing.
- The official sources do not say whether the Vanuatu passport and citizenship certificate are surrendered with the declaration; we confirm this before lodging.
- Banks, investment platforms and employers that hold your Vanuatu passport on file need updated identity documents; we draft the notices.
- Family members are not covered by your declaration. Section 17 is limited to citizens aged 18 or over, and the Act contains no provision on the effect of a renunciation on a spouse or a minor child.
- Changing your mind later: a person who has renounced may apply to the Citizenship Commission to regain citizenship under section 18, on Form C (b). The Commission decides whether to grant it.

## How are your documents handled?

Your documents travel through secure channels and are shared only with the Vanuatu Citizenship Office, notaries and couriers, as each step requires. We keep records only as long as regulation and our engagement terms require.

## Frequently asked

### Do I need another citizenship before I renounce Vanuatu citizenship?

You need to hold another nationality or citizenship already, or to be renouncing for the purpose of obtaining one (section 17(2) of the Citizenship Act). The official declaration asks for the country and date of your other citizenship. How the Citizenship Office treats a declaration made before the other citizenship is granted is not published, so we confirm it for each file.

### How much does it cost to give up Vanuatu citizenship?

No government fee for renunciation is published. The fee orders and the fee table of the Vanuatu Citizenship Office list no item for it, which is not confirmation that nothing is charged. We confirm the position at filing; our professional fee is fixed and quoted in writing.

### How long does Vanuatu renunciation take?

No official processing time is published, in the Act or by the Citizenship Office, and we do not estimate one. Mirabello confirms the current practice with the office for each file before you sign.

### How do I renounce Vanuatu citizenship from abroad, and where do I send the form?

You complete the Declaration of Renunciation of Vanuatu Citizenship and make it before a Commissioner for Oaths, a Notary Public or a person authorised to witness statutory declarations. It is lodged with the Citizenship Office in Port Vila. The official sources do not say whether it can be sent by post or through a Vanuatu mission, so we confirm the accepted route with the office first.

### Can I get Vanuatu citizenship back after renouncing?

Yes, you may apply. Under section 18 of the Citizenship Act, a person who has renounced may apply to the Citizenship Commission to regain citizenship, using Form C (b), and the Commission decides whether to grant it. The form's checklist includes your passports, your present foreign citizenship certificate, your previous Vanuatu citizenship certificate and police clearances.

### Do I get my contribution back if I renounce?

The official sources are silent. The investment programme provisions of the Citizenship Act contain no separate renunciation rule, and neither the Act nor the Citizenship Office states that any contribution or fee is recoverable after renunciation.

### Does my renunciation cover my spouse and children?

No. Section 17 applies only to a citizen who is 18 or over and of full capacity, so each adult makes his or her own declaration. The Act contains no provision on the effect of a parent's renunciation on a minor child and no procedure for renouncing on a child's behalf.

### What happens to my Vanuatu passport?

The official sources do not state whether the passport and citizenship certificate are surrendered with the declaration. We confirm this with the Citizenship Office before lodging. After renunciation you travel on your other passport, so we check that it is valid before the file goes in.

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Mirabello Consultancy provides information and support services on citizenship and residency matters. This page is information, not legal or tax advice. Statute references are to the Citizenship Act [CAP. 112], Consolidated Edition 2021, and the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu, as published by the Vanuatu Citizenship Office. Government fees and procedures are set by the authorities and may change; we confirm them before filing.

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Source: Mirabello Consultancy, verified 2026-11-11, https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/concierge-services/vanuatu-citizenship-renunciation
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