Can you keep your Mauritania citizenship when you become a U.S. citizen?
Allowed with conditions
Only in some cases
Mauritanians of origin may lose their nationality if they acquire U.S. citizenship without permission from the authorities.
What the law says
- There are no provisions in the nationality laws for Mauritanian nationals to renounce their nationality.
- Mauritanians of origin may lose their nationality for obtaining dual nationality without the permission of the authorities.
- The 2010 revision allowed for Mauritanians to hold dual nationality.
- Naturalized persons may be denaturalized for disloyalty to the state, crimes against the state or state security, ordinary crimes, or fraud in a naturalization petition.
“Mauritanians of origin may lose their nationality for obtaining dual nationality without the permission of the authorities.”
What about the U.S. side?
The United States allows dual citizenship. At the oath ceremony you promise to renounce allegiance to other countries, but U.S. law does not make you formally give up your other passport. The question is only whether Mauritania lets you keep yours.
Source: Mauritanian nationality law (Wikipedia, summarized on 2026-11-11). Laws change — confirm with the Mauritania embassy or consulate before your oath ceremony. This is not legal advice.
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