Re: Tricky Dual Nationality Question
 

It wasn't that they thought he was a LPR as he took his naturalization certificate with him. So it wasn't a fee they referenced. Were they right it what they could have done if they wanted to, they obviously thought so, as they are the one at the check point I guess they hold the cards.

Re: Tricky Dual Nationality Question
 

Thanks memory failed me on the amount of the possible fine, it was less then I remembered.

Re: Tricky Dual Nationality Question
 

If they were sure he was a USC, they were just busting his chops. Even when the fee used to be assessed well over a decade ago it was supposedly in the neighborhood of $100 or something. The state department collected it.

Re: Tricky Dual Nationality Question
 

A figure plucked out of the air IMHO.

Re: Tricky Dual Nationality Question
 

To answer the original question and reiterate what other posters have said....the airlines won't care if your son leaves on a UK passport. Yes, he must technically use a US passport to leave, but as others have stated there is no passport exit-control. I am dual citizen and have used passports interchangeably when departing from US airports. Your son would absolutely need a US passport to re-enter the US (it is true they can't deny admission to a US citizen, but just don't go there period).

If I were you I'd just skip the expensive expedited processing and just deal with it through the US Embassy in the UK after you've settled down with all the stressful moving issues. No need to add an expedited passport application to all the things you already have to worry about 1 week before an international move.

Re: Tricky Dual Nationality Question
 

Thanks, deng, and thank you all VERY much for your input. What a hot-button topic! :) Both my son and I will leave on our UK passports. We will initiate his US passport application before we leave and have it sent to his grandparents' house, and then mailed to us when it arrives.

You've all made me breathe a little easier. Thanks again!