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How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen? Under the current USCIS fee schedule, the citizenship cost for Form N-400 is $710 if you file online and $760 if you file on paper. Knowing the cost before you start helps you avoid surprises halfway through the naturalization process.
These fees have been in place since the USCIS fee rule of April 1, 2024, and they include biometrics, with no separate charge. Fees can change, so always confirm the current amount on the official USCIS fee schedule, Form G-1055, before you pay. Having an attorney review your case is optional, but it can help you find the payment option that fits your situation.
The cost of filing Form N-400 (citizenship application fee)
Filing online costs $710 and filing on paper costs $760, a $50 difference. The reduced fee and the fee waiver are separate options. They depend on your circumstances and on USCIS approving your request.
Before you pay, check the amount on Form G-1055. The amount and the instructions depend on how you file, and if you ask for a reduced fee or a fee waiver, you must file on paper.
| How you file | N-400 fee |
|---|---|
| Form N-400 online | $710 |
| Form N-400 on paper | $760 |
| Approved reduced fee (paper only) | $380 |
| Approved fee waiver (paper only) | $0 |
Fees shown are from the fee schedule in effect since April 1, 2024. Confirm them on Form G-1055 before filing.
Naturalization usually comes after you get your green card, but the costs are different. Our guide on how much a green card costs covers the payments and steps that are not part of the N-400.
Can you pay less for your citizenship application?
Some applicants can ask for a reduced fee or a fee waiver, but USCIS has to approve it. Eligibility depends on your household income, certain means-tested public benefits, or extreme financial hardship.
- Reduced fee: You may pay $380 if your household income is more than 150% and up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You ask for it in the N-400 itself (the fee reduction part of the form) and you must file on paper with proof of income.
- Fee waiver: You may ask for a full waiver if you receive a means-tested benefit, your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or you face extreme financial hardship. You request it with Form I-912 (or a written request with evidence), filed together with a paper N-400.
Members of the U.S. military who apply under the military naturalization sections of the law (INA 328 and 329) do not pay an N-400 fee.
Falling within an income range does not make a reduced fee or waiver automatic. At YSL Immigration Lawyers, we review your household documents and how you plan to file before we tell you which option may apply.
Will citizenship fees go up?
On June 23, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule to raise the N-400 fee to $1,280 online and $1,330 on paper. The proposal would also eliminate the reduced fee and fee waivers for this form. The public comment period closed on August 24, 2026.
A proposed rule is not law. Until a final rule is published and takes effect, the current fees in the table above still apply. If you are ready to apply and you qualify for a reduced fee or a waiver, it may make sense to talk to an attorney soon, because those options could disappear if the proposal becomes final. Check Form G-1055 again right before you file.
Extra costs you might forget when you budget
When people add up the cost of citizenship, they often forget expenses that are not government fees. Depending on your case and how you file, these can include translations, shipping, transportation, time off work, and legal fees.
The interview and the civics and English test may require travel and time away from work. These are not USCIS fees, but they affect your budget.
- Certified translations of documents in another language, when required.
- Mailing and tracking if you file on paper.
- Transportation and parking for your biometrics appointment and interview.
- Time off work for the interview and the oath ceremony.
- Attorney fees if you hire legal help.
The oath at the naturalization ceremony completes the process, and you receive your Certificate of Naturalization after you take it. If you later need to replace that certificate, you will file Form N-565, a separate application with its own fee.
Why is a payment mistake so costly?
USCIS can reject an application filed with the wrong fee. If that happens, you have to correct the payment and file again, and you will have to pay whatever fee is in effect at that time.
USCIS fees are generally non-refundable, even if you withdraw your application or USCIS denies it. There are limited exceptions when the mistake is USCIS’s own, so do not count on getting money back or on the amount staying the same.
Our citizenship and naturalization attorneys can review your budget, financial evidence, and payment method before you file. A review can help catch risks, but it does not guarantee approval, a reduced fee, or a waiver. Contact YSL Immigration Lawyers in Austin and Laredo, Texas.
Frequently asked questions about citizenship cost
How do I pay the USCIS fee for Form N-400?
It depends on whether you file online or on paper. Follow the payment instructions for your filing method, and confirm the amount on Form G-1055 before you send it, because the wrong fee can lead to a rejection.
Are the reduced fee and the fee waiver the same thing?
No. An approved reduced fee lowers your cost to $380, while an approved fee waiver removes the fee completely. Each has its own requirements and evidence, and both require you to file the N-400 on paper.
Do I get my money back if USCIS denies my citizenship application?
Generally, no. USCIS fees are non-refundable, even if your application is denied or withdrawn. There are limited exceptions for certain USCIS errors, but you should not expect an automatic refund.
Does the N-400 fee include the Certificate of Naturalization?
Yes. You receive your first certificate after you take the oath, with no extra payment. If you later need a replacement, you file Form N-565, which is a separate application with its own fee.
Do my minor children pay an N-400 fee when I become a citizen?
Usually not, because they do not file an N-400. Under INA 320, a child automatically becomes a citizen if, before turning 18, the child has at least one U.S. citizen parent, is a green card holder, and lives in the U.S. in that parent’s legal and physical custody. If you want proof of that citizenship, you can file Form N-600 (Certificate of Citizenship) or apply for a U.S. passport. Form N-600 has its own fee, so check Form G-1055.
What happens if I pay the wrong fee?
USCIS may reject your application. You would need to correct the payment and file again, which can delay your case and expose you to a different fee if the amounts have changed in the meantime.
