After years of waiting, you have finally reached a point where you are ready to submit your application. So, it is natural that you might be curious about what the real US citizenship cost in 2026 is. In this blog we will provide you a complete breakdown of every fee. Also, we will tell you who can pay less and explain the incentives behind filing as early as possible.
The US Citizenship Cost Starts With the N-400 Filing Fee
Form N-400 is the application to become a U.S. citizen. As of October 2026, USCIS charges:
- $710 if you file online.
- $760 if you file on paper.
- $380 if you qualify for a reduced fee.
- $0 if you qualify for a fee waiver.
The fee already covers your fingerprint and photo appointment. These are called biometrics. So you won’t pay a separate charge for it.
N-400 Fee Online vs Paper
- Filing the form online saves you $50. Through this you can upload documents, track your case progress, and read USCIS notices in one place.
- On the other hand, paper filing still works. But it costs more, and mail adds days to the process.
How to Pay the N-400 Fee
Since October 28, 2025, USCIS no longer accepts paper checks or money orders. So, you must pay by card or bank transfer.
- Online: Use a debit card, credit card, or bank transfer through your USCIS account.
- On paper: Attach Form G-1450 to pay by card or Form G-1650 to pay by bank withdrawal.
Note: make sure that you will have enough in your account. It is because USCIS tries a bank withdrawal only once. If it fails, USCIS can reject your whole application.
Can You Pay Less? The N-400 Fee Waiver and Reduced Fee
Yes. Lower-income applicants have two options.
Form I-912 Fee Waiver
You may skip the fee completely if one of these applies to you:
- Your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- You receive a means-tested benefit such as Medicaid, SNAP, or SSI.
- You face a serious money hardship, like large medical bills.
File Form I-912 with proof, such as a benefit letter or tax return for waiver. Also, you must file on paper to request one.
Reduced Fee N-400 Income Requirements
Does your household income fall between 150% and 400% of the federal poverty guidelines?
If yes, then you do not have to pay the full amount. Instead, you can pay a $380 fee. You don’t need a separate form to do this. However, you must file on paper, since the online system doesn’t allow reduced fees. You also need to include proof of income, such as recent tax returns. USCIS updates these income limits each year. So check the current chart before you file.
The Full Cost of Naturalization
The filing fee is only part of the bill. Meanwhile, the hidden costs of becoming a US citizen can add up fast:
- Lawyer fees: A lawyer is optional. Many people hire one, especially if they are dealing with some situation like having a past arrest, long trips abroad, or tax problems. These issues matter. An N-400 with an undisclosed or misunderstood problem can lead to a denial, the loss of your non-refundable fee, and, in some cases, removal proceedings. Lawyer fee prices can vary, so ask for a flat fee in writing. If any of these apply to you, talk to an immigration attorney before you file.
- Translations: If you are filling out or writing a document in your language, then it needs a full English translation. Also, it must have a signed translator certificate.
- Records: Court records and replacement documents often cost a high amount of money. But on the other hand, IRS tax transcripts are free.
- Time and travel: You will likely visit the USCIS office more than once. Like for a biometrics appointment, an interview, and an oath ceremony. Each visit makes you pay for the gas and a missed day of work.
- A U.S. passport: Most new citizens apply for one after the oath, and it comes with its own fee.
Naturalization Fee 2026: A Big Increase May Be Coming
In June 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published a plan to make citizenship cost more. It’s called a proposed USCIS fee increase for naturalization. Here’s what it would do:
- The online fee would rise from $710 to $1,280.
- The paper fee would rise from $760 to $1,330.
- The $380 reduced fee would end.
- N-400 fee waivers would end.
- Qualified military members would still pay nothing.
Where Things Stand Now
As of October 2026, it’s still only a proposal. The public comment period closed on August 24, 2026. Yet USCIS hasn’t said when the plan would take effect. Still, if the rule becomes final, most applicants would pay almost twice as much. Additionally, lower-income families would lose their discounts.
What This Means for You
Generally, the fee that applies to you is the one in place when you file. So, if you qualify today, filing soon may lock in the current price, as long as USCIS receives your application before any final rule takes effect. Lower-income applicants may have the most to lose by waiting, since the reduced fee and fee waivers would end too. If you’re not sure you qualify yet, our team can review your eligibility now.
Conclusion
Right now, the US citizenship cost is $710 for most people who file online, and some families pay much less. However, a proposed rule could nearly double that fee and end the reduced fee and fee waivers.
Waiting may mean paying more, and filing alone carries its own risk. A past arrest, a long trip abroad, or a tax problem that isn’t handled correctly can lead to a denial and the loss of your non-refundable fee.
Have questions about your own case? Attorney Yohana Saucedo and our team help future citizens from offices in Austin and Laredo, Texas, in both English and Spanish. Schedule a consultation today to review your eligibility before any fee change takes effect.
Is the Naturalization Fee Refundable?
No. USCIS keeps the fee even if it denies your case. That’s why it pays to make sure you qualify before you file.
What’s the Citizenship Application Fee for Military Members?
Most current and former service members who apply under military rules pay nothing at all.
