How Much Is Citizenship Fee? (2026 Costs Explained)

Understanding the Current Citizenship Fee Structure

The citizenship fee isn't just the Form N-400 filing cost. As of April 2024, USCIS restructured naturalization fees into multiple components, and those amounts remain in effect through 2026. The total you pay depends on your age at filing, whether you need biometrics services, and whether you qualify for a fee reduction or complete waiver. Most applicants aged 75 or older pay less than younger applicants because they are exempt from the biometrics fee.

Here's the honest answer: USCIS doesn't publish a single "citizenship fee" figure because the agency unbundled filing costs from biometrics costs in its 2024 fee rule. The posted amounts combine to produce your total, but the combination varies by applicant category. Before you file Form N-400—the Application for Naturalization—you need to know which fee tier applies to you and whether the federal fee waiver or reduced-fee provisions change what you owe.

The Standard Citizenship Fee for 2026

As of April 2024, the standard Form N-400 filing fee is $710, verified via the USCIS fee schedule at uscis.gov/forms. Applicants under age 75 also pay an $85 biometrics services fee, bringing the total to $795. Applicants aged 75 or older at the time of filing are exempt from the biometrics fee and pay only the $710 base amount.

These amounts replaced the pre-2024 structure, which charged a combined $725 total ($640 filing fee + $85 biometrics). The increase reflects USCIS's transition to a fee-for-service funding model under the final rule published in the Federal Register in January 2024. Fee changes require Federal Register publication and a comment period, so the current amounts are stable until the next rulemaking cycle—but they are not permanent. Confirm the posted fee at uscis.gov/forms before you file.

The reduced-fee tier applies to applicants whose household income falls between 150% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Applicants below 150% of the guidelines may qualify for a complete fee waiver. Both require filing Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) or Form I-942 (Request for Reduced Fee) with your N-400 application.

What the Citizenship Fee Covers

The N-400 filing fee funds the adjudication process: intake and data entry, background checks through FBI and other databases, review of your application and supporting documents, the naturalization interview, and the decision. The biometrics fee covers fingerprint collection, photograph capture, and signature digitization at an Application Support Center. USCIS uses these biometrics to run criminal history and security checks.

The fee does not cover English language or civics test preparation, translation of foreign documents, passport application fees after you naturalize, or legal representation. It also does not guarantee approval—paying the fee gives you the right to have your application adjudicated under the law, not a promise of citizenship.

If USCIS denies your application, the fee is not refunded. If you withdraw your application before the interview, USCIS does not refund fees either. The payment is for processing, not for the outcome.

Fee Waiver and Reduced Fee Eligibility

Let's be direct: not every applicant qualifies for a fee waiver or reduction, and USCIS scrutinizes these requests. The waiver is for applicants whose household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their household size. The reduced fee is for applicants between 150% and 200% of those guidelines. Both require documentation—tax returns, pay stubs, benefit award letters, or an affidavit explaining your financial situation.

The Federal Poverty Guidelines change annually, published by the Department of Health and Human Services. For 2026, confirm the current thresholds at aspe.hhs.gov before calculating your eligibility. A household income slightly above the threshold disqualifies you from the reduction, and understating income on Form I-912 or I-942 can result in denial of the waiver request and referral for fraud investigation.

Additional waiver pathways exist for applicants receiving means-tested public benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF) or experiencing financial hardship that makes paying the fee impossible without depriving the household of basic necessities. USCIS evaluates hardship claims case by case, and the burden of proof is on the applicant.

What If I Can't Afford the Fee and Don't Qualify for a Waiver?

If your income exceeds 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you do not qualify for the reduced fee or waiver, even if paying $795 creates a financial strain. USCIS does not offer payment plans, installment options, or deferrals for the naturalization fee. The full amount is due at the time of filing.

Some applicants save over several months before filing. Others apply for the fee waiver and document a temporary hardship—such as unexpected medical expenses or recent unemployment—that has reduced household resources below the subsistence level. USCIS adjudicates hardship waivers based on current financial circumstances, not long-term earning potential, so a waiver request can succeed even if your income normally exceeds the threshold.

If USCIS denies your fee waiver or reduced-fee request, you have 30 days to pay the standard fee or your application will be rejected. The 30-day window begins when USCIS mails the denial notice, not when you receive it.

What If USCIS Raises the Fee Again?

USCIS fee rules change through Federal Register rulemaking, which requires advance notice, a public comment period, and agency review. The current fee structure took effect in April 2024 after a final rule was published in January 2024. The next increase—if one occurs—will follow the same process, with the new amounts announced months in advance.

Applications postmarked or electronically submitted before a fee increase takes effect are processed under the old fee. Applications filed after the effective date must include the new amount or they will be rejected. USCIS posts fee change notices prominently on its website and sends alerts to immigration practitioners. If you are planning to file within the next year, monitor uscis.gov/forms for updates, especially in the first quarter of the calendar year when fee rules typically take effect.

What If My Check or Payment Is Rejected?

USCIS accepts payment by check, money order, or credit card (for online filings). If your check bounces or your credit card is declined, USCIS will reject your application and mail it back with a notice explaining the rejection reason. You must resubmit the entire package with a valid payment. The original filing date is lost—your new filing date is the date USCIS receives the corrected package.

Paper filers should use a cashier's check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." Personal checks are accepted but carry the risk of processing delays or rejection if funds are insufficient. Online filers through the USCIS online account system pay by credit or debit card at the time of submission, which eliminates bounced-check risk but requires a card with enough available credit to cover the full fee.

How Citizenship Fees Compare to Other Immigration Benefits

Naturalization is one of the most expensive USCIS benefits by filing fee. For comparison, as of April 2024:

• Form I-90 (green card replacement): $465
• Form I-751 (removal of conditions on residence): $710 + $85 biometrics = $795
• Form I-485 (adjustment of status to permanent residence): $1,140 to $1,440 depending on age and category, plus biometrics
• Form N-600 (Certificate of Citizenship for derivative citizens): $1,170

The N-400 fee is comparable to the I-751 fee and lower than adjustment of status fees, but higher than most replacement or renewal forms. Unlike green card applications, which may be employment-sponsored and employer-paid, naturalization is almost always self-funded by the applicant.

Where to Confirm the Current Fee

The definitive source for current USCIS fees is the fee schedule published at uscis.gov/forms. Each form's dedicated page lists the filing fee, biometrics fee (if applicable), and any reduced-fee or waiver options. The fee schedule is updated whenever a new fee rule takes effect, and it includes an effective date so you can verify which amounts apply to applications filed on a given date.

Third-party websites, including law firm sites, may become outdated between fee changes. The Law Offices of Peter D. Chu recommends verifying fees directly with USCIS before filing. If you are working with an attorney, confirm that the fee amount your attorney quotes matches the current USCIS schedule—especially if months have passed since your initial consultation.

The True Cost Beyond the Filing Fee

The $795 (or $710) filing fee is the direct cost to USCIS, but most applicants incur additional expenses:

• Legal representation: Immigration attorneys typically charge between $1,500 and $3,500 for naturalization services, including application preparation, interview representation, and follow-up. The Law Offices of Peter D. Chu offers a $250 initial consultation to evaluate your eligibility and discuss the process.
• Document translation: USCIS requires certified English translations of foreign-language documents. Professional translation services charge per page, with costs varying by language and document complexity.
• Civics and English test preparation: While free resources exist, some applicants use paid tutoring or courses to prepare for the naturalization exam.
• Passport application: After naturalization, new U.S. citizens pay separate fees to apply for a U.S. passport—$130 for a passport book, plus $35 execution fee for first-time applicants.
• Travel for the interview: Applicants must appear in person at a USCIS field office for the naturalization interview. Applicants who live far from the assigned office may incur travel and lodging costs.

Budget for these ancillary costs when planning your naturalization timeline. The filing fee is mandatory, but the total expense depends on your individual circumstances.

Why the Fee Exists and What It Funds

USCIS operates primarily on a fee-for-service model, meaning applicant fees fund most of the agency's operations. Unlike many federal agencies, USCIS receives limited congressional appropriations and must cover its costs—salaries, technology systems, background check programs, facility operations—through the fees it collects. The 2024 fee rule aimed to address a budget shortfall caused by processing backlogs and declining application volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Critics argue the fee structure prices out low-income applicants who meet all substantive eligibility requirements for citizenship. Proponents argue the fee-waiver and reduced-fee provisions mitigate that barrier, and that charging fees prevents taxpayer subsidization of immigration benefits. The policy debate does not change the requirement: as of 2026, applicants must either pay the fee or qualify for a waiver.

Military Naturalization and Fee Exemptions

Current and former members of the U.S. armed forces may qualify for naturalization without paying the N-400 filing fee or biometrics fee. This exemption applies to applicants filing under INA Section 328 (service during peacetime, after one year of honorable service) or INA Section 329 (service during designated periods of hostilities). To claim the exemption, applicants file Form N-400 with Form N-426 (Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service) certified by the appropriate military authority.

The fee exemption does not waive substantive eligibility requirements—military applicants must still meet residency, physical presence, good moral character, and civics/English standards. But it eliminates the financial barrier for service members and certain veterans. Dependents of military members do not qualify for the fee exemption unless they themselves served.

Common Myths About the Citizenship Fee

Several misconceptions persist about naturalization costs:

• Myth: Paying premium processing speeds up naturalization. Fact: Premium processing is not available for Form N-400. Processing times depend on field office workload and background check completion.
• Myth: The fee is refundable if you are denied. Fact: USCIS does not refund fees for denied applications. You paid for adjudication, not approval.
• Myth: Filing online costs more than filing by mail. Fact: The fee is identical for online and paper submissions. Online filing is faster and reduces the risk of lost mail.
• Myth: The fee covers your entire household if you apply together. Fact: Each applicant pays a separate fee. Spouses filing simultaneously each pay $795 (or $710 if over 75).

Legal Disclaimer

This article provides general information about U.S. citizenship filing fees as of 2026. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Fee amounts, waiver eligibility, and application procedures depend on individual circumstances and are subject to change by USCIS rulemaking. Outcomes are not guaranteed. For advice tailored to your specific situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney. The Law Offices of Peter D. Chu offers a $250 initial consultation to evaluate your eligibility for naturalization and other immigration benefits. Call 858-268-8823 or visit peterchu.com to schedule.

Schedule a consultation with the Law Offices of Peter D. Chu — 4615 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111 · 858-268-8823 · Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–5:30 PM. Consultation fee: $250.