How much does U.S. citizenship cost in 2026? The N-400 fee
Short answer: right now the N-400 (Application for Naturalization) costs $710 if you file online or $760 if you file on paper. With a low household income it can be $380 (reduced fee) or $0 (fee waiver with Form I-912). We checked uscis.gov on October 16, 2026.
| How you file | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online (USCIS account) | $710 |
| Paper (by mail) | $760 |
| Reduced fee (paper only) | $380 |
| Fee waiver with Form I-912 (paper only) | $0 |
What it covers
The fee covers the whole application: the biometrics appointment, the interview and the test. There's no separate charge for the test, and if you fail one part, the re-test is part of the same application.
Reduced fee and fee waiver
- Reduced fee ($380): if your household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, with documents to prove it.
- Fee waiver (Form I-912): USCIS considers it if you receive a means-tested benefit, your household income is at or below 150% of the poverty guidelines, or you have a serious financial hardship.
- Both must be filed on paper, not online. Don't request both.
Heads-up: a fee increase has been proposed
On June 23, 2026, USCIS published a proposed rule to raise the N-400 fee to $1,330 on paper and $1,280 online and to end the reduced fee and fee waivers. As of October 16, 2026 it was still only a proposal, not a final rule. Always check the official fee schedule (Form G-1055) before you pay.
Don't lose money
- Download the form only from uscis.gov/n-400 (current edition: 01/20/25).
- USCIS never asks for payment by Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, Venmo or gift cards.
- Nobody can pay to "speed up" your case.
- Get help only from an attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative: see free legal help.
While you wait, study the 128 civics questions and take the practice test.
Official sources (checked Oct 16, 2026): USCIS · N-400 · USCIS · Fee Schedule G-1055 · USCIS · Reduced fee · USCIS · I-912 · Federal Register · proposed rule, June 23, 2026
We are not USCIS or any government agency. This is an educational course built on the official USCIS lists; it is not legal advice. For your case, talk to an immigration attorney or a Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representative.