N-400 Application Fee: Cost, Waivers, and What to Expect

The N-400 is the application for U.S. naturalization—the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. Along with meeting the residency and eligibility requirements, you'll need to pay a filing fee when you submit your application. Understanding what you'll owe, whether you qualify for a waiver or reduction, and how to pay correctly can save you both money and processing headaches.

This article covers everything you need to know about the N-400 application fee as of 2025.

What Is the Current N-400 Fee?

As of April 1, 2024, when USCIS implemented new fee rules:

• Standard N-400 filing fee: $760
• Biometric services fee: No longer a separate line item — biometrics are included in the filing fee for most N-400 applicants

This represents an increase from the previous fee of $725 (plus $85 for biometrics). The total out-of-pocket for most applicants under the new schedule is $760, compared to $810 under the prior schedule — so the change actually reduced total cost for the majority of applicants.

If you file online through the USCIS online account portal, the fee is the same as paper filing. USCIS eliminated the $10 online filing discount that had previously applied.

Who Qualifies for a Fee Waiver?

USCIS will waive the N-400 filing fee entirely for applicants who demonstrate financial hardship or meet certain categorical eligibility criteria. A fee waiver means you pay nothing — $0 — for the application.

You qualify for a fee waiver if any of the following apply:

• You receive a means-tested benefit, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SNAP (food stamps), TANF, or similar federal or state assistance
• Your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines
• You can demonstrate financial hardship that makes the fee unaffordable — this requires documentation and explanation

To request a fee waiver, submit Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) with your N-400 application. You must document your basis for the waiver with supporting evidence: benefit letters, tax returns, pay stubs, or other financial records. USCIS will adjudicate the waiver request and may approve or deny it.

If your fee waiver is denied, you'll receive a notice and an opportunity to pay the fee before your application is rejected. You won't automatically lose your place in the queue — but you'll need to pay promptly to keep your application moving.

Reduced Fee Option: $380 for Lower-Income Applicants

USCIS also offers a reduced fee of $380 — exactly half the standard fee — for applicants whose household income falls between 150% and 400% of the federal poverty guidelines. This is a relatively new option that expanded income-based relief for middle-income applicants who don't qualify for a full waiver.

To request the reduced fee, you don't submit Form I-912. Instead, you submit Form I-942 (Request for Reduced Fee) alongside your N-400. You'll need to document your income with recent pay stubs, W-2s, or a tax return. The reduced fee of $380 covers the complete filing — no additional biometrics fee applies.

Here's how the three fee tiers work:

• Full waiver (I-912): Household income ≤ 150% FPL or means-tested benefit recipient → $0
• Reduced fee (I-942): Household income 151%–400% FPL → $380
• Standard fee: All others → $760

The federal poverty guidelines are updated annually. Check the current year's guidelines at hhs.gov before calculating your eligibility — the thresholds change each January.

Active Duty Military Exception

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who apply for naturalization under sections 328 or 329 of the INA (covering military service naturalization) are exempt from the N-400 filing fee entirely. No I-912 or I-942 required — the fee exemption is automatic for qualifying military applicants. USCIS certifies eligibility through military liaison channels.

How to Pay the N-400 Fee

Payment methods depend on whether you're filing by mail or online:

Filing by Mail

If you file a paper N-400, USCIS accepts:

• Personal check
• Cashier's check or money order
• Credit or debit card (using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions)

Make checks or money orders payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." Write your full name and A-Number on the check. Never send cash through the mail.

Filing Online

If you file through the USCIS online account portal, you pay electronically at time of submission using a credit card, debit card, or bank account (ACH). The fee is charged when you submit — keep your payment confirmation email as a record.

What Happens If You Pay the Wrong Fee

USCIS will reject your application if you pay too little. You'll receive a rejection notice and your entire application package (including supporting documents) will be returned. You'll need to resubmit with the correct fee. This can cost weeks or months of processing time, especially if the rejection coincides with a USCIS fee increase.

If you pay too much, USCIS typically returns the overage — but this takes time and adds administrative friction. Always verify the current fee on the USCIS website before submitting, since fees can change.

One common mistake: applicants who filed under the old fee schedule (pre-April 2024) and received a rejection or RFE sometimes try to refile without rechecking the fee. Always check the current fee at uscis.gov at time of submission, not at time of initial preparation.

The Fee in Context: Total Cost of Naturalization

The N-400 filing fee is the primary cost, but it's not the only one. When budgeting for naturalization, account for:

• Translation costs: Foreign-language documents submitted with the N-400 must be accompanied by certified English translations. Translation services typically charge $30–$75 per page.
• Attorney fees (optional): Many applicants file N-400 without an attorney, but if you have a complicated case—prior arrests, immigration violations, or complex travel history—an immigration attorney can help avoid denial. Attorney fees for N-400 assistance typically run $500–$2,000 depending on complexity.
• Passport application (post-naturalization): Once you receive your certificate of naturalization, you'll likely want a U.S. passport. Adult passport application fees are currently $130 (book) plus $35 execution fee.

Total out-of-pocket for a standard uncomplicated case at the standard fee: $760 filing fee + any translation costs + optional attorney fees. For many applicants, the total comes to $800–$1,500.

Filing Fee Refund Policy

USCIS does not refund filing fees if your application is denied. If your N-400 is denied for any reason—including failure to pass the civics or English test, failure to appear for the interview, or ineligibility—the $760 is not returned. This makes it important to confirm your eligibility before filing, not after.

USCIS will refund if they reject (not deny) your application for a technical reason, such as wrong fee or missing signature, and return the package to you. In that case, the payment is returned along with the package. But adjudicated denials — cases that USCIS reviewed on the merits — are not refundable.

Preparing for the Naturalization Exam

Paying the fee is step one. The naturalization process also includes a civics interview, English reading and writing test, and background check. Many applicants start studying for the civics test while waiting for their interview appointment, which can take several months after filing depending on service center backlogs.

The USCIS publishes the official 100 civics questions used in naturalization interviews. Applicants 65 or older who have been permanent residents for 20 or more years need to study only 20 of the 100 questions. There are also English test accommodations for applicants with certain qualifying medical disabilities (filed via Form N-648).

Processing times for N-400 vary significantly by USCIS field office. Check current processing times at the USCIS website using your receipt notice's service center code. Interview wait times in some high-volume cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago) can run 12–24 months from filing. Plan accordingly when timing your application.