The fees for the N-400 application — the form you file to apply for U.S. naturalization — are a practical concern for anyone planning to become a citizen. Before you file, you need to know exactly how much to budget, whether you might qualify for a fee waiver or reduction, and what happens to your payment once USCIS receives it.
This guide covers the current fee structure, who qualifies for reduced fees or waivers, how to pay, and the broader financial context of the naturalization process.
As of the most recent USCIS fee schedule, the N-400 application fee is $760 for most applicants. This covers the biometrics fee — unlike some other USCIS applications, the N-400 fee currently includes biometrics services, so there's no separate fingerprinting fee on top of the base amount.
This fee is payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (not to USCIS directly — the check or money order should be made out to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security").
USCIS fees change periodically, so it's worth verifying the current amount on the USCIS website before you file. Submitting the wrong fee amount — even by a small margin — will result in USCIS rejecting your application and returning it. They won't process a partial payment or contact you to request the balance; they'll reject and return the entire application, requiring you to re-file.
Some applicants qualify for a reduced filing fee of $380 (50% reduction). This reduced fee applies to applicants who have a household income between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
To request the reduced fee, you must file Form I-942 (Request for Reduced Fee) with your N-400. The I-942 asks for household size and income information to verify eligibility. You do not need to provide documentation of income with the initial filing, but USCIS may request evidence to verify your eligibility.
This reduced-fee option was introduced relatively recently and represents a significant change from the previous system. Before this option existed, applicants either paid the full fee or requested a full waiver (a higher bar). The reduced-fee tier expanded access for working families who earn too much for a waiver but for whom $760 represents a genuine financial burden.
A full fee waiver (paying $0) is available to applicants who demonstrate an inability to pay. USCIS considers a fee waiver request through Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver). Qualifying grounds include:
Fee waivers for N-400 are not automatic. You must request the waiver, provide supporting documentation, and USCIS will adjudicate the request. If the waiver is denied, you'll need to pay the full fee and re-file. Plan for this possibility — denial of a fee waiver doesn't mean your naturalization application is rejected, only that you need to pay.
One important note: USCIS is under no obligation to approve a fee waiver even if you technically meet the criteria. They consider the totality of circumstances. Applications submitted with clearly fraudulent or unsupported waiver requests can slow your overall processing.
Members of the U.S. military who are filing for naturalization based on qualifying military service are exempt from filing fees. Naturalization based on military service uses different legal pathways (sections 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act), and USCIS waives fees for these applications.
If you're filing based on military service, confirm you're using the correct legal basis and fee exemption when filing. The application form (N-400) is the same, but the legal basis for eligibility and the fee treatment differ.
Applicants who are 75 years of age or older are exempt from the biometrics portion of the fee. Since the current N-400 fee structure includes biometrics in the base fee, older applicants should verify the current fee structure at the time of filing, as the fee components and exemptions have been adjusted over time.
USCIS accepts multiple payment methods for N-400 fees:
Check or money order. Payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." Personal checks are accepted. If filing by mail, include the check with your application package.
Credit or debit card. USCIS accepts credit and debit card payments if you're filing online or if you attach Form G-1450 (Authorization for Credit Card Transactions) to a paper filing.
Online payment. If you file the N-400 online through a USCIS account, you can pay electronically during the filing process. This is generally the most convenient method and reduces the risk of payment errors.
Do not send cash through the mail. Do not make checks payable to "USCIS" — it must be "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." An incorrectly addressed check is a common rejection reason.
USCIS will send you a receipt notice (Form I-797) confirming they've received your application and payment. This receipt notice is important — keep it. It includes your receipt number, which you use to check case status online, and it serves as evidence that your application is pending (which can be relevant for employment authorization and other purposes).
The receipt notice does not mean your application is approved. It means USCIS received it and that it passed the initial review for basic completeness. The adjudication process — which includes a background check, biometrics appointment, and interview — comes afterward.
USCIS does not refund application fees if your naturalization application is denied. Even if you're found ineligible, the fee paid for the filing and adjudication services provided — not for a guaranteed approval. This is why it's worth thoroughly reviewing your eligibility before filing.
The N-400 filing fee is the main cost, but it's not the only one. Planning for the full financial picture helps avoid surprises:
Attorney or accredited representative fees (optional): Many people file the N-400 without professional help — the form is lengthy but self-explanatory for straightforward cases. If your situation is complex (criminal history, past immigration violations, long absences from the U.S.), an immigration attorney can be worth the investment. Fees for naturalization assistance typically run $500–$1,500 depending on complexity and location.
Document costs: You may need to obtain certified copies of records for your application (birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, police certificates if applicable). The cost varies by document type and country of origin. Budget $50–$200 for document gathering, potentially more for internationally-obtained records that require apostilles or translations.
Translation costs: Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by certified translations. Professional certified translation typically costs $50–$150 per document.
Passport fees (after naturalization): Once you're a citizen, you'll likely want a U.S. passport. First-time adult passport applications cost $130 (book) or $30 (card), plus a $35 acceptance fee at most facilities. Not a filing cost per se, but part of the practical financial timeline.
A surprising number of N-400 applications get rejected for avoidable payment issues. The most common ones:
Wrong payment amount. Check the USCIS website right before you file — fees change, and using an outdated amount results in rejection.
Check made out to wrong payee. It must be "U.S. Department of Homeland Security," not USCIS, not the Department of Justice, not any other variation.
Expired credit card on file. If paying by credit card via G-1450, make sure the card expiration date and billing address are current.
Filing the wrong form or wrong version. USCIS updates forms periodically. Always download the current version from uscis.gov — outdated form versions are rejected.
Insufficient funds when check clears. USCIS will return your application and you'll need to re-file. This also triggers a delay in your overall processing timeline.
USCIS periodically revises its fee schedule through a formal rulemaking process. Fee increases typically require advance notice and public comment periods, so they don't happen overnight. That said, if you're planning to file the N-400 but haven't done so yet, it's worth monitoring USCIS's website for any upcoming fee changes that might affect your budget planning.
Large fee increases have been proposed and debated in recent years. The current fee of $760 represents a significant increase from the $640 fee that was in effect for several years. Before this, fees were much lower. The trend has been upward over time, reflecting increased processing costs and USCIS's position as a fee-funded agency.
If a fee increase is announced with an effective date in the future, you may benefit from filing before the increase takes effect — as long as you're ready to file a complete, accurate application. Filing prematurely to beat a fee deadline, then submitting an incomplete application, creates more problems than it solves.
Understanding the fees for the N-400 application is part of planning a successful naturalization process. The $760 standard fee is the core cost, but document gathering, potential translation needs, and optional legal help all add to the total. If cost is a concern, check your eligibility for the reduced fee or waiver options — they exist specifically for this reason.
The most important thing is to file correctly the first time. Rejections due to payment errors, wrong form versions, or incomplete documentation mean re-filing — and paying again. Taking time to verify the current fee, prepare a complete application, and confirm your eligibility before filing is time well spent.
If you're preparing for the civics test that's part of the naturalization interview, practice tests are one of the most effective preparation tools. They cover the 100 civics questions that USCIS may ask, helping you build confidence before your interview.