How much does it cost to apply for US citizenship in 2026?

Form N-400 costs $710 to file online or $760 on paper in 2026, with no separate biometric fee. A reduced fee of $380 is available for applicants between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and a full fee waiver is available at or below 150%.

Is there a reduced fee for the N-400?

Yes. Applicants with household income between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can pay a reduced N-400 fee of $380 by filing Form I-942 (Request for Reduced Fee) with the application.

Can I get a fee waiver for naturalization?

Yes. If your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you receive a means-tested benefit, or you have financial hardship, you can request a full fee waiver using Form I-912, so the N-400 costs nothing.

N-400 citizenship application cost

Becoming a U.S. citizen runs through one main form — Form N-400, Application for Naturalization — and for most applicants the filing fee is the only government cost. Here is what it costs in 2026 and who pays less.

Informational only — not legal advice. Fees change; confirm the current N-400 fee on USCIS.gov before filing.

The answer first

In 2026, Form N-400 costs $710 to file online or $760 on paper. There is no separate biometric fee. Two discounts exist:

Situation	N-400 fee
Standard (online)	$710
Standard (paper)	$760
Reduced fee (150–400% of poverty guidelines, Form I-942)	$380
Fee waiver (≤150% of poverty guidelines, Form I-912)	$0

Filing online not only saves $50 but is the only way to qualify for the lower handling.

Why online is cheaper

The 2024 fee rule introduced a $50 online discount on the N-400, matching the trend across many USCIS forms. If you are comfortable filing through a USCIS online account, the $710 rate is the default. Paper filers pay $760.

The reduced fee and the fee waiver

USCIS offers two separate income-based breaks, and it matters which one you use:

Reduced fee ($380): for household income between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You request it with Form I-942.
Full fee waiver ($0): for income at or below 150% of the guidelines, receipt of a means-tested public benefit, or documented financial hardship. You request it with Form I-912.

You cannot use both. Choose the one your income qualifies you for. Note that fees created by H.R. 1 (such as the asylum fee) cannot be waived — but the N-400 is a standard USCIS fee, so the waiver applies normally.

What else to budget

The N-400 fee usually covers everything the government charges, but plan for:

Passport-style photos if filing from abroad (most domestic filers do not need to submit photos).
Travel to the biometrics appointment, interview and oath ceremony.
English/civics test preparation materials (free official study tools exist).
Attorney fees, if you choose representation — optional and separate from the government fee.

How the N-400 fits the bigger picture

You generally need to have held a green card for 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen) before filing N-400. If you also needed to replace a green card along the way, that is Form I-90 at $415 online. If your N-400 is denied, an appeal hearing is Form N-336 at $780 online.

To compare the citizenship cost with the earlier green-card cost, see how much a U.S. green card costs, and total any combination of forms with the fee calculator.

Sources and accuracy

The N-400 fee is from the USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055) and the official N-400 page, current as of June 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice — confirm the fee on USCIS.gov and consult a licensed immigration attorney for advice. See our methodology.