Here's Exactly What Naturalization Costs in 2026 — and Who Doesn't Have to Pay It

You've been a lawful permanent resident for five years. You've kept your nose clean, paid your taxes, maintained continuous residence. You're ready to apply. Then you look up the N-400 fee — and it's more than you expected.

The cost of naturalization is real, and it's worth planning for. Here's everything you need to know: what you pay, when you pay it, whether you might not have to pay it at all, and what happens to your money if the application doesn't go the way you hoped.

The 2026 N-400 Filing Fee

As of 2026, the N-400 filing fees are:

• $710 — filing online through myUSCIS
• $760 — filing by paper mail

The $50 discount for online filing was introduced in USCIS's April 2024 fee schedule update and remains in effect. If you can file online, it's the more affordable option and tends to result in faster confirmation that USCIS received your application.

These fees are non-refundable. If your application is denied, rejected, or withdrawn, you do not get your money back. USCIS uses the fee to fund the processing of your application — the outcome doesn't change that.

Always verify the current fee at uscis.gov/n-400 before you file. Fees have changed multiple times in the past decade, and submitting the wrong amount is one of the most common reasons applications are rejected without review.

What's Included in the Fee

The $710/$760 covers the full application processing, including your biometrics appointment (fingerprints and photo). USCIS previously charged a separate $85 biometrics fee — that was rolled into the N-400 fee in the 2024 update.

What the fee does not cover:

• Any legal assistance you hire
• Costs to obtain supporting documents (certified translations, official records)
• Your US passport after approval ($130–$165, applied for separately through the State Department)
• Any appeal fees if you need to file Form N-336 after a denial

Who Qualifies for a Fee Waiver

If paying $710 is genuinely difficult, USCIS offers fee waivers through Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. You may qualify if:

• Your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
• You currently receive a means-tested public benefit (such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or TANF)
• You can demonstrate financial hardship through other documentation

Fee waivers are not automatic — you must complete the I-912 and include supporting documents with your N-400. If USCIS denies the waiver, they'll give you a chance to pay the fee before rejecting the application entirely.

Military applicants filing under INA Section 328 (for military service during peacetime) or INA Section 329 (for service during hostilities) are exempt from all fees — no waiver required.

If you think you may qualify for a waiver, the Legal Services Corporation's legal aid finder can connect you with free or low-cost immigration legal help in your area to evaluate your eligibility.

How to Pay

For online filings, payment is processed through myUSCIS at the time of submission. USCIS accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank account transfers (ACH).

For paper filings, include a check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Do not write "USCIS" — use the full department name, or your payment may be rejected. Personal checks are accepted. Do not send cash.

One thing that trips people up: if you're filing as a couple (both applying for naturalization), each person needs their own N-400 and their own separate filing fee. You can't split one fee across two applications.

What Happens If the Fee Goes Up After You File?

Your fee is locked at the amount in effect on the date USCIS receives your application. If fees increase while your application is pending — which has happened before — you don't owe the difference. The fee you paid when you filed is the fee that applies to your case.

Reduced Fee for Some Low-Income Applicants

In addition to full waivers, USCIS offers a reduced fee of $460 for applicants whose household income is between 150% and 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. This is separate from the full waiver — it requires Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee, instead of I-912.

The reduced fee option is worth checking if you earn too much to qualify for a full waiver but the full $710 is a stretch. CitizenPath's immigration FAQ has a plain-language breakdown of both the waiver and reduced fee processes.

The Full Cost Picture

If you pay full price and handle everything yourself, naturalization typically costs $710–$760 total. Here's how a realistic budget looks:

• N-400 filing fee: $710 (online) / $760 (paper)
• Supporting documents (certified copies, translations): $0–$150, varies
• Optional attorney or accredited representative: $500–$2,000+, varies widely
• US passport after naturalization: $130–$165

Most people who are well-prepared handle the N-400 themselves without legal help — the application is long but straightforward if your situation is uncomplicated (no arrests, no extended travel, continuous residence). USAHello's citizenship guide walks through the full process in plain language across multiple languages.

If your case has complications — prior arrests, gaps in residence, complex tax history, or prior immigration violations — legal help is worth the cost. A denial doesn't refund your filing fee.

After You Pay: What to Expect

Once USCIS receives and accepts your N-400, you'll get a receipt notice (Form I-797) within a few weeks. That notice includes your receipt number, which you can use to track your case at uscis.gov/casestatus.

Then comes the waiting — background checks, biometrics, and eventually your interview notice. Our guide to naturalization processing times in 2026 covers what the wait looks like and what's normal.

While you're waiting, the best thing you can do is prepare for the civics and English tests. The fee is paid. The application is in. Now it's about being ready when the interview notice arrives. FutureCitizen.us is a free simulator that runs you through the real USCIS civics questions in interview format — no cost, no signup, built for exactly this waiting period. Start practicing at futurecitizen.us.