How Much Does It Cost to Become a U.S. Citizen?

TL;DR

• The government filing fee for Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) is $710 online or $760 by paper. Biometrics are included in this fee. There is no separate fingerprinting charge.

• Applicants with household income between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify for a reduced fee of $380.

• Applicants who receive means-tested public benefits or earn at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify for a full fee waiver, reducing the government cost to $0.

• Military members naturalizing under INA Sections 328 or 329 are exempt from all filing fees.

• Optional costs such as attorney fees, document translation, and travel to USCIS appointments can add to the total. For most straightforward cases, the government fee is the only mandatory expense.

What Is the Total Cost to Become a U.S. Citizen?

For most applicants, the total mandatory cost to become a U.S. citizen is the Form N-400 filing fee: 

• $710 when filed online

• $760 when filed by mail. 

As of April 1, 2024, biometrics are bundled into this fee. No separate payment is required for fingerprinting or photographs, even though USCIS may still require you to attend a biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center.

Beyond the government fee, the costs you may encounter depend on your circumstances. The table below covers the full picture.

Always verify the current fee on the USCIS fee schedule at uscis.gov/g-1055 before filing. Fees can change, and submitting an incorrect amount results in automatic rejection.

The Form N-400 Filing Fee

The Form N-400 filing fee is the single mandatory government cost for naturalization. Effective April 1, 2024, USCIS set the following amounts under its final fee rule (published January 31, 2024, in the Federal Register):

• $710 for applications filed online through a USCIS online account. 

• $760 for applications filed by paper mail.

The $50 difference reflects a discount USCIS now offers to encourage digital filing. Applicants requesting a reduced fee or full waiver cannot use the online option. They must file by paper.

Payment method change: As of October 28, 2025, USCIS no longer accepts paper checks or money orders for most paper filings. Payment must be made by credit or debit card using Form G-1450, or by ACH bank transfer using Form G-1650. These authorization forms must be included with the paper filing package.

What the fee covers: The N-400 filing fee covers all USCIS processing from submission through the oath ceremony and issuance of your Certificate of Naturalization. There is no additional charge at the naturalization interview, the civics and English tests, or the oath ceremony itself.

USCIS filing fees are nonrefundable, even if the application is denied or withdrawn.

Biometrics: No Longer a Separate Charge

Before April 1, 2024, USCIS charged a separate $85 biometrics fee for N-400 applicants. That standalone charge has been eliminated. The cost is now built into the N-400 filing fee for all applicants.

You may still be scheduled for a biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints, a photo, and a signature. Attending when scheduled is required, but there is no additional fee for it.

The Reduced Fee Option

Applicants who cannot afford the full N-400 fee but do not qualify for a complete waiver may pay a reduced fee of $380 instead.

Who qualifies: Per the USCIS fact sheet on N-400 filing fees, applicants whose documented annual household income is between 150% and 400% of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible for the reduced fee.

How to apply: The request is made on Part 10 of the N-400 form itself. No separate form is needed. The prior Form I-942, which was used for this purpose before April 2024, is now obsolete. Reduced fee applicants must file by paper and include supporting income documentation such as recent tax returns or pay stubs.

Do not request a reduced fee and a full waiver at the same time. They are separate pathways.

The Full Fee Waiver

Eligible applicants can have the entire N-400 government fee waived. A fee waiver is requested on Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver), filed by paper alongside the N-400.

Per the Immigration Legal Resource Center's analysis of the 2024 fee rule, USCIS recognizes three qualifying pathways:

1. Means-tested benefit receipt. You or a qualifying household member receives Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, TANF, or another means-tested benefit.

2. Income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Documented household income falls at or below that threshold.

3. Extreme financial hardship. Your circumstances create a genuine inability to pay, even if the above criteria are not met.

Supporting documentation is required for all three. USCIS will deny a waiver request that lacks sufficient evidence, and will then require full fee payment before processing continues. Keep organized records and submit clear proof.

Attorney Fees

You are not required to hire an attorney to apply for U.S. citizenship. The N-400 is one of the more self-navigable immigration forms, and there are cases where applicants complete it successfully on their own.

That said, attorney assistance is worth considering if your case involves a criminal history, lengthy periods of travel abroad that could affect your continuous residence calculation, prior immigration violations, or any other factor that could complicate your eligibility. 

According to multiple practitioner sources surveyed in 2024 and 2025, attorney fees for standard naturalization cases typically range from $2500 to $18,500. 

The lower end often covers document review or interview preparation only. 

The higher end generally includes full-service representation through the application, preparation, and interview. Cases with complications may cost more.

For a genuinely straightforward case, with no eligibility concerns and consistent U.S. residency throughout the qualifying period, self-filing is a reasonable approach. 

If there is any doubt about eligibility, an initial consultation with an immigration attorney is often the most cost-effective first step. Many attorneys offer consultations for $200 to $400, with the fee sometimes credited toward total costs if you proceed with them.

Other Costs to Budget For

• Document translation: All documents submitted to USCIS that are not in English must include a certified English translation. Translation costs vary by language and document complexity. Budget anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars depending on how many documents require translation.

• Travel to USCIS appointments: The naturalization process requires at least two in-person appearances: a biometrics appointment and a naturalization interview. Both are scheduled during business hours. Applicants should plan for transportation costs and any work time they may need to take off.

• Civics test preparation: The civics and English test is part of the interview, not a separate fee event. USCIS provides free study materials. Applicants who filed on or after October 20, 2025, take the revised civics test, which draws from a pool of 128 questions. The officer asks 20 questions during the interview, and the applicant must answer at least 12 correctly. Free community resources are often available for test preparation, though some applicants opt for structured classes or tutoring that may cost more.

• Form N-600: This optional form allows individuals who acquired citizenship automatically at birth or through a parent to obtain a formal Certificate of Citizenship. It is not part of the standard naturalization process and is only needed in specific situations. The filing fee is $1,335 online or $1,385 by paper.

Military Members and Veterans

Applicants naturalizing under INA Section 328 (service in peacetime) or Section 329 (service during a designated period of hostility) are exempt from the N-400 filing fee. The government cost is $0. 

Proof of qualifying military service must be included with the application. No separate fee waiver form is required for military-based exemptions.

Cost Breakdown by Scenario

Conclusion

For most applicants, the total mandatory cost of becoming a U.S. citizen is $710 to $760. That single payment covers the entire USCIS process from application through oath ceremony. 

Reduced fees and full waivers are available for those who qualify. Military members pay nothing.

Optional costs like attorney representation and document translation depend on your specific situation, but they are not required. 

The most important steps before filing are confirming your eligibility, checking the current fee at uscis.gov/g-1055, and ensuring your payment method meets USCIS's current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to apply for U.S. citizenship?

The government filing fee for Form N-400 is $710 when filed online and $760 when filed by paper. These fees have been in effect since April 1, 2024. Biometrics are included. There is no additional charge for the interview, the civics test, or the oath ceremony.

Is there a separate biometrics fee for naturalization?

No. As of April 1, 2024, USCIS eliminated the separate $85 biometrics fee for N-400 applicants. It is now included in the main filing fee. You may still be required to attend a biometrics appointment, but no additional payment is required.

Can I get a fee waiver for my citizenship application?

Yes. Applicants who receive means-tested public benefits, have household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or can demonstrate extreme financial hardship may qualify for a complete waiver using Form I-912. If approved, the government fee is $0. Fee waiver applicants must file by paper.

Who qualifies for the reduced N-400 fee?

Applicants whose documented annual household income is between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify for a reduced fee of $380. The request is made on Part 10 of the N-400 form. No separate form is needed, and Form I-942 is now obsolete. Reduced fee applicants must file by paper with supporting income documentation.

Do military members pay to apply for citizenship?

No. Members of the U.S. armed forces naturalizing under INA Section 328 or Section 329 are exempt from the N-400 filing fee. Qualifying service documentation must be submitted with the application.

Do I need an attorney to apply for U.S. citizenship?

No. You are not required to hire an attorney. Many applicants complete the N-400 on their own. Legal assistance is most valuable if your case involves a criminal history, extended travel abroad, prior immigration violations, or other factors that could affect eligibility.

How much do attorneys charge for naturalization cases?

Attorney fees for a standard naturalization case typically range from $500 to $2,500, based on practitioner surveys from 2024 and 2025. The range reflects differences in service level, location, and case complexity. Attorney fees are separate from USCIS filing fees.

Can I still pay by check or money order?

No. As of October 28, 2025, USCIS no longer accepts paper checks or money orders for most paper filings. Payment must be made by credit or debit card via Form G-1450, or by ACH bank transfer via Form G-1650. Online applicants pay through the USCIS portal at submission.

Are USCIS filing fees refundable if my application is denied?

No. USCIS filing fees are nonrefundable regardless of outcome. This applies whether the application is denied, withdrawn, or not adjudicated. Confirming eligibility and submitting a complete application before filing is important for this reason.

What does the N-400 filing fee include?

The N-400 fee covers all USCIS processing: the biometrics appointment, background check, naturalization interview, civics and English tests, and the Certificate of Naturalization issued at the oath ceremony. No additional government fees are charged at any of these steps.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. USCIS fees and requirements change periodically. Always verify current amounts at uscis.gov before filing. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney.