The current N-400 fee
According to the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055, edition 10/01/26):
- Filing online: $710
- Filing on paper: $760
- Reduced fee: $380 (paper only), if your household income is not more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
- Fee waiver: $0 (paper only), if USCIS approves your Form I-912
- Military service: $0, if you apply under INA section 328 or 329 based on your U.S. military service
The fee schedule doesn't list a separate biometrics fee for Form N-400, so this one fee is all you pay USCIS to apply. Fees change, so check the N-400 page or Form G-1055 on the day you file. If you send the wrong amount, too little or too much, USCIS rejects the application.
The fee isn't refunded if you're denied. USCIS rules say filing fees generally are non-refundable, whatever the outcome. That's one more reason to make sure you're eligible before you file. Our citizenship date calculator shows the earliest date you can apply.
Online or paper?
Filing online through a USCIS online account costs $50 less, lets you upload evidence, and lets you follow your case and get notices in your account. But you can't file online if you're asking for a reduced fee or a fee waiver. In that case, you must mail a paper Form N-400.
The reduced fee ($380)
You can pay half the fee if your documented annual household income is not more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size. To ask for it:
- File a paper Form N-400.
- In Part 10, answer "Yes" to the fee reduction question and fill in your household size and household income.
- Send proof of household income with the application. The N-400 instructions point to the most recent federal tax return for each household member, or, if a return doesn't reflect current income, documents such as recent pay stubs, a W-2, Form SSA-1099 or statements from employers.
- Pay $380.
The Federal Poverty Guidelines are set each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Using the 2026 guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and D.C., 400% works out to $63,840 for 1 person, $86,560 for 2, $109,280 for 3 and $132,000 for 4 (add $22,720 for each additional person). Alaska and Hawaii are higher. Use the figures that are current when you file. The N-400 instructions explain who counts as part of your household.
The fee waiver (Form I-912)
If you can't pay at all, you can ask USCIS to waive the fee with Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver (or a written request), filed together with a paper N-400. Don't send a fee. The I-912 instructions list three ways to qualify:
- You receive a means-tested benefit. This is a public benefit based on income, such as Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), TANF or SSI. It can also count if your spouse or a child living with you receives it, or your parent if you're under 21 or disabled. You must show it's being received now: a letter or notice from the agency with your name, the agency, the type of benefit and current dates.
- Your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time you file. Using the 2026 HHS guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and D.C., that works out to $23,940 for 1 person, $32,460 for 2, $40,980 for 3 and $49,500 for 4 (add $8,520 for each additional person). Alaska and Hawaii are higher, and the figures change every year.
- Financial hardship. For example, a medical emergency, unemployment, a big loss of work hours, eviction, homelessness or a natural disaster that leaves you unable to pay. Explain your situation and send evidence.
The I-912 must be signed, or USCIS will reject it. If your income is above 150% but not more than 400% of the guidelines, and you don't receive a means-tested benefit or have a financial hardship, look at the reduced fee instead.
How to pay
- Online: pay in your USCIS online account with a credit, debit or prepaid card, or by bank account withdrawal.
- By mail: USCIS now asks for an electronic payment. Pay by credit card with Form G-1450 or by bank transfer (ACH) with Form G-1650, placed on top of your application. Paper checks and money orders are only for people who qualify for an exemption with Form G-1651. Many older guides still tell you to send a check, so check the current rules.
- Never cash. USCIS doesn't accept cash for filing fees, even at a USCIS office.
The Form G-1450 instructions say the card must be issued by a U.S. bank, and that if the card is declined, the application is rejected for lack of payment and the charge is not tried a second time. Make sure the card or account can cover the full amount.
Other citizenship fees you might see later
- Form N-336 (asking for a hearing after a denial): $830 on paper, $780 online. See what your interview results mean.
- Form N-565 (replacing a lost, damaged or incorrect naturalization certificate): $555 on paper, $505 online. It's free if the certificate is wrong because of a USCIS error.
- Form N-600 (Certificate of Citizenship, for example for your children who became citizens through you): $1,385 on paper, $1,335 online.
Fee waivers can also be requested for N-336, N-565 and N-600.
Before you pay
- Confirm the amount on the USCIS N-400 page the day you file.
- Make sure you can apply now: citizenship date calculator.
- Fill out the form carefully: how to fill out Form N-400, part by part.
- Gather your documents: N-400 document checklist.
Sources: USCIS Form G-1055, Fee Schedule (edition 10/01/26: N-400, N-336, N-565 and N-600 fees, payment methods, fee waivers); USCIS: N-400, Application for Naturalization and the Form N-400 Instructions (edition 01/20/25); USCIS: Form I-912 and the Form I-912 Instructions (edition 07/22/25); USCIS: Form G-1450 and its instructions; HHS Poverty Guidelines (2026); 8 CFR 103.2(a)(1) (fees generally non-refundable). Fees and payment rules change; always confirm on uscis.gov before you file. This is general information, not legal advice.