What is the N-400 filing fee in 2026?
The government fee to file Form N-400 in 2026 is $760 on paper or $710 online — filing through a myUSCIS account triggers an automatic $50 discount. Crucially, biometrics are folded into that fee under the schedule that took effect in April 2024; there is no separate $85 biometrics charge anymore. This N-400 fee sits within the broader 2026 USCIS fee schedule, and as with every USCIS payment, you should confirm the current amount against the live G-1055 schedule before you write a check, because a wrong payment amount means the whole package is rejected.
Compared with the earlier stages of your immigration journey, citizenship is relatively cheap: a marriage green card can run past $3,000 in government fees alone, as our green card cost guide breaks down. By the time you file the N-400 you have already paid for the green card itself, so the naturalization fee is the last major government charge on the path — unless you also need to renew an expiring green card while you wait, in which case our green card renewal guide covers that separate I-90 cost.
Who qualifies for a reduced fee or waiver?
There are two levels of relief. Applicants in a household at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can pay a reduced fee of $380 for the N-400 by filing Form I-942. Applicants at or below 150% of the Guidelines, or who receive a means-tested benefit, or who can document financial hardship, can request a full fee waiver on Form I-912 — and unlike the I-485 green-card application, the N-400 is fully waiver-eligible. These options are a real reason not to delay citizenship over cost; the underlying eligibility is the same whether or not you pay full price.
One group pays nothing at all: certain members of the US military naturalizing under special provisions are exempt from the N-400 fee entirely. If you are unsure which category fits your household, the safest move is to run your numbers through the official fee calculator before filing. And if your finances are tight, weigh the timing carefully — you can file up to 90 days before you hit the residence requirement covered in our how to become a US citizen guide, so there is rarely a reason to rush into full fee when a reduction may apply.
Do I need to pay a lawyer to file the N-400?
For a straightforward case — clean record, clear residence history, no complicated travel — many people file the N-400 themselves, and USCIS designs the form to be completed without counsel. Where a lawyer earns their fee is complexity: past arrests, extended trips abroad that raise continuous-residence questions, tax issues, or anything touching good moral character. Our guide on whether you actually need an immigration lawyer draws that line, and if you decide to hire one, the immigration lawyer cost guide shows typical flat fees, which for naturalization usually land in the $500–$1,500 range on top of the government fee.
Be wary of paying a non-lawyer "notario" or unregulated consultant for something you can do yourself or that genuinely needs a licensed attorney — this is a well-documented way immigrants lose money and, worse, jeopardize a case. If you want to understand what an attorney actually does before deciding, our explainer on what an immigration lawyer does is a good starting point, and you can compare doing it yourself against hiring help in our DIY vs lawyer guide.
What is the total cost of naturalizing in 2026?
For most self-filers, the total is simply the filing fee: $710 online or $760 by paper, with biometrics included. Add nothing for the tests — the civics and English exams carry no separate charge, though you should still confirm which version applies to you via our 2026 citizenship test guide. If you hire an attorney, budget the government fee plus roughly $500–$1,500 in legal fees for a routine case.
Don't forget the small downstream cost most people overlook: after you naturalize, applying for your first US passport is a separate State Department fee, not a USCIS one. That is a worthwhile expense — a US passport is the cleanest proof of citizenship for travel — and it is the natural next step once you have taken the oath. To estimate when that day arrives, use our N-400 processing time guide, and browse the full Visa Answers hub for the rest of the citizenship roadmap.
US citizenship costs in 2026
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| N-400 online | $710 | Automatic $50 online discount; biometrics included |
| N-400 paper | $760 | Biometrics included |
| Reduced fee (≤400% FPG) | $380 | File Form I-942 |
| Fee waiver (≤150% FPG / benefits) | $0 | File Form I-912; N-400 is waiver-eligible |
| Military naturalization | $0 | Exempt under special provisions |
| Civics + English test | $0 | No separate fee |
| Optional attorney (routine case) | $500–$1,500 | On top of government fee |
Related Questions
How much does it cost to apply for US citizenship in 2026?
The N-400 filing fee is $760 on paper or $710 online, with biometrics included. Households at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can pay a reduced $380 fee, and those at or below 150% (or receiving means-tested benefits) can request a full fee waiver.
Is there a separate biometrics fee for the N-400?
No. Since the fee schedule that took effect in April 2024, biometrics are included in the N-400 filing fee. There is no separate $85 biometrics charge for naturalization applicants filing in 2026.
Do I save money by filing the N-400 online?
Yes. Filing online through a myUSCIS account applies an automatic $50 discount, bringing the fee to $710 versus $760 by paper. Online filing also gives you instant receipt notices and live case-status tracking.
Can I get the citizenship fee waived?
Yes. The N-400 is fully fee-waiver-eligible. You can request a waiver on Form I-912 if you receive a means-tested benefit, are at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or can demonstrate financial hardship. A reduced $380 fee is available up to 400% of the Guidelines.
Do I need a lawyer to apply for citizenship?
Not for a straightforward case — many people file the N-400 themselves. A lawyer is worth the typical $500–$1,500 fee when your case involves past arrests, long trips abroad, tax problems, or other issues that raise continuous-residence or good-moral-character questions.
Official Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; always confirm with the official government source before acting.