How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen?

For most adults in 2026, becoming a U.S. citizen costs $710 if you file Form N-400 online or $760 if you file by mail, according to the USCIS fee schedule. That single government fee—sometimes called the citizenship application fee or naturalization cost—now covers biometrics, the interview, the tests, and your oath ceremony.

If you qualify for a reduced fee or a full waiver, that drops to $380 or $0. Once you add real-world costs like study materials, translations, travel, and your first passport, the all-in total usually lands somewhere between about $800 and $2,000, depending on your situation.

Here's how the full citizenship application fee and related costs break down for 2026:

Important—confirm the current N-400 fee before filing. A federal law now allows USCIS to adjust certain fees annually for inflation beginning in fiscal year 2026, so the exact amount can change. Always check the latest figure on the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) before you submit.

What the N-400 fee actually covers

The N-400 filing fee is the single largest cost for most applicants—and under the current rule, it's close to all-inclusive. That one payment covers receiving and reviewing your naturalization application, running your FBI and security background checks, your biometrics appointment, the English and civics tests, your interview, and finally your oath ceremony and Certificate of Naturalization.

There's no longer a separate biometrics fee. Under the current USCIS fee rule, fingerprinting and the background check are folded into the main Form N-400 fee—so the $710 or $760 you pay is the full government processing cost, whether you file online or by mail, per USCIS's Form N-400 fee guidance.

Who pays a reduced fee—or nothing at all?

Not everyone pays the full amount. Depending on your income, service history, and circumstances, you may qualify to pay $380, $0, or no fee at all. Here are the main paths to relief and how to request each.

Low-income applicants: $0 or $380

If your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines—or you receive a "means-tested benefit" (a program only available to people below a certain income, like Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or TANF), or you can show extreme financial hardship such as major medical bills or recent job loss—you may qualify for a full fee waiver and pay $0. If your income falls between 150% and 400% of the guidelines, you may instead qualify for a reduced fee of $380.

Military members and certain veterans: often no fee

If you're an active-duty service member or a qualifying veteran naturalizing under sections 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, you may be able to file Form N-400 without paying any filing fee. Exact eligibility depends on your dates and type of service.

Children who become citizens through a parent

Most children under 18 acquire citizenship automatically through their parents and don't file an N-400 at all—families typically file Form N-600 instead, which has its own separate fee.

How to request a fee waiver or reduced fee

If you qualify, here's how to actually claim the lower amount—and the mistake that trips people up most.

Which form to use

For a full waiver, complete Form I-912 and file it with your N-400, following USCIS's fee waiver guidance. For the reduced $380 fee, you request it directly inside Form N-400 (Part 10)—the old standalone Form I-942 is now obsolete. Either way, you generally must file on paper rather than online to claim a waiver or reduction.

Documents you'll need

USCIS reviews your financial eligibility first, and if your waiver or reduction is denied, your application won't move forward until you pay the correct fee. That's why your supporting documents matter so much. Plan to include recent federal tax returns, pay stubs or an employer letter, approval letters for any benefits, and records of any hardship. Thin documentation is one of the most common reasons these requests get denied.

How to lower the cost of citizenship

A few moves can meaningfully cut your total:

Keep in mind there are no payment plans: USCIS expects the full amount when you file, unless your waiver or reduction is approved.

Does the cost change depending on your state?

No. Naturalization is a federal process, so the N-400 fee, waiver rules, and eligibility standards are identical in every state—there's no separate state filing fee. The only thing that varies by location is the cost of locally sourced documents, like certified copies of vital records or certified translations, which are priced by your county and by individual vendors.

How an attorney who works with Marble can help

For a clean, straightforward case, you may not need an attorney—and we'll tell you that honestly. But if your situation has complications, working with an experienced immigration attorney who works with Marble can help you identify and address issues before they become problems. An attorney can confirm whether you qualify for a fee waiver and document it correctly, flag anything in your record that could trigger a denial, prepare you for the English, civics, and interview portions, and review your N-400 before you submit so fixable errors don't slow you down. Marble bills by service, not by hour—you see a fixed price for each step before you agree to it, with no hourly charges and no surprise invoices for calls, texts, or emails.

Final thoughts

So how much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen in 2026? For most people, it's $710 online or $760 by paper for the N-400 filing fee—often less with a waiver or reduced fee, and somewhere around $800 to $2,000 once you factor in test prep, translations, travel, and your first passport. Many permanent residents qualify for real financial help, and for most eligible green card holders, the lasting benefits of becoming an American citizen make the cost well worth it.

FAQs

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and isn't legal advice. Immigration laws and USCIS fees change over time, and how they apply depends on your specific situation. For guidance about your own case, consult a licensed immigration attorney.