U.S. citizenship application costs have changed, and the amount an applicant pays in 2026 depends on how Form N-400 is filed and whether the applicant qualifies for a reduced fee or fee waiver.
For most applicants, the current government filing fee for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is $710 when filed online and $760 when filed on paper. Qualifying applicants may pay a reduced filing fee of $380, while some applicants may qualify for a complete fee waiver and pay $0.
These amounts are different from the previous naturalization fee structure. Before April 1, 2024, most applicants paid a total of $725, consisting of a $640 Form N-400 filing fee and an $85 biometric services fee. Under the current system, the separate biometrics fee has been eliminated, the paper filing cost has increased slightly, and applicants who file online actually pay less than they did under the previous fee schedule.
For lawful permanent residents considering citizenship, understanding these differences can help prevent incorrect payments and confusion caused by older immigration articles that continue to appear in search results. Rebecca Black Law, P.A. assists permanent residents with naturalization and U.S. citizenship, including determining eligibility, preparing Form N-400, reviewing potential issues before filing, and preparing applicants for the citizenship interview.
How Much Does It Cost to Apply for U.S. Citizenship in 2026?
The standard cost of applying for U.S. citizenship in 2026 is $710 for an online Form N-400 filing or $760 for a paper filing. Applicants who meet the requirements for a reduced fee may pay $380, while approved fee-waiver applicants and certain qualifying military applicants may pay no filing fee.
The current USCIS filing fees are:
| Type of Form N-400 Filing | Current USCIS Fee |
|---|---|
| Online Form N-400 | $710 |
| Paper Form N-400 | $760 |
| Qualifying reduced fee | $380 |
| Approved fee waiver | $0 |
| Certain qualifying military applicants | $0 |
There is no longer a separate biometric services fee for Form N-400. USCIS may still require an applicant to provide biometrics or may reuse biometrics already on file, but applicants do not pay an additional $85 biometric fee as they did under the previous system.
These are government filing fees paid to USCIS. They do not include attorney’s fees or other expenses that may arise from obtaining certified records, translations, court documents, tax transcripts, travel history, or other evidence required for a particular case.
Applicants who want to understand the application itself in more detail can also review our complete guide to Form N-400.
How Do the 2026 Citizenship Costs Compare With the Previous N-400 Fees?
The current naturalization fee structure works differently from the previous system, and simply saying that citizenship “became more expensive” does not give the full picture.
Before April 1, 2024, a standard naturalization applicant generally paid $640 for Form N-400 plus an $85 biometric services fee, bringing the typical total government cost to $725.
Under the current fee schedule, applicants filing online pay $710, while applicants filing on paper pay $760.
| Filing Method | Previous Cost | Current Cost | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard N-400 filing | $725 | ||
| Online Form N-400 | $710 | $15 less | |
| Paper Form N-400 | $760 | $35 more | |
| Reduced-fee filing | Previous rules varied | $380 | Expanded eligibility |
| Separate biometrics fee | $85 included in $725 total | $0 separate fee | Eliminated |
This means applicants who file the standard Form N-400 online actually pay $15 less than applicants paid under the previous fee structure. Applicants who file a paper application pay $35 more.
The distinction matters because many older articles describe the citizenship application fee as having increased across the board. That is not accurate under the current system. The paper filing cost increased, while the online filing cost is slightly lower than the previous standard total.
Did the U.S. Citizenship Application Fee Increase?
For applicants filing Form N-400 on paper, yes. The standard paper filing cost increased from the previous $725 total to $760, an increase of $35.
For applicants filing online, however, the current $710 fee is actually $15 lower than the previous $725 total.
USCIS also changed the structure of the fee. Instead of charging a Form N-400 filing fee plus a separate biometric services fee, biometrics are now incorporated into the filing fee.
The result is a system in which the amount an applicant pays depends more heavily on how the application is submitted and whether the applicant qualifies for reduced-fee or fee-waiver provisions.
Does It Cost $1,170 to Apply for U.S. Citizenship?
No. The standard cost of filing Form N-400 in 2026 is not $1,170.
Applicants may still encounter older articles discussing a proposed naturalization filing fee of approximately $1,170. Those articles generally refer to a previous proposed USCIS fee structure and do not reflect the amount currently charged for a standard Form N-400 filing.
The current standard fee is $710 online or $760 on paper.
This distinction is particularly important because older immigration information can remain highly visible in search results long after a proposed rule or previous fee schedule has ceased to be relevant. Applicants should always verify the current USCIS fee before submitting an immigration application rather than relying solely on an older article.
Why Does Form N-400 Cost Less Online?
USCIS provides a $50 discount for the standard Form N-400 when it is filed online, which explains the difference between the $710 online fee and the $760 paper fee.
Online filing can also provide practical advantages. Applicants can submit the application through a USCIS online account, upload supporting documentation, receive certain notices electronically, and monitor the progress of the case.
However, the least expensive filing method is not necessarily available to everyone. Applicants requesting a reduced filing fee or complete fee waiver generally need to file Form N-400 on paper.
Applicants should also avoid choosing a filing method based solely on the $50 difference. Someone with a complicated travel history, criminal record, tax problem, previous immigration violation, or uncertainty about how permanent resident status was obtained may benefit from reviewing those issues before submitting Form N-400 in any format.
Can You Pay a Reduced $380 Citizenship Filing Fee?
Some naturalization applicants may qualify to pay a reduced $380 Form N-400 filing fee based on household income.
Under the current USCIS rules, applicants whose documented annual household income falls within the applicable income range may qualify for the reduced fee. The current framework extends reduced-fee eligibility to certain applicants with household income between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
This represents a significant change from the previous fee structure, which provided reduced-fee eligibility to a narrower group of applicants.
Applicants seeking the $380 filing fee generally need to submit Form N-400 on paper and provide the information required to establish eligibility. Because the Federal Poverty Guidelines are updated periodically, applicants should use the guidelines in effect at the time they file rather than relying on an older income chart.
A reduced fee is also different from a complete fee waiver. Qualifying for the $380 option does not automatically mean an applicant qualifies to pay no filing fee.
Can the Citizenship Application Fee Be Waived Completely?
Some applicants may qualify for a complete fee waiver, meaning they can submit Form N-400 without paying the standard filing fee.
Eligibility for a fee waiver may arise in circumstances involving qualifying means-tested benefits, household income at or below the applicable USCIS threshold, or extreme financial hardship that prevents payment of the filing fee.
Applicants seeking a complete fee waiver generally need to submit the appropriate fee-waiver request, supporting documentation, and a paper Form N-400.
A fee waiver affects how much an applicant pays USCIS. It does not reduce or eliminate the substantive requirements for naturalization. An applicant must still independently establish eligibility for U.S. citizenship.
Is There Still an $85 Biometrics Fee for Citizenship?
No. Applicants no longer pay a separate $85 biometric services fee when filing Form N-400.
Under the previous fee schedule, most applicants paid a $640 N-400 filing fee together with an $85 biometrics fee, producing the familiar $725 total.
Under the current system, biometrics are incorporated into the Form N-400 fee structure. USCIS may still schedule an applicant for biometrics or reuse previously collected biometric information, but there is no separate $85 N-400 biometric charge.
This is another area where older immigration articles can create confusion. Applicants looking at older citizenship cost information may still see a $640 filing fee plus an $85 biometric fee, even though that fee structure is no longer current.
How Much Does the Entire U.S. Citizenship Process Cost?
For many applicants, the Form N-400 filing fee is the primary mandatory government expense involved in applying for citizenship.
A standard applicant will generally pay $710 online or $760 on paper. Someone qualifying for the reduced fee may pay $380, while an approved fee-waiver applicant or certain qualifying military applicants may pay nothing to file Form N-400.
Additional expenses depend on the circumstances of the case. An applicant may need certified court dispositions, translated documents, tax transcripts, travel records, immigration records, or other supporting evidence. Applicants who choose to work with an immigration attorney will also have legal fees separate from the government filing fee.
The difference between a straightforward naturalization case and a complicated one is therefore not limited to the USCIS filing fee. Someone with an uncomplicated immigration history may have relatively few additional expenses, while an applicant with prior arrests, extensive international travel, tax concerns, previous immigration violations, or questions about permanent resident status may require additional documentation and legal analysis.
How Much Does It Cost for a Married Couple to Apply for Citizenship?
Naturalization is an individual immigration application. Married couples do not generally submit one Form N-400 or pay one combined citizenship filing fee.
If both spouses are lawful permanent residents and both want to become U.S. citizens, each spouse generally files a separate Form N-400 and pays the applicable fee.
For example, if both spouses file standard applications online, each would currently pay $710, producing a combined USCIS filing cost of $1,420.
If both spouses file standard paper applications, each would pay $760, resulting in a combined filing cost of $1,520.
The costs could be lower if either spouse independently qualifies for a reduced fee or fee waiver.
Children may be treated differently because some children automatically acquire or derive U.S. citizenship through a parent rather than filing Form N-400 themselves.
How Do Online and Paper Citizenship Filing Costs Compare?
For applicants paying the standard Form N-400 fee, online filing currently saves $50 per applicant.
An individual applicant pays $710 online instead of $760 on paper. A married couple filing two N-400 applications would therefore pay $1,420 online compared with $1,520 for two paper applications, a difference of $100.
For a family in which several eligible permanent residents are independently applying for naturalization, the difference can become more significant.
However, applicants requesting reduced fees or fee waivers generally cannot simply choose the less expensive online method. Those requests typically require paper filing.
Cost should therefore be considered alongside eligibility, filing requirements, and the complexity of the individual case.
Is Citizenship Free for Members of the U.S. Military?
Certain current and former members of the U.S. armed forces may qualify to file Form N-400 without paying the standard filing fee.
Military naturalization is governed by specific provisions of U.S. immigration law, and qualifying service can provide important benefits in the citizenship process. However, military service does not necessarily mean that every naturalization requirement is automatically waived.
Applicants seeking citizenship based on military service should determine which statutory provision applies and whether their service and immigration history satisfy the corresponding requirements.
What Happens If You Pay the Wrong N-400 Fee?
Submitting an incorrect filing fee can result in USCIS rejecting Form N-400.
A rejection is different from a denial on the merits, but it can still delay the naturalization process because the applicant may need to correct the filing and submit it again.
Applicants should therefore verify the required filing amount immediately before submitting Form N-400. This is particularly important because immigration filing fees change periodically and older fee schedules frequently remain available online.
The applicant should also make sure the current edition of Form N-400 is being used and that the filing instructions applicable on the date of submission are followed.
Is the N-400 Filing Fee Refundable If Citizenship Is Denied?
USCIS filing fees generally pay for the processing and adjudication of the application. The fee is not ordinarily refunded simply because Form N-400 is later denied.
This makes eligibility review important before an applicant spends hundreds of dollars submitting the application.
For example, a permanent resident who has spent significant time outside the United States may have continuous residence issues. Another applicant may have unresolved tax obligations, criminal history, or an issue connected with a previous immigration application. Filing Form N-400 without understanding those issues can result in far greater consequences than simply losing the filing fee.
Naturalization should therefore be treated as a legal process rather than simply a form submission.
Make Sure You Qualify Before Paying the Citizenship Application Fee
Holding a green card for a certain number of years does not automatically mean an applicant is ready to become a U.S. citizen.
Many permanent residents apply under either the standard five-year naturalization rule or the three-year rule available to certain permanent residents married to U.S. citizens. Our guide to the 5-year and 3-year citizenship rules explains how these two common eligibility paths work.
USCIS can also review continuous residence, physical presence, international travel, tax history, marital history, Selective Service registration when applicable, previous immigration filings, criminal history, and whether the applicant satisfies the good moral character requirement.
Reviewing these issues before submitting Form N-400 can help identify potential complications before the application reaches a USCIS officer.
Can Criminal History Affect a Citizenship Application?
Yes. Criminal history can affect eligibility for naturalization, and applicants should not assume an old arrest, dismissed charge, citation, or completed criminal case is necessarily irrelevant.
Form N-400 contains extensive questions concerning arrests, citations, charges, convictions, probation, and other conduct. USCIS may consider criminal history when determining whether an applicant satisfies the good moral character requirement, and certain criminal offenses can create more serious immigration consequences.
Applicants with criminal history should consider reviewing the circumstances carefully before filing. Our guide to how criminal history affects citizenship eligibility explains some of the issues that may arise.
What Happens After You File Form N-400?
Submitting Form N-400 and paying the filing fee begins the naturalization process. It does not complete it.
USCIS reviews the application and the applicant’s immigration history, conducts the required background checks, determines whether biometrics must be collected or can be reused, and eventually schedules the applicant for a naturalization interview.
During the interview, a USCIS officer generally reviews the Form N-400 with the applicant and asks questions about eligibility and background. Most applicants must also complete the required English and civics testing unless an exemption applies.
Applicants can prepare for this stage by understanding what USCIS is likely to review and making sure their answers and supporting documents are consistent with the application. Our guide to the naturalization interview and how to prepare explains this stage in greater detail.
Is Becoming a U.S. Citizen Worth the Cost?
The filing fee is an important practical consideration, but the value of U.S. citizenship extends far beyond the cost of Form N-400.
Eligible U.S. citizens may vote in federal elections, obtain a U.S. passport, seek certain government positions, receive additional protections while traveling abroad, and generally have broader options for petitioning for qualifying family members.
Citizenship can also provide greater permanence than lawful permanent residence. A green card provides substantial rights and protections, but permanent residents remain subject to immigration laws that can affect their status in certain circumstances.
Our comparison of permanent residence and U.S. citizenship explains several of the important differences.
For many immigrants, naturalization represents the final stage of a much longer immigration journey and an opportunity to participate fully in civic life in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Citizenship Application Costs
How much does U.S. citizenship cost in 2026?
The standard Form N-400 filing fee is $710 when filed online and $760 when filed on paper. Qualifying applicants may pay a reduced fee of $380 or receive a complete fee waiver.
How much did citizenship used to cost?
Before April 1, 2024, the standard cost was generally $725, consisting of a $640 Form N-400 filing fee and an $85 biometric services fee.
Did the citizenship application fee increase?
The paper filing cost increased from the previous $725 total to $760. The current $710 online filing fee is $15 lower than the previous standard total.
How much more does paper filing cost?
A standard paper Form N-400 costs $50 more than an online filing.
Is there still an $85 biometrics fee?
No. USCIS no longer charges a separate biometric services fee for Form N-400.
Does citizenship cost $1,170?
No. The $1,170 amount refers to an older proposed fee structure and is not the current standard Form N-400 filing fee.
Can I pay $380 for Form N-400?
Qualifying applicants may be eligible for the $380 reduced filing fee based on household income and current USCIS requirements.
Can the N-400 filing fee be waived?
Yes. Some applicants may qualify for a complete fee waiver based on USCIS eligibility requirements.
How much would citizenship cost for a married couple?
If both spouses file standard Form N-400 applications online, the current combined USCIS filing fees would be $1,420. Two standard paper applications would cost $1,520.
Do I get my filing fee back if USCIS denies my citizenship application?
Generally, USCIS filing fees are not refunded merely because an application is denied.
Considering Applying for U.S. Citizenship?
Understanding U.S. citizenship application costs is an important part of preparing to naturalize, but the filing fee is only one part of the decision.
Before submitting Form N-400, applicants should consider their permanent resident history, travel outside the United States, tax records, criminal or citation history, previous immigration applications, marital history, Selective Service obligations when applicable, and any other circumstances that could affect eligibility.
Rebecca Black Law, P.A. focuses exclusively on U.S. immigration and nationality law. Our immigration attorneys assist clients with naturalization eligibility reviews, Form N-400 preparation, complicated immigration histories, citizenship interviews, and other issues that may arise during the naturalization process.
If you are considering applying for U.S. citizenship, contact Rebecca Black Law, P.A. to schedule a consultation and discuss your naturalization case.
USCIS filing fees, forms, procedures, and immigration requirements can change. Applicants should verify current requirements before filing.
