The U.S. Naturalization Filing Fee (Form N-400) and How to Request a Reduced Fee

According to the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055, edition 10/16/26), the fee for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is $760 if you file on paper or $710 if you file online. Lower-income applicants may qualify for a reduced fee of $380 or a full fee waiver.

Fees can change. Before you file, check the latest schedule at uscis.gov/g-1055. If you send the wrong amount, USCIS will reject the application.

The three N-400 fee levels

• Standard fee: $760 on paper, $710 online.
• Reduced fee: $380, paper filing only, for households with documented annual income at or below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• Fee waiver: $0, if USCIS approves a fee waiver request (Form I-912).

Applicants who file based on U.S. military service under INA section 328 or 329 pay no N-400 fee.

Requesting the $380 reduced fee

You can request the reduced fee if your household's annual income is not more than 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and you include documentation of that income. How to do it:

1. Use the paper Form N-400. You cannot request a reduced fee online.
2. Select "Yes" in Part 10, Item Number 1, and complete the rest of Part 10.
3. Send $380 with documents that show your household income, such as tax returns.

Requesting a fee waiver with Form I-912

If you cannot pay the fee, you can request a waiver with Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. Form I-912 must be filed together with a paper Form N-400. You cannot send Form I-912 after USCIS has received your N-400.

Under USCIS instructions, a waiver request is generally based on receiving a means-tested benefit, household income at or below 150 percent of the poverty guidelines, or extreme financial hardship that prevents you from paying. If you rely on a benefit, the document must show the recipient's name, the agency, the type of benefit, and that it is currently being received.

How to pay

• Online filing: pay by credit, debit or prepaid card, or bank withdrawal, inside the online system.
• Paper filing: pay by credit card with Form G-1450, or by bank withdrawal with Form G-1650. Do not mail a check or money order unless you qualify for an exemption with Form G-1651.
• USCIS never accepts cash.

Online or paper?

Filing online costs $50 less and makes your case easier to track. Paper is the only option if you are requesting a reduced fee or a fee waiver. Either way, you can create a USCIS online account to check your case status.

What to do next

The fee is only one part. The bigger task is preparing for the interview and the civics test. If you file on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 128-question test and need 12 correct answers out of up to 20 questions.

Every case is different. If you are not sure you qualify for a reduced fee or a waiver, ask an immigration attorney or a Department of Justice recognized organization.