Becoming a U.S. citizen isn't cheap. Honestly, it’s one of the most significant financial investments a family can make, and the numbers have shifted quite a bit lately. If you are sitting at your kitchen table wondering how much is to apply for citizenship, the short answer is $710 if you file online. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.
It used to be simpler. A few years ago, you just wrote one check and hoped for the best. Now, USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) has moved toward a tiered system that favors people who use their digital portal. If you’re a fan of paper and ink, you’re going to pay a premium. Filing by mail currently costs $760.
Why the $50 difference? The government wants you off their paper trail.
The breakdown of N-400 filing fees
The primary form you’ll deal with is the N-400, Application for Naturalization. Since April 1, 2024, the fee structure became a bit of a maze. Most people assume there is just one flat rate, but that’s not really the case anymore.
For the average adult applicant filing online, you’re looking at that $710 figure. This actually includes the biometric services fee—that's the fancy term for when they take your fingerprints and photo. In the old days, biometrics was a separate $85 add-on. Now, for most, it’s bundled. This makes the math easier, but the sting to your wallet remains the same.
What if you aren't exactly "average" in the eyes of the law?
There is a massive break for lower-income applicants. If your household income is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you might qualify for a reduced fee. We’re talking $380 instead of the full price. It’s a huge relief. To get this, you usually have to submit Form I-942. It’s extra paperwork, but saving nearly $400 is worth the hand-cramps from filling out more forms.
Then there are the lucky ones. If you are applying based on qualifying military service under Section 328 or 329 of the INA, the fee is exactly $0. Nothing. It is the government’s way of saying thanks for your service.
Hidden costs nobody mentions
You can’t just look at the USCIS website and assume that's all you'll spend. That is a rookie mistake.
First, let's talk about the photos. You need two identical color passport-style photographs. If you go to a local pharmacy or a shipping center, they’ll charge you anywhere from $15 to $25. It sounds like peanuts compared to the $710, but it adds up.
👉 See also: Sleeping With Your Neighbor: Why It Is More Complicated Than You Think
Then there is the "Life Paperwork" tax. To apply, you need certified copies of everything. Marriage certificates. Divorce decrees. Tax transcripts from the IRS. Some counties charge $10 to $20 for a certified copy of a birth certificate. If you’ve lived a complicated life with multiple marriages or legal name changes, you could easily drop $100 just gathering the evidence required to prove you are who you say you are.
Do you actually need a lawyer?
This is where the price tag for how much is to apply for citizenship truly explodes.
A lot of people DIY their citizenship. If you have a clean record, stayed in the U.S. consistently, and have a straightforward case, you can probably handle the N-400 yourself. But not everyone has a clean record.
Private immigration attorneys usually charge a flat fee for naturalization cases. Depending on where you live—think New York City versus a small town in Ohio—you’re looking at $1,000 to $3,000 in legal fees.
Is it worth it?
If you have a "red flag," absolutely. A red flag could be a DUI from ten years ago, a long trip outside the U.S. that lasted more than six months, or a mistake on a previous visa application. Spending $2,000 on a lawyer is better than losing $710 on a denied application and potentially ending up in removal proceedings.
Lawyers provide peace of mind. They do the "lawyer math" on your physical presence requirements. They make sure you don't accidentally commit perjury because you forgot about a traffic ticket in 2012.
The cost of the English and Civics test
The test itself doesn't cost money, but preparing for it might. If your English is shaky, you might want a tutor or a specialized class. Many community centers offer these for free, but private tutoring can run $40 an hour.
Most people use the free tools provided by USCIS. They have a great mobile app and study booklets. But don't underestimate the "time cost." You have to study 100 civics questions. You need to be able to read and write basic English sentences. If you have to take time off work for your biometrics appointment and again for your interview, you’re losing wages. For a person making $20 an hour, two days of missed work is $320 in "lost" money.
✨ Don't miss: At Home French Manicure: Why Yours Looks Cheap and How to Fix It
When you can get a total fee waiver
There is a difference between a "reduced fee" and a "fee waiver."
A fee waiver (Form I-912) means you pay $0. To get this, you usually have to demonstrate that you are experiencing extreme financial hardship. Maybe you’re receiving a means-tested benefit like Medicaid, SNAP (Food Stamps), or SSI.
USCIS is strict about this. You can't just say you're broke. You have to prove it with tax returns or benefit letters. But for a family living on the edge, this is the difference between becoming a citizen and staying a Green Card holder forever.
It's worth noting that if you apply for a fee waiver, you must file by mail. You can't do the fancy $710 online filing. You have to send the paper N-400 and the paper I-912 together in one big envelope.
Real-world examples of citizenship expenses
Let's look at a couple of different scenarios to see how the math actually shakes out in real life.
Scenario A: The "Smooth Sailing" Applicant
- Online N-400 Fee: $710
- Passport Photos: $20
- Certified Marriage Certificate: $15
- Total: $745
Scenario B: The "Complicated Past" Applicant
- Paper N-400 Fee: $760
- Attorney Fee: $1,500
- 10 years of IRS Tax Transcripts: $0 (if ordered online)
- Court Records for an old arrest: $50
- Passport Photos: $20
- Total: $2,330
The gap is huge. It really comes down to your history.
The post-citizenship costs
Congrats! You passed. You took the oath. You’re American.
🔗 Read more: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Menu: Why You’re Probably Ordering Wrong
Now you want a passport. That’s another $130 for the passport book and a $35 execution fee if it’s your first one. If you want the passport card too, add another $30.
Total cost for the "First Day of Freedom"? About $165 to $195.
Then there is the Certificate of Citizenship for your kids. If you naturalize, your children under 18 who are permanent residents might become citizens automatically. But they don't get a "paper" to prove it unless you apply for Form N-600.
Brace yourself: Form N-600 costs $1,385 if filed online ($1,335 for some, but generally it's the most expensive form in the naturalization catalog). Many parents skip this and just get their kids a U.S. passport, which serves as proof of citizenship for a fraction of the cost.
Strategic ways to save money
Don't just blindly pay. Be smart.
- File Online: It saves you $50. It also helps prevent "rejections" where they send the whole package back because you forgot to sign a page. The online system won't let you submit until every box is checked.
- Check the Poverty Guidelines: Every year, the Department of Health and Human Services updates these. If you are even $1 under the limit for the reduced fee, take it.
- Use Free Legal Clinics: Many non-profits (like Catholic Charities or local immigrant resource centers) have "Citizenship Days." Pro bono lawyers will check your paperwork for free.
- The Passport Loophole for Kids: As mentioned, skip the N-600 for your kids unless you absolutely need it for a specific legal reason. A passport is valid proof of citizenship and costs about $1,200 less.
The price of U.S. citizenship is high, but the benefits—voting, federal jobs, protection from deportation, and traveling with one of the most powerful passports in the world—usually outweigh the initial sting.
Final Financial Checklist
Before you hit submit, make sure you've accounted for every dollar.
- Verify if you qualify for the $380 reduced fee based on your latest tax return.
- Decide if you’re filing online ($710) or by mail ($760).
- Budget for the $165+ passport fee that comes immediately after the ceremony.
- Set aside $50 for photos and document copies.
- If you have any criminal record, even a "minor" one, budget for a consultation with an attorney. A $200 consultation is better than a $710 lost application fee.
The journey to naturalization is a marathon, not a sprint. The financial hurdle is often the first and hardest one to clear. By knowing exactly how much is to apply for citizenship before you start, you can save up, avoid surprises, and focus on what really matters: passing that test and finally calling this country your own.
To move forward, your first step is to download the "Current Poverty Guidelines" (Form I-864P) from the USCIS website. Compare your most recent Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your 1040 tax return to these numbers. If your income falls below the 400% threshold, you are legally entitled to the lower filing fee, which changes your entire savings goal. Once you have your budget set, create a USCIS online account to see the digital version of the N-400, which will guide you through the required evidence without the pressure of a ticking clock.