N-400 fee in 2026: the $380 reduced fee and fee waivers (Form I-912)

According to the USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055, edition dated October 16, 2026), the N-400 costs:

• $710 if you file online through a USCIS online account.
• $760 if you file on paper.
• $380 (reduced fee) if your household income is not more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Paper filing only.
• $0 with an approved fee waiver (Form I-912 or a written request). Paper filing only.
• $0 if you apply based on military service under INA section 328 or 329.

USCIS rejects an application sent with the wrong fee. Check uscis.gov/n-400 or the USCIS Fee Calculator on the day you file.

Online filers pay inside their USCIS account by credit, debit or prepaid card, or by bank account withdrawal.

If you file on paper, USCIS expects electronic payment:

• Credit card: include Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.
• Bank (ACH) debit: include Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions.
• If you cannot use either, Form G-1651 explains the limited exemption for paper payment.

Cash is never accepted. Make sure the card or account has enough money available: if the payment does not go through, the fee is not paid and the application can be rejected.

You qualify if your household income is less than or equal to 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size when you file. The Department of Health and Human Services publishes the guidelines each year (aspe.hhs.gov).

To ask for it, complete Part 10 of the paper N-400 and include:

• A copy of each household member's most recent federal tax return; or
• If someone did not file, or the return no longer reflects current income: pay stubs covering at least the past month, a recent Form W-2, Form SSA-1099, or an employer letter on business stationery showing wages.

The head of household is the person who filed the most recent tax return listing you as a dependent, or the person who provides most of the household's income.

Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver (edition 07/22/25; earlier editions are also accepted), asks USCIS to waive the whole N-400 fee. You must show you cannot pay in one of three ways:

• Means-tested benefit: you, your spouse, your child living with you, or your parent (if you are under 21 or disabled) currently receives a benefit based on income, such as Medicaid, SNAP, TANF or SSI. Medicare, unemployment benefits, Social Security retirement, SSDI and student financial aid do not count.
• Income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size. Form I-912P lists the current amounts.
• Financial hardship: for example a medical emergency, unemployment, eviction, homelessness, a natural disaster, or divorce or death of a spouse that reduced your income. Describe it and send documents.

For a benefit, send a letter or notice showing the person's name, the agency, the type of benefit, and that it is being received now. If the document is more than 12 months old, add newer proof.

• Fee waiver and reduced-fee requests must be filed on paper; you cannot request either in an online N-400.
• Send the I-912 (or a signed written request) and its evidence in the same package as the N-400.
• If your income or household on the I-912 differs from your tax return, explain why on the form.
• Be accurate: false information on a fee waiver request can lead to denial of the waiver and of other immigration benefits, and to penalties.
• If you are unsure whether you qualify, a nonprofit legal service provider or a DOJ-accredited representative can review your documents. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

On June 23, 2026, DHS published a proposed rule (docket USCIS-2026-0265) that would:

• Raise the N-400 fee to $1,330 on paper and $1,280 online.
• Raise the N-336 hearing request fee to $1,475 on paper and $1,425 online.
• End the $380 reduced fee and end fee waivers for the N-400 and N-336.
• Keep the fee exemption for military applicants under INA 328 and 329.

A proposed rule is not law. The October 16, 2026 fee schedule still showed the current fees, the reduced fee and fee waivers. A final rule would set an effective date and explain which fee applies to applications sent around that date. If you are already eligible to file and would qualify for a waiver or the reduced fee, keep this possible change in mind.