Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization in 2026 typically costs around 700–800 dollars in government fees for most people , but your real total can range from roughly 800 dollars to well over 2,000–4,000 dollars once you include extras like travel, test prep, translations, and possibly a lawyer.

How much does it cost to become a US citizen?

Quick Scoop

If you already have a green card and you’re asking “how much does it cost to become a US citizen,” you’re mainly looking at the Form N‑400 application and a few common side costs. Most recent guidance from immigration-focused law firms and nonprofits in 2025–2026 shows:

  • N‑400 filing fee (paper): about 760 dollars.
  • N‑400 filing fee (online): about 710 dollars (USCIS gives a small discount if you file online).
  • Biometrics: in older rules this was a separate 85‑dollar charge, but in current fee schedules it is generally rolled into the N‑400 fee , not paid separately.

So for most typical cases in 2026:

  • Budget at least: around 700–800 dollars in mandatory government fees.
  • Realistic total with extras: often 800–1,500 dollars , and it can go past 2,000–4,000 dollars if you hire an attorney or need lots of documents and translations.

Think of it like this: the N‑400 fee is your “ticket,” but the true journey includes study materials, travel, paperwork, and sometimes professional help.

Main government fees (the non‑negotiables)

These are the core costs almost everyone has to face.

1. N‑400 naturalization filing fee

  • Online filing (USCIS account): about 710 dollars.
  • Paper filing by mail: about 760 dollars.

Why the difference?

  • USCIS is slowly pushing people toward online filing , so mailing a paper form is a bit more expensive.

2. Biometrics (fingerprints and photos)

  • Under older rules, biometrics cost 85 dollars on top of the filing fee.
  • In updated fee structures reflected in 2024 and beyond, biometrics are usually included in the N‑400 fee , so you don’t pay a separate biometrics charge anymore, even though you still go to a fingerprint appointment.

So from a budgeting angle, you can treat the 710–760 dollars as your main all‑in government fee for the application step itself.

Extra costs people forget to plan for

The question “how much does it cost to become a US citizen” usually doesn’t include all the “hidden” or soft costs. These can add up.

1. English & civics test preparation

  • If you use free materials (like USCIS study guides or free YouTube classes), this can be 0 dollars.
  • Paid options can run from 20–30 dollars for a book or app, up to 100–300 dollars or more for courses or tutoring.

2. Document gathering & translations

You may need:

  • Certified copies of birth certificates, marriage or divorce records, or court records: often 15–50 dollars per document.
  • Certified translations (if documents are not in English): commonly 20–50 dollars per page.

For many people, this ends up in the 50–200‑dollar range, but it can be more if you have complex history.

3. Passport photos, printing, small admin costs

  • Passport‑style photos, printing your application or supporting evidence, and notary signatures can add around 20–40 dollars.

4. Travel to appointments

You’ll usually travel to at least:

  • Biometrics appointment
  • Naturalization interview
  • Oath ceremony

Depending on where you live, travel could be:

  • Just local bus/metro fare, or
  • Gas, tolls, parking , or even a hotel if your local USCIS office is far away.

People often underestimate this, but it’s easy to spend 50–200 dollars across the whole process on just transportation and incidentals.

5. Attorney or legal help (optional but common)

  • Flat fees for citizenship cases often range from a few hundred dollars to well over 1,500 dollars , depending on complexity and the firm.
  • If you have past arrests, long trips outside the U.S., tax problems, or immigration complications , a lawyer can be extremely helpful, but it changes your total cost dramatically.

Because of this, some realistic total ranges for many applicants look like:

  • No lawyer, low extras: around 800–1,000 dollars total.
  • With lawyer and more documents: 1,500–3,000+ dollars.

Ways to reduce or waive the cost

USCIS does have options that can make “how much does it cost to become a US citizen” a lot less scary if your income is low.

1. Full fee waiver

  • Some applicants can get the entire N‑400 fee waived , meaning you pay 0 dollars in government filing fees if you qualify.
  • This is usually based on:
    • Very low income (often below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines),
    • Certain public benefits , or
    • Serious financial hardship.

2. Reduced fee

  • There’s also a reduced fee option (using Form I‑942) for people whose household income is between about 150% and 200% of the poverty guidelines.
  • In 2026, a reduced N‑400 fee is expected to be around 380 dollars instead of the full 710–760 dollars.

This means that for some applicants:

  • Core government cost: about 380 dollars instead of 700+.

You still need to plan for travel, documents, etc., but this can cut your total out‑of‑pocket cost nearly in half.

After you’re approved: new costs as a citizen

The naturalization process doesn’t quite end at the oath ceremony if you want to fully use your new status.

1. U.S. passport

Most new citizens apply for a U.S. passport soon after the oath.

  • In 2026, adult passport fees are around 165 dollars (this can vary slightly based on State Department fee changes and whether you pay for expedited service).

2. Optional ceremony extras

These aren’t required but are common:

  • New outfit for the ceremony, professional photos, extra copies of documents, and similar small costs.
  • Many people spend another 50–200 dollars if they treat it like a big celebration with family.

Putting it all together

Here’s a simple way to visualize the typical ranges for “how much does it cost to become a US citizen” in 2026:

Scenario| Government N‑400 fee| Other common costs (docs, travel, prep, passport)| Attorney?| Likely total range
---|---|---|---|---
Standard, online filing, no lawyer| About 710 dollars 39| 150–500 dollars 17| No| ~860–1,200 dollars
Standard, paper filing, no lawyer| About 760 dollars 379| 150–500 dollars 17| No| ~910–1,260 dollars
Reduced fee approved| About 380 dollars 79| 150–500 dollars 17| No| ~530–880 dollars
Complex case with attorney| 710–760 dollars 37| 200–600 dollars 17| 800–2,000+ dollars 110| ~1,700–3,500+ dollars

“Latest news” and what to watch for

  • USCIS has moved toward periodic fee updates tied to administrative costs and inflation, so fees you see talked about in older forum threads (like 640 or 725 dollars) may be outdated by 2026.
  • Recent guidance shows online vs. paper pricing and the continued use of income‑based fee waivers and reductions , so always cross‑check the current USCIS fee schedule before you file.

Because this topic is constantly discussed on immigration forums and social media, you’ll often see people comparing “I paid 640” or “I paid 725.” That’s usually because they filed under older fee rules. By 2026, the numbers around 710–760 dollars are the ones you should plan around, unless you qualify for a reduction or waiver.

TL;DR

  • Core cost in 2026: about 710 dollars online or 760 dollars by mail for the N‑400, with biometrics generally included in that fee.
  • Real‑world total: usually 800–1,500 dollars , more if you hire a lawyer or have heavy document/translation needs.
  • Low‑income options: fee reductions to around 380 dollars or complete fee waivers can be available if you qualify.

Always double‑check the latest fees on the official USCIS website right before you apply, because fee rules can change mid‑year.