Fee Waiver for US Citizenship: Who Qualifies and How to Ask

Written by the Ellis Porter content team. This article has not been reviewed by an attorney. It is general information, not legal advice.

In plain English: USCIS charges a filing fee for the N-400 naturalization application, but eligible applicants can ask USCIS to waive it by filing a fee waiver request. Qualification is generally based on receiving a means-tested benefit, having household income below a set level, or showing financial hardship. The waiver covers the naturalization filing fee itself, not unrelated costs like renouncing citizenship or replacing other documents, which have their own separate fees. Because fees and the exact income levels are set by the government and change, confirm the current figures on the official USCIS pages before you file.

If the filing fee is what’s standing between you and citizenship

If you are ready to naturalize but the cost feels out of reach, you are not alone, and there may be a way through. USCIS charges a filing fee for the Form N-400 naturalization application, but eligible applicants can ask the government to waive that fee by submitting a fee waiver request with the application. The waiver exists so that cost is not a barrier to citizenship for lower-income permanent residents who otherwise qualify. This page explains who qualifies, how to ask, and what the waiver does and does not cover.

Because fees and the exact income levels are set by the government and change, we point you to the current USCIS filing fees schedule for figures rather than quoting numbers that go stale.

Who qualifies

There are generally three routes to a fee waiver, and meeting any one can be enough:

• A means-tested benefit. You are currently receiving a public benefit that is granted based on income, such as certain assistance programs.
• Income below a set level. Your household income is at or below a set percentage of the federal poverty guidelines.
• Financial hardship. You have unusual expenses, such as medical or emergency costs, that justify a waiver even if income alone would not.

You only need to fit one of these to be considered. The exact standards and income levels are set by USCIS and can change, so confirm the current criteria before you file.

What the waiver covers, and what it does not

A citizenship fee waiver applies to the naturalization filing fee itself. It does not stretch to unrelated costs, which are separate charges with their own rules:

Some applicants who do not qualify for a full waiver may qualify for a reduced fee instead, so it is worth checking both.

How to request it

You submit the USCIS fee waiver request together with your N-400 and document the basis you are claiming: proof of a means-tested benefit, income records, or evidence of hardship. USCIS reviews the request and either grants or denies it. If it is denied, you generally must pay the fee to move forward, which can cost you time. A well-documented request the first time is the way to avoid that delay, and an attorney or accredited representative can help you assemble it.

Related fees people confuse with this

Two other citizenship-related fees come up often and are not part of this waiver:

• The fee to renounce citizenship is a State Department charge, and renunciation can carry serious tax consequences. See our renunciation fee guide.
• The fee to replace a naturalization certificate is a separate USCIS filing; a passport is often the faster everyday proof of citizenship.

For the full cost picture of naturalizing, see how much it costs to become a US citizen. For the steps themselves, see the naturalization process.

How an Ellis Porter attorney helps

We know that asking for help with a fee can feel like one more thing to worry about, and we want to make it simpler. The fee waiver is valuable but detail-sensitive: a thin or mismatched request can be denied and set your case back. A licensed Ellis Porter attorney can confirm whether you qualify, help you document the right basis, and make sure the waiver and the N-400 are filed cleanly together so cost does not stall your path to citizenship. If your case has other complications, they can flag those before you file as well.

This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. The right path and timeline depend on the specific facts of your case. Consult a licensed immigration attorney.

Frequently asked questions

Who qualifies for a US citizenship fee waiver?

Fee waivers are generally available to applicants who are receiving a means-tested public benefit, whose household income is at or below a set percentage of the federal poverty guidelines, or who can show financial hardship such as unusual medical or emergency expenses. You request the waiver by submitting the USCIS fee waiver form with your N-400 and documenting your situation. The exact standards are set by USCIS and can change, so confirm the current criteria before filing.

How much is the fee to apply for US citizenship?

USCIS sets the filing fee for Form N-400, and that amount is updated from time to time, so the reliable source is the current USCIS fee schedule rather than an older article. There may be different amounts depending on how you file and your circumstances, and some applicants qualify for a reduced fee or a full waiver. Always confirm the figure that applies to your situation on the official USCIS filing fees page before you send payment.

Does the fee waiver cover everything?

No. A citizenship fee waiver applies to the naturalization filing fee itself. It does not cover unrelated costs such as the State Department fee to renounce citizenship, the fee to replace a naturalization certificate, or a passport, each of which is a separate charge with its own rules. Reduced-fee options also exist for some applicants who do not qualify for a full waiver. Confirm what a given fee covers on the relevant government page.

How do I request a fee waiver?

You submit the USCIS fee waiver request together with your Form N-400 and include documentation of the basis you are claiming, such as proof of a means-tested benefit, income records, or evidence of hardship. USCIS reviews the request and either grants or denies it; if denied, you generally must pay the fee to proceed. Filing a well-documented request the first time avoids delay. An attorney or accredited representative can help you assemble it.

How much is the fee to renounce US citizenship?

Renouncing US citizenship carries a separate State Department administrative fee that is unrelated to the naturalization fee waiver, and that amount has changed over time. Beyond the fee, renunciation can trigger significant tax consequences that often matter more than the fee itself. Confirm the current renunciation fee with the State Department and see our renunciation guide for the process. This is a very different transaction from applying for citizenship.

Is there a fee to replace a naturalization certificate?

Yes. Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged Certificate of Naturalization is a separate USCIS filing with its own fee, distinct from the naturalization application and its fee waiver. Because a passport is often faster and cheaper to obtain as everyday proof of citizenship, some people choose that route instead. Confirm the current replacement form, fee, and any fee-reduction options on the official USCIS pages before filing.