How Much Does It Cost to Become a US Citizen?

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

Part of Ellis Porter’s guide to U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

What you will actually pay, in plain terms

If you are ready to naturalize, the cost is probably one of the first things on your mind, and it is easier to plan for than it looks. Here is how the money actually breaks down, without the guesswork.

The cost of becoming a US citizen is best understood as a few separate buckets rather than one number:

• The government filing fee for Form N-400;
• Optional attorney fees if you use a lawyer;
• Small costs like photos or obtaining documents; and
• Later, an optional passport as everyday proof of citizenship.

Because USCIS fees are set by regulation and change periodically, we point you to the current USCIS filing fees schedule for exact figures rather than quoting a number that would be wrong within a year.

The government filing fee

The main cost is the N-400 filing fee paid to USCIS. In current practice this generally covers the background-check work rather than a separate biometrics charge, but the details are set by USCIS and can change, so confirm exactly what the current fee includes before you pay. This is the one cost almost everyone has, unless a fee waiver or reduced fee applies.

Ways to reduce or avoid the fee

Cost does not have to be a barrier. Two options exist for those who qualify:

You request these by submitting the appropriate form with your N-400 and documenting your situation. For the full details, see our fee waiver for US citizenship guide. Members of the military who naturalize under the special provisions generally do not pay the standard filing fee.

Do you need a lawyer?

You are not required to use a lawyer to naturalize, and many people with straightforward cases file on their own. Attorney fees are separate from the government fee and vary by firm and complexity. Where legal help earns its cost is in cases with complications: long trips abroad that raise continuous-residence questions, criminal or tax history, or a question about how you got the green card. In those situations a review before filing can prevent a denial, which is expensive in both time and money.

We are not going to invent a single figure here, because a responsible quote depends on your specific situation. What we can say is that the biggest driver of legal cost is how much complication your case carries.

Small and later costs

A few minor costs round out the picture:

• Photos and documents. Passport-style photos and copies of records, where needed.
• A US passport. Optional but common after your oath; it has its own State Department fee and is the handiest everyday proof of citizenship.
• Replacing a certificate. If you later lose your Certificate of Naturalization, replacing it is a separate USCIS filing with its own fee.

None of these are part of the naturalization application cost itself.

Putting the budget together

For most applicants, the government fee is the whole story, and a fee waiver can bring it to zero if you qualify. Add attorney fees only if your case needs them, and budget a passport for after your oath. For the steps behind all this, see the naturalization process, and for the wait, see how long it takes to get US citizenship.

How an Ellis Porter attorney helps

The most useful thing you can do is understand which buckets actually apply to you before you file. A licensed Ellis Porter attorney can confirm whether you qualify for a fee waiver, whether your case is simple enough to file without counsel, and whether any complication makes a review worthwhile first. If you want to understand the paths themselves, see how to gain US citizenship.

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.

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