## How Much Does It Cost to Become a U.S. Citizen?

Understanding citizenship fees, plus fee waivers and fee reductions

### U.S. Citizenship Costs

In this guide, we’ll cover who is required to pay, how and where to submit payments, and what to do if you can’t afford the fees. To learn more about [U.S. naturalization](https://rapidvisa.com/naturalization-process/), check out our [detailed guide to U.S. citizenship](https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/naturalization-explained). Not sure if you qualify for citizenship? You can also start by [checking your eligibility](https://www.boundless.com/services/us-citizenship-naturalization/?storefront=true&storefrontProductPage=U.S.%20Citizenship%20(Naturalization)).

### How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen?

The current naturalization fee for a U.S. citizenship application is **$760**.

Some applicants, however, can have this fee [reduced or waived](https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/how-much-does-it-cost-to-apply-for-us-citizenship/#fee-reduction-and-waiver) entirely.

## How Much to Pay

Not everyone must pay the full government fees for naturalization. Those [applying for U.S. citizenship](https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/naturalization-explained) based on their [**military service**](https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/naturalization-explained/#eligibility-for-naturalization) are exempt from the application filing fee. **Everyone else must pay the fee**, _unless_ eligible for an income-based fee waiver or reduction (see [below](https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/how-much-does-it-cost-to-apply-for-us-citizenship/#fee-reduction-and-waiver)).

## Ways to Pay

### FOR APPLICANTS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES

If you submit the naturalization application (Form N-400) _online_ through [myUSCIS](https://myaccount.uscis.gov/), then you may also pay the applicable fee(s) online.

If you submit a [_paper_ Form N-400](https://www.uscis.gov/n-400) through the mail, you may pay the applicable fee(s) with one of the following options ( **do not send cash**):

- Money order
- Personal check
- Cashier’s check
- Credit card (using [Form G-1450](https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/g-1450-explained), officially called the “Authorization for Credit Card Transactions”)

> USCIS offers a $50 discount for online filing. This means you’ll pay $50 less than the typical filing fee if you file forms online, rather than by mail.

### Important things to remember:

- You must choose only _one_ method of payment. In other words, you cannot pay the application filing fee using a money order but pay the biometrics fee using a personal check.
- If you’re submitting _more than one_ U.S. citizenship application (for multiple family members, for example), you must use the same method of payment for all of them.
- All payments must be in _exact_ amounts. Otherwise, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will reject your naturalization application and return your payment, both of which you’ll need to resubmit with the correct payment amount.
- If you’re paying by money order, personal check, or cashier’s check, you must spell out “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” as the payee. Do _not_ abbreviate the Department’s name as “USDHS” or “DHS.”
- If you’re paying by credit card, make sure to complete all three sections of [Form G-1450](https://www.uscis.gov/g-1450), sign the form, and place Form G-1450 _on top_ of Form N-400.

### FOR APPLICANTS LIVING ABROAD:

If paying by money order, personal check, or cashier’s check, you must contact the [U.S. embassy or consulate](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/list-of-posts.html) in your area for specific payment instructions.

## Fee Reduction and Waiver

### What if I can’t afford the fees?

If you can’t afford to pay your naturalization fee(s), you may apply for a **fee reduction** or **waiver**. [Learn more here](https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/uscis-fee-waivers) about qualifying for reduced or waived fees.