The high cost of filing the U.S. citizenship application, Form N-400, may give you second thoughts about applying for naturalization. Fortunately, applicants that demonstrate financial need can qualify to pay discounted rates, or even no filing fee, to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when they apply.
The reduced fee, or partial fee waiver, is available to immigrants who can document an annual household income no more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You can request a full fee waiver if your household income is under 150% (one-and-a-half times) of the poverty guidelines when applying for citizenship with FileRight.com.
Do I Qualify for Reduced Citizenship Application Fees?
The standard filing fee for the N-400 application is $640, but the USCIS offers a 50% fee reduction to immigrants at certain income levels. As a result, qualifying low-income applicants receive a $320 discount on the N-400 application fee. This means to file the naturalization application you pay only the $320 filing fee plus $85 for biometrics.
To qualify for a partial fee waiver, your documented annual household income must be more than one-and-a-half times but not more than two times the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time that you file. These guidelines are released each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS).
See the table below to see if you qualify.
| For the 48 Contiguous States, the District of Columbia, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: |
| Household Size | 150% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* | 200% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* |
| 1 | $19,320 | $25,760 |
| 2 | $26,130 | $34,840 |
| 3 | $32,940 | $43,920 |
| 4 | $39,750 | $53,000 |
| 5 | $46,560 | $62,080 |
| 6 | $53,370 | $71,160 |
| 7 | $60,180 | $80,240 |
| 8 | $66,990 | $89,320 |
| 8+ | Add $6,810 for each additional person | Add $9,080 for each additional person |
| For Alaska: |
| Household Size | 150% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* | 200% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* |
| 1 | $24,135 | $32,180 |
| 2 | $32,655 | $43,540 |
| 3 | $41,175 | $54,900 |
| 4 | $49,695 | $66,260 |
| 5 | $58,215 | $77,620 |
| 6 | $66,735 | $88,980 |
| 7 | $75,255 | $100,340 |
| 8 | $83,775 | $111,700 |
| 8+ | Add $8,520 for each additional person | Add $11,360 for each additional person |
| For Hawaii: |
| Household Size | 150% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* | 200% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* |
| 1 | $22,230 | $29,640 |
| 2 | $30,060 | $40,080 |
| 3 | $37,890 | $50,520 |
| 4 | $45,720 | $60,960 |
| 5 | $53,550 | $71,400 |
| 6 | $61,380 | $81,840 |
| 7 | $69,210 | $92,280 |
| 8 | $77,040 | $102,720 |
| 8+ | Add $7,215 for each additional person | Add $9,620 for each additional person |
*These HHS poverty level statistics are valid from January 13, 2021, until new guidelines go into effect in 2022.
Do I Qualify for a Citizenship Application Fee Waiver?
As previously stated, if your household income is less than 150% of the figures on the table above, you can qualify to have the entire $640 fee waived. This means you would pay $0 in filing fees when you submit your Form N-400.
You are also eligible for a full waiver if you or your spouse receive public assistance. This could include:
- Section 8 housing
- Medicaid
- Food stamps
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
How Do I Request an N-400 Fee Reduction or Waiver?
To request a fee reduction as a low-income citizenship applicant, file Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee. To request a full fee waiver, you must file Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. In both cases, you must file the request along with your N-400 naturalization application.
When requesting a full or partial fee waiver, online filing is not an option. Instead, you must mail in a paper application. Be sure to sign the form and complete all fields to avoid delays.
Additionally, make sure to attach all documentation necessary to prove your financial need. This can include:
- Tax returns
- Paycheck stubs
- An income verification letter from your employer
- An award letter from the agency that provides you or your spouse’s benefits.
Apply for U.S. Citizenship With FileRight.com
With our N-400 application package, applying for citizenship has never been easier. We check your application for errors, automatically filling in the form using the details you provide. Plus, we’ll show you exactly where to sign your printed application, and we even include a prepaid mailing envelope addressed to the USCIS.
Your satisfaction and success are guaranteed, so don’t wait another day to start on the path to naturalization. Take our U.S. Citizenship Qualification Quiz to get started now!
