How to Get a Fee Waiver for Form N-400

The filing fee for Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) is $760 for paper applications and $710 for online applications. For applicants who cannot afford this fee, USCIS offers a fee waiver through Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver). Approval is discretionary and not guaranteed, but applicants who qualify have a strong chance of approval if they submit complete documentation.

The Three Grounds for a Fee Waiver

USCIS grants fee waivers on three independent grounds. You only need to qualify under one of them, though providing evidence for multiple grounds strengthens your request.

Ground 1: Income at or Below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

The Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) are published annually by the Department of Health and Human Services. For a fee waiver based on income, your household income must be at or below 150% of the FPG for your household size. For example, for a household of three in 2025, 150% of the FPG is approximately $34,000 per year (verify current thresholds at aspe.hhs.gov before filing). Your household includes everyone who lives with you and shares financial resources.

To document this ground, submit copies of your most recent federal tax return, recent pay stubs (last two to three months), and any other income documentation. If you received no taxable income, explain that in a signed statement.

Ground 2: Receipt of a Means-Tested Federal Benefit

If you currently receive any of the following federal benefits, you qualify on this ground:

• Medicaid (not Medicare)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Federal public housing assistance
• Certain state general assistance programs that are means-tested

To document this ground, attach a copy of your current benefit award letter or a recent statement from the agency that administers the benefit. The letter should show your name, the name of the program, and the benefit amount or status.

Ground 3: Financial Hardship

If your income is above 150% of the FPG and you do not receive means- tested benefits, you may still qualify based on financial hardship. This ground requires a more detailed explanation of why paying the filing fee would cause you genuine financial difficulty. Medical bills, loss of employment, caring for a disabled family member, or other unexpected circumstances may support a hardship claim. Include documentation such as medical bills, termination letters, or other evidence of the hardship.

How to File Form I-912

You cannot file Form I-912 with an online N-400 application. Fee waivers require you to file a paper N-400. Attach Form I-912 with all supporting documentation to your paper N-400 and mail the package to the correct USCIS lockbox (check uscis.gov for the current address). Do not submit a filing fee with your application if you are requesting a waiver.

If Your Waiver Is Denied

If USCIS denies your fee waiver request, they will mail you a notice explaining why. You then have the option to pay the filing fee and resubmit your N-400, or to resubmit Form I-912 with additional evidence addressing the reason for the denial. An incomplete initial waiver request is the most common reason for denial.