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 permits eligible applicants to request a full fee waiver using Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver). USCIS reviews each request and its supporting evidence; this page cannot predict whether a request will be approved.

Military Filings Under INA 328 or 329

The current USCIS fee schedule lists a $0 N-400 filing fee for applicants who meet the military-service requirements of INA 328 or 329. That is a filing-category exemption, not a fee-waiver decision, so Form I-912 is not required for that $0 category. Military naturalization has separate eligibility rules; confirm that the N-400 is being filed under INA 328 or 329 before relying on the exemption.

The Three Grounds for a Fee Waiver

Form I-912 provides three possible bases for requesting a fee waiver: a qualifying means-tested benefit, household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or extreme financial hardship. Document every basis you ask USCIS to consider.

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. Under the 2026 guidelines, 150% for a household of three is $40,980 in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.; Alaska and Hawaii have different amounts. Follow the Form I-912 instructions when deciding who counts in the household and verify the current guideline before filing.

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 Qualifying Means-Tested Benefit

USCIS lists programs such as the following as examples. A benefit must meet the Form I-912 definition, and the evidence must show that you or a qualifying household member currently receives it:

• Medicaid (not Medicare)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

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 a qualifying means-tested benefit, USCIS may still consider extreme financial hardship. This ground requires a detailed explanation of why you cannot pay the fee. 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.

The $380 Reduced Fee Is a Separate Request

An applicant with documented household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may request the $380 reduced N-400 fee in Part 10 of a paper Form N-400. There is no separate Form I-942. A reduced-fee request cannot be filed online. Applicants at or below 150% may instead request a full waiver on Form I-912 if they meet its requirements.

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 may then submit a new N-400 with the required fee, or submit a new fee-waiver request with evidence that addresses the notice. Follow the instructions in the USCIS notice and confirm the current filing address before sending a new package.