One of the most practical questions anyone approaching naturalization eligibility asks is how much the process is going to cost. The answer has two distinct parts: the government filing fee that every applicant pays to USCIS, and the attorney fees that vary depending on the complexity of your case, your background, and how much professional involvement you need throughout the process. Here is a complete breakdown of what to expect.
What is the government filing fee for the N-400?
The current government filing fee for the N-400 Application for Naturalization when filed online is $710. USCIS has been moving toward requiring online filing for most applications, and in the coming months the online filing option is expected to become the only available method for most applicants. The $710 fee applies to that online submission.
However, this fee is likely to increase. The current administration has signaled that naturalization fees may be raised significantly, with figures as high as $1,300 being discussed. If you have a strong citizenship case and are ready to file, filing sooner rather than later under the current $710 fee is a practical consideration that could save you a meaningful amount of money if the increase goes through.
There is a fee waiver program available for applicants who cannot afford the government filing fee. Eligibility for the fee waiver is based on income and financial circumstances. While this guide focuses primarily on the standard fee structure, the waiver option exists and is worth exploring for applicants who qualify.
What attorney fees should you expect and when do they come up?
Attorney fees for naturalization cases vary significantly based on a range of factors including the complexity of your background, the experience level of the attorney, and the geographic market where you are filing. There is no single standard fee, and the work involved in preparing and managing a citizenship case can differ dramatically from one applicant to the next.
There are several distinct stages in the naturalization process where attorney fees may apply, and understanding where those stages are helps you plan for the total cost of the process.
Stage one: Case preparation and filing
The first and most common attorney fee is for preparing and submitting the N-400 application. For straightforward cases with clean backgrounds and simple travel histories, attorney fees will be less. For cases with complex backgrounds, including criminal history that needs to be carefully evaluated and disclosed, extended travel histories that raise continuous residence questions, prior immigration issues, or unusual circumstances that require detailed legal analysis, the preparation fee can run into many thousands. The more complex your background, the more work the preparation stage involves and the higher the corresponding fee.
Stage two: Interview attendance
Many applicants choose to have an attorney present at their naturalization interview. Attorney representation at the interview provides the same benefits it does at any immigration interview including psychological support, a witness to the proceedings, and the ability to intervene appropriately if the officer asks questions that need clarification or that raise legal issues.
The fee for interview attendance varies depending on whether the attorney needs to travel to your interview location or is local to the USCIS field office handling your case. Local attorneys charge less than attorneys who need to travel. How long the interview takes and whether any additional issues come up during the interview also affect the total fee for this stage.
Stage three: Post-interview issues
Not every naturalization case is approved at the interview. A range of post-interview situations can require additional attorney work, each with its own associated costs.
A Notice of Intent to Deny is the most serious post-interview development. It means the officer has reviewed the case and is inclined to deny it but is giving you a final opportunity to provide additional information or arguments. Responding to a Notice of Intent to Deny can range from simple, such as uploading a missing photograph, to extremely complex, such as arguing against a good moral character finding or addressing legal errors in the officer’s analysis. Complex NOID responses can involve significant attorney time and corresponding fees.
Congressional inquiries are another post-interview tool. In cases where processing delays or administrative errors are causing problems, having your congressional representative contact USCIS on your behalf can sometimes help move a case forward or resolve certain types of issues. This service typically involves an additional fee if your attorney is coordinating the request.
Legal action is also sometimes necessary. If USCIS has made a significant error in your case, such as attributing records from another person to you or applying the wrong legal standard, filing an appeal or a lawsuit in federal court or pursuing other legal remedies may be the appropriate path. Litigation is expensive and the attorney fees associated with it reflect the substantial work involved.
Finally, if a naturalization application is denied and you believe the denial was wrong, you have the option to appeal. The appeal process involves its own filing requirements, deadlines, and attorney work.
What is the total cost of becoming a U.S. citizen?
The baseline is the $710 government filing fee. Beyond that, attorney fees can range to several thousand dollars or more for cases that require comprehensive preparation, interview attendance, and post-interview work. Cases that end up in litigation or appeal on top of everything else can involve significantly higher totals.
The most practical advice is to get a clear understanding of your specific situation before engaging an attorney, understand what is included in the quoted fee and what might trigger additional charges, and file sooner rather than later if your case is ready given the potential fee increase on the horizon.
Download our free Ultimate Naturalization Guide for Citizenship at JQKLaw.com/citizenship, join Attorney John Khosravi, Esq. live every Tuesday at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET on YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for a free Q&A, or book a one-on-one consultation at JQKLaw.com/contact.
