US Citizenship (N-400) Cost & Physical Presence Calculator – Naturalization Fee (2026)
USCIS Form N-400 Application for Naturalization Rules
Acquiring United States citizenship via naturalization requires meeting statutory residency tests alongside paying updated federal administrative tariffs. The official USCIS fee framework provides distinct price points across filing channels:
2026 N-400 Government Fee Structure
- Online Filing Discount: Submitting Form N-400 digitally via the myUSCIS portal costs $710 USD, saving $50 compared to paper submissions.
- Paper Mail Filing Fee: Standard postal mail submissions are established at $760 USD.
- Reduced Fee Qualification ($380): Applicants with household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify for a 50% reduced fee of $380, available on both paper and digital applications.
- Biometric Services Bundling: Biometric fingerprint fees are fully integrated into the base fee—no separate $85 fee is charged.
Physical Presence & Continuous Residence Requirements
Applicants must satisfy two distinct presence benchmarks:
- Physical Presence Test: Under the standard 5-year rule, applicants must have been physically inside the US for at least 30 months (913 days) out of the preceding 60 months. Under the 3-year marriage rule, the requirement is 18 months (548 days).
- Continuous Residence Rule: An unbroken absence of 180 days to 364 days creates a legal presumption of disrupting continuous residence. An absence of 365 consecutive days or more automatically breaks continuous residence.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file my N-400 online?
Yes. Filing online via myUSCIS is faster, gives you an immediate receipt number, and provides a $50 government filing fee discount.
Does child citizenship (Form N-600) cost the same?
No. Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600) for children who acquired citizenship automatically via US citizen parents costs $1,385 online ($1,435 paper).
What happens if my trip exceeded 180 days?
Trips between 180 and 365 days create a presumption that you broke continuous residence. You must submit evidence that you maintained ties (employment, housing, tax filings in the US).
Transfer USD for consular fees, SEVIS payments, and overseas logistics at the mid-market exchange rate with minimal markup.