Becoming a U.S. citizen runs through a single form — Form N-400, Application for Naturalization — and in 2026 that form looks different than it did just a year or two ago. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has adjusted the filing fees, pushed most applicants toward online filing, and rolled out a redesigned civics test for newer applications. Here is where the numbers and rules stand, based on USCIS's current fee schedule and policy guidance.
Naturalization is a consequential, one-way decision, so confirm every figure on the official USCIS website before you file — fees and processing times shift, and your local field office may differ sharply from the national average.
The 2026 N-400 Filing Fee
USCIS charges a lower fee to file online than on paper — a deliberate nudge toward its electronic system. Under the current fee schedule, the base fee is $710 to file online and $760 to file on paper. A reduced fee of $380 is available to applicants whose household income falls within the qualifying range, and eligible military applicants naturalizing through their service pay no fee at all.
| How you file / who you are | N-400 fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online filing | $710 | $50 cheaper than paper; biometrics generally included |
| Paper filing | $760 | Mail-in paper Form N-400 |
| Reduced fee (income-qualified) | $380 | For applicants who meet the income threshold |
| Qualifying military applicants | $0 | Naturalizing based on military service |
Filing online usually wins
Beyond the $50 savings, USCIS reports that online N-400 filings tend to move faster and give applicants a clearer view of case status. Most lawful permanent residents qualify to file online. Keep copies of everything you submit, and make sure your USCIS online account details match the name and number on your green card exactly.
Unlike some earlier fee schedules, the current N-400 fee generally includes biometrics, so most applicants do not pay a separate biometric-services charge. The $710 online and $760 paper amounts reflect USCIS's broader 2024 fee restructuring, which set different prices for electronic and paper filing across many form types. Because USCIS revisits these fees periodically, and a fee-rule change can take effect on short notice, always confirm the amount in effect on the day you file.
How Long the N-400 Takes in 2026
National processing times have eased from the multi-year peaks of the early 2020s. As of early 2026, USCIS data placed the typical N-400 at roughly eight to ten months from filing to decision — but that average hides wide variation. Some field offices completed cases in around 5.5 months, while others ran to 13 months or more, driven by local workload and interview scheduling.
Your timeline also depends on your own file: a clean application with no eligibility questions moves faster than one flagged for extended review, a missed appointment, or a request for additional evidence. For a broader view of agency-wide timing, see our guide to USCIS processing times. Because you must be a permanent resident first, applicants still working toward that step can review our adjustment of status guide.
Those months cover more than paperwork. After filing, most applicants attend a biometrics appointment, then a naturalization interview where an officer reviews the application and administers the English and civics tests. Applicants who pass are typically scheduled for the Oath of Allegiance, which may take place the same day or at a later ceremony depending on the field office. A continuance — for a failed test section, a missing document, or additional review — adds time, which is part of why local timelines vary so widely.
The Redesigned Civics Test
The most substantive rule change is the civics test. For applications filed on or after October 20, 2025, USCIS uses a redesigned version: an officer asks 20 oral questions drawn from a larger question bank, and the applicant must answer at least 12 correctly to pass. That is a step up from the 10-question format many long-time residents studied for, so using current materials matters.
The English-language requirement — reading, writing, and speaking — still applies, with the long-standing age and residency exemptions unchanged (for example, certain older applicants with many years as permanent residents may qualify for reduced requirements). USCIS's official study materials remain the safest source, since third-party question lists can lag behind the current version.
What Applicants Should Do Now
- Confirm your eligibility — generally five years as a permanent resident (three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen), plus the continuous-residence and physical-presence requirements.
- File online when you can to save $50 and simplify status tracking.
- Check whether you qualify for the reduced fee before paying full price; the $380 option can make a real difference.
- Study the current civics materials for the 20-question format if you file on or after October 20, 2025.
- Read the process end to end in our naturalization process guide so the interview and oath stages hold no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the N-400 fee in 2026?
The base N-400 fee is $710 to file online and $760 to file on paper under the current USCIS fee schedule. Income-qualified applicants may pay a reduced fee of $380, and eligible service members naturalizing through the military pay nothing. Confirm the current amount on the USCIS website before filing, since fees change.
How long does naturalization take in 2026?
As of early 2026, USCIS was completing most N-400 applications in roughly eight to ten months, though times vary widely by field office — from about 5.5 months in the fastest locations to 13 months or more in the slowest. Your own timeline depends on interview scheduling and whether your case needs extra review.
What changed about the civics test?
For applications filed on or after October 20, 2025, USCIS uses a redesigned civics test with 20 oral questions instead of 10, and applicants must answer at least 12 correctly to pass. The English reading, writing, and speaking requirement still applies, along with the existing age and residency exemptions. Use USCIS's official study materials to prepare.
Last verified: July 2026 · Reviewed by the USImmigrationLaw.Today editorial team. Naturalization fees, processing times, and test rules change — confirm the current figures with USCIS before you file.