What are the proposed 2026 N-400 filing fees?

The proposed rule would set Form N-400 fees at $1,330 for paper filing and $1,280 for online filing. These amounts are proposed, not final, and do not take effect unless DHS issues a final rule.

Are fee waivers and reduced fees changing under the proposal?

Yes. The proposal would eliminate reduced N-400 fees and eliminate fee waivers for both Form N-400 and Form N-336, while maintaining statutory exemptions for qualifying current and former U.S. armed forces service members.

Are the new fees already in effect?

No. The June 2026 notice is a proposed rule. Current fees remain in effect until DHS reviews comments and publishes a final rule with an effective date.

USCIS Proposed N-400 Fee Increase in 2026: What Applicants Should Know

Applicant reviewing naturalization paperwork and current filing costs at home

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed significant fee changes for naturalization forms, including Form N-400 and Form N-336. According to the Federal Register notice "Naturalization Application Fee Adjustments," DHS proposes higher filing fees and the removal of certain fee-relief options. These are proposed changes, not final rules.

What DHS Proposed for N-400 and N-336

The proposed rule includes:

Form N-400 fee of $1,330 for paper filing
Form N-400 fee of $1,280 for online filing
Form N-336 fee of $1,475 for paper filing
Form N-336 fee of $1,425 for online filing

The proposal also states that reduced N-400 fees and fee waivers for N-400 and N-336 would be removed, while military exemptions required by statute would remain.

Current Fees Versus Proposed Fees

Form	Current Fee	Proposed Fee
N-400 (Paper)	$760	$1,330
N-400 (Online)	$710	$1,280
N-336 (Paper)	$830	$1,475
N-336 (Online)	$780	$1,425

Important: Proposal Status, Not Final Rule

This update is currently in notice-and-comment stage. That means:

The proposal is published for public comment
DHS reviews submitted comments
DHS may finalize as-is, revise, or not adopt changes
Only a final rule sets an effective date

Until that final step happens, current filing fees remain in effect.

Practical Timing: Why Filing Sooner Can Matter

If you are already eligible and your application is ready, filing now is a straightforward way to lock in the current lower fees while they are still active.

Public Comment Window and Docket

According to the published notice, comments are accepted through August 24, 2026. The docket listed in reporting tied to the notice is USCIS-2026-0265.

If you are planning your timeline, the practical point is to monitor official DHS/USCIS updates rather than assume proposed numbers are already active.

What Applicants Can Do Right Now

A neutral, practical approach is:

Verify your current eligibility and filing readiness
Confirm current fees at the time you submit
Watch for final-rule announcements from official sources
Keep records organized to avoid filing delays or rework

If your case depends on reduced fees or waivers, this is especially important to track closely.

Final Tip

Fee policy can change between proposal and final implementation. Use official sources to confirm what is active on your filing date.

While you prepare filing documents, Citizenry can help you prepare with realistic mock interviews in both English and Spanish, plus dedicated practice for N-400 application questions and civics interview flow.

About the Author

Dr. Jennifer Brisbane is a researcher and engineer focused on helping applicants navigate the U.S. citizenship and naturalization process. She previously served as an adjunct assistant professor at the City University of New York, where she taught courses and conducted research related to immigration and public policy.

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