{
  "slug": "naturalization-fee-total",
  "title": "Naturalization / Citizenship Fee Calculator",
  "heading": "US Citizenship Application Fee Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/naturalization-fee-total",
  "summary": "Total the N-400 filing fee, biometrics, and prep costs for naturalization.",
  "description": "The N-400 application for naturalization currently costs $760 filed on paper or $710 online (biometrics is included in that fee as of the 2024 fee rule, no longer billed separately for most applicants). On top of the government fee, budget for a certified copy of your green card if it's lost, a passport-style photo if applying by paper, travel to the biometrics appointment and interview, and time off work for both. Many applicants also pay for a citizenship test prep class or study materials, typically $50-$200, and some low-income filers qualify for a full or partial fee waiver via Form I-912. This calculator adds the required government fee to the optional prep and logistics costs so you can see the realistic total instead of just the headline number.",
  "formula": "Total = N-400 fee + prep materials + travel/time-off cost + misc document costs.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=naturalization-fee-total",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "filingMethod",
      "label": "Filing method",
      "kind": "select",
      "hint": null,
      "default": "online",
      "options": [
        {
          "value": "online",
          "label": "Online ($710)"
        },
        {
          "value": "paper",
          "label": "Paper ($760)"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "prep",
      "label": "Test prep materials / classes",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 80,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "travel",
      "label": "Travel cost to appointments (round trips)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 40,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "lostDocs",
      "label": "Replacement documents (if needed)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 0,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "wageLoss",
      "label": "Lost wages from time off",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 150,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "total",
      "label": "Total realistic cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "filingFee",
      "label": "N-400 government fee",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "extras",
      "label": "Extras beyond the government fee",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Filing method: Online ($710)",
      "Test prep materials / classes: 80 $",
      "Travel cost to appointments (round trips): 40 $",
      "Replacement documents (if needed): 0 $",
      "Lost wages from time off: 150 $"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Total realistic cost: $980",
      "N-400 government fee: $710",
      "Extras beyond the government fee: $270"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter filing method.",
      "Enter test prep materials / classes ($).",
      "Enter travel cost to appointments (round trips) ($).",
      "Enter replacement documents (if needed) ($).",
      "Enter lost wages from time off ($).",
      "Read your total realistic cost on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "filingMethod": "online",
        "prep": 50,
        "travel": 25,
        "lostDocs": 0,
        "wageLoss": 90
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "filingMethod": "online",
        "prep": 80,
        "travel": 40,
        "lostDocs": 0,
        "wageLoss": 150
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "filingMethod": "online",
        "prep": 130,
        "travel": 65,
        "lostDocs": 0,
        "wageLoss": 240
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Is there still a separate biometrics fee?",
      "a": "No. Since the April 2024 fee rule, biometrics services are included in the N-400 fee for most applicants, so you no longer pay $85 separately. Some categories, like applicants over 75, are exempt from biometrics entirely."
    },
    {
      "q": "Who qualifies for a fee waiver?",
      "a": "Applicants with household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guideline, or receiving a means-tested public benefit, or facing financial hardship can file Form I-912. Approval isn't automatic, so file it with clear documentation of income and benefits."
    },
    {
      "q": "Do I need a lawyer to naturalize?",
      "a": "Most straightforward cases don't need one. Get legal help if you have any arrests, extended time abroad that could break continuous residence, unpaid taxes, or a prior immigration violation, since those issues can turn a routine application into a denial or removal referral."
    },
    {
      "q": "How long does N-400 processing take?",
      "a": "Current average processing time is roughly 5-10 months depending on field office, though it varies widely by location. Check your specific field office's processing time on the USCIS case processing times page rather than relying on a national average."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/green-card-sponsorship-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/citizenship-income-requirement",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/dual-citizenship-renunciation-cost"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Naturalization / Citizenship Fee Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/naturalization-fee-total)"
}