How to file the N-400 and what it costs

By the Abuelito Citizenship team · Reviewed October 12, 2026 against official USCIS pages

Online or on paper, the fee, the discount, fingerprints and how to check your case.

Online or on paper

Online: first you create your free USCIS online account and you send the N-400 from there.

On paper: you mail it to the address on uscis.gov. Then a letter comes so you can create your account and follow your case.

If you ask for a reduced fee or a fee waiver, it's sent on paper.

Today's N-400 is the January 20, 2025 edition. Always download it from uscis.gov/n-400, never from another site.

• Open uscis.gov/n-400 ↗

What it costs (Oct 12, 2026)

According to the G-1055 fee schedule of Oct 7, 2026: $710 online or $760 on paper.

USCIS proposed raising it ($1,280 online) and ending the reduced fee and the fee waiver, but on Oct 12, 2026 it was still only a proposal, not a rule.

Fees change: before you pay, confirm it at uscis.gov/g-1055.

• See the fee schedule (G-1055) ↗

Reduced fee or no fee

Reduced fee: $380, if your household income is not more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, with documents that show it.

Fee waiver (Form I-912): the N-400 can request one. USCIS considers it if you receive a means-tested benefit, if your household income is at or below 150% of the poverty guidelines, or if you have an extreme financial hardship.

Don't ask for both at once. Rules and amounts change: confirm it at uscis.gov.

• Form I-912 (uscis.gov) ↗

The fingerprint appointment (biometrics)

After USCIS receives your N-400, it mails you a letter (I-797C) with the appointment: fingerprints, photo and signature.

Bring the letter (all of them, if you got several) and a photo ID: your green card, passport or driver's license.

That photo may be used on your citizenship certificate: dress nicely.

To reschedule: in your USCIS account, at least 12 hours before and with a good reason. If you miss it without rescheduling, USCIS may consider your application abandoned.

How to check your case

Your receipt has a 13-character number: 3 letters and 10 numbers (for example, IOE…). Type it without dashes.

In your USCIS account you see the status, notices and letters. There's also the «Case Status Online» page on uscis.gov.

The N-400 receipt extends your green card 2 years past its expiration date: carry it with the card.

Be careful with anyone who asks for money to «speed up» your case: only USCIS decides that.

• Case status (uscis.gov) ↗

This is an educational course, not legal advice. We don't decide whether you qualify. Confirm it at uscis.gov or with an attorney or accredited representative.

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