The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on June 23, 2026, proposing a significant increase in filing fees for Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) and Form N-336 (Request for a Hearing on a Naturalization Decision). If finalized, this rule would represent the largest single increase to naturalization application costs in recent memory — a jump of 75–80% — and would simultaneously eliminate reduced-fee options and fee waivers that currently help lower-income applicants afford citizenship.
The rule is currently in the public comment phase. It is not yet final. However, applicants who are thinking about applying for U.S. citizenship should be aware of the proposed changes and consider filing under current fees before any rule is finalized.
Current vs. Proposed N-400 Naturalization Fees
| Form / Filing Method | Current Fee (2026) | Proposed Fee | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| N-400 — Online | $710 | $1,280 | +$570 (+80%) |
| N-400 — Paper | $760 | $1,330 | +$570 (+75%) |
| N-400 — Reduced Fee (income-based) | $380 | Eliminated | N/A |
| N-400 — Fee Waiver | $0 (eligible) | Eliminated | N/A |
| N-336 — Online (hearing) | ~$800 | $1,425 | ~+78% |
| N-336 — Paper (hearing) | ~$820 | $1,475 | ~+80% |
Note: N-400 fee exemptions for qualifying military members under INA Sections 328 and 329 are maintained and not affected by this proposed rule.
What Is Included in the Proposed Rule (NPRM Docket 2026-12542)
The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on June 23, 2026 (Docket No. 2026-12542), makes three major changes to naturalization fees:
1. Fee Increase for N-400: The standard filing fee would increase by approximately 75–80% regardless of whether applicants file online or by paper. DHS justifies the increase by citing the full cost of processing naturalization applications, including interviews, background checks, and adjudication officer time.
2. Elimination of the Reduced Fee Option: Currently, applicants with household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level can pay a reduced fee of $380. This option would be entirely eliminated under the proposed rule. Every applicant would pay the full fee regardless of income.
3. Elimination of Fee Waivers: Currently, applicants with household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level may request a complete fee waiver. The proposed rule would eliminate this waiver for both Form N-400 and Form N-336. Immigration advocates warn that this change could prevent hundreds of thousands of eligible LPRs from affording the naturalization process.
Who Is Affected and How Many People
USCIS processes approximately 800,000 to 900,000 naturalization applications per year.
A significant portion of these applicants currently benefit from reduced fees or fee waivers. Under the proposed rule:
| Applicant Group | Current Fee | Proposed Fee | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard applicant (online) | $710 | $1,280 | +$570 more |
| Low-income (reduced fee) | $380 | $1,280 | +$900 more (option eliminated) |
| Very low-income (fee waiver) | $0 | $1,280 | $1,280 (waiver eliminated) |
| Military (INA §328/329) | $0 (exempt) | $0 (still exempt) | No change — protected by statute |
Why Is DHS Proposing This Increase?
DHS states that USCIS is largely fee-funded, meaning it must recover the full cost of its operations through filing fees rather than congressional appropriations. According to the proposed rule, the current N-400 fee does not fully cover the cost of processing applications, and the fee increase is needed to eliminate this shortfall.
The Trump administration has also taken the position that naturalization is a privilege that applicants should fully fund, rather than subsidizing lower-income applicants through reduced fees or waivers. This represents a significant policy shift from prior administrations
, which maintained reduced fee and waiver programs specifically to ensure that income was not a barrier to citizenship.
Timeline: When Could This Take Effect?
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 23, 2026 | NPRM published in Federal Register (Docket 2026-12542) |
| August 24, 2026 | Public comment period closes (midnight ET) |
| Late 2026 / Early 2027 (estimated) | DHS reviews comments; publishes Final Rule |
| TBD (30–60 days after Final Rule) | New fees take effect for all N-400 filings |
Key takeaway: Current fees remain in effect while the rule is in the comment and review phase. However, if you are eligible and ready to apply for naturalization, filing before the rule is finalized may save you up to $570 or more.
How to Submit a Public Comment
The public comment period for NPRM Docket 2026-12542 closes on August 24, 2026. You can submit comments electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at regulations.gov using docket number DHS-2026-0050. Comments from naturalization applicants, immigration attorneys, and advocacy organizations are all accepted and considered during rule finalization.
What Should Current LPRs Do?
If you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR) who is eligible for naturalization and have been considering applying, the proposed fee increase gives you a reason to act sooner rather than later. Under current rules, the N-400 online fee is $710 (or as low as $0 with a waiver). Once a final rule is published and takes effect, those options disappear and the cost jumps to $1,280.
General eligibility requirements to file N-400 include: being 18 or older, being a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen), meeting continuous residence and physical presence requirements, demonstrating good moral character, and passing the English and civics tests.
Related Articles
For more information on the naturalization process and recent USCIS fee changes, see:
