Your Path to Affordable U.S. Citizenship Begins Here
Embarking on the journey toward U.S. citizenship is a defining moment. Yet, for many, the cost of the application can feel overwhelming, putting your future on hold. The good news is that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers a reduced naturalization filing fee for eligible applicants, ensuring financial challenges don’t delay your dream. Learn more about citizenship costs and how to manage them.
This crucial program has been expanded to help even more low- and moderate-income residents. Today, the process is simpler than ever: you request the reduced fee directly through Part 10 of the Form N-400 application.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Who qualifies for the reduced fee under the latest rules (up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines).
- The exact reduced fee amount and the savings it provides.
- The critical difference between a Reduced Fee and a Fee Waiver.
- Which documents you must provide to prove your eligibility.
You’ve already taken the crucial first step by seeking information. Now, let’s make sure cost never stands between you and the oath of citizenship.
Reach out today—let us help you put your American dream within reach.
The USCIS Reduced Fee: The New Process (Now in Form N-400, Part 10)
The USCIS reduced fee is a discounted filing fee option available for the Application for Naturalization (Form N-400). This option allows eligible individuals to pay half the price of the standard application fee.
| N-400 Filing Method | Full Fee | Reduced Fee (50%) | Savings |
| Paper Filing (Required for Reduced Fee) | $760 | $380 | $380 |
| Online Filing (Not available for Reduced Fee) | $710 | N/A | N/A |
What happened to Form I-942?
USCIS officially incorporated the reduced fee request into the N-400 application itself. This means Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee, is now obsolete. All applicants who qualify for the reduced fee must complete and file their request in Part 10 of the paper Form N-400.
Reduced Fee Eligibility Requirements & Income Limits
To qualify for the reduced fee, your documented annual household income must fall within a specific range established by the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).
The Eligibility Range: 150% to 400% FPG
You qualify for the reduced fee if your household income is:
- Greater than 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, AND
- Not more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
The table below shows the maximum income thresholds for the reduced fee program, based on the 2025 FPG for the 48 Contiguous States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
| Household Size | Max Income for Full Fee Waiver (Up to 150% FPG) | Income Range for Reduced Fee (150% to 400% FPG) |
| 1 | $23,475 | $23,476 – $62,600 |
| 2 | $31,725 | $31,726 – $84,600 |
| 3 | $39,975 | $39,976 – $106,600 |
| 4 | $48,225 | $48,226 – $128,600 |
| 5 | $56,475 | $56,476 – $150,600 |
| 6 | $64,725 | $64,726 – $172,600 |
| 8 | $81,225 | $81,226 – $216,600 |
| For each extra person, add: | $8,250 | $22,000 |
Difference Between Reduced Fee and Fee Waiver
It is critical to distinguish between the Reduced Fee and the Fee Waiver options, as you can only apply for one. Check the Immigration Fee Waiver guide for the complete forms applicable.
| Aspect | Reduced Fee | Fee Waiver (Form I-912) |
| Purpose | Request a reduction in the filing fee. | Request a complete waiver of the entire filing fee. |
| Eligibility Income | Household income is greater than 150% and less than 400% of FPG. | Household income is at or below 150% of FPG, or based on receiving a means-tested benefit, or facing financial hardship. |
| Fee Payment | Pay the reduced fee of $380. | Pay $0 if the fee waiver is approved. |
| Application Form | Complete and file Part 10 of the paper Form N-400. | Submit Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, with the paper Form N-400. |
IMPORTANT: If your income is at or below 150% of the FPG, you should file for a Fee Waiver (Form I-912), not the reduced fee. Do not file both requests.
How to Request the Reduced Fee
The process for requesting the reduced fee is straightforward, provided you meet the financial eligibility criteria and follow the USCIS filing requirements precisely.
MANDATORY FILING INSTRUCTIONS
If you are requesting the reduced N-400 fee, you MUST file a paper application by mail. USCIS does not allow online filing when submitting a fee waiver or reduced fee request.
The Filing Process
- Select the Reduced Fee Option: In Part 10 of the paper Form N-400, select the box indicating you are requesting a reduced fee.
- Provide Household Information: Complete the rest of Part 10, detailing your household size and income.
- Include Payment: Submit a payment of $380 with your application.
- Gather Documentation: Collect all required supporting documents (see checklist below) to prove your household income is between 150% and 400% of the FPG.
- Mail the Complete Package: Mail the signed N-400, payment, and supporting documents to the correct USCIS lockbox address.
Required Supporting Documents Checklist
To prevent your application from being rejected or delayed, you must include clear and sufficient documentation to prove your household income is within the required 150% to 400% FPG range.
You must submit copies of the following documents:
1. Proof of Annual Household Income
- Federal Tax Transcript or Tax Return: A copy of your most recently filed Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1040) or a Tax Transcript from the IRS.
- Income Documentation for the Last 12 Months: This can include:
- Pay stubs or wage statements.
- W-2 forms, 1099 forms (if self-employed or contract work).
- Social Security or other retirement benefit statements.
- Employer letters confirming current annual salary.
2. Proof of Household Size
- Federal Tax Return: The front page of your tax return, showing the number of dependents claimed.
- Proof of Relationship: Documents such as a marriage certificate (for a spouse) or birth certificates (for children) if they are not listed on your tax return.
3. Other Required Documents
- Full English Translations: If any document is in a foreign language, you must include the original document and a complete, certified English translation.
If you fail to provide enough information or the correct documentation, USCIS will likely reject your request and require you to pay the full fee. Refer to the complete N-400 document checklist for reference.
Who Counts Toward Your Household Size and Income?
When applying for a reduced fee, it’s important to know exactly who to include in your household size and income calculations. Understanding this helps ensure your eligibility is evaluated accurately.
You should count as part of your household:
- Yourself
- The head of your household if that person is someone other than you (for children under 21 applying on their own, provide details of the primary custodial parent)
- Your spouse, but only if they live with you. If you’re separated or your spouse lives elsewhere, do not include them
- Family members who live with you, including:
- Your unmarried children or legal wards under 21 years of age
- Your unmarried children or legal wards aged 21 to 23 who are full-time students and live with you when not at school
- Your unmarried children or legal wards for whom you are the legal guardian due to physical, developmental, or mental disabilities
- Your parents living with you
- Any other dependents listed on your federal tax return—or on your spouse’s (if living together)—or the head of household’s tax return
Remember, the total household income includes all income earned or received by these members. Accurately including all household members and their income ensures the most precise assessment of your eligibility for a fee reduction.
Counting Household Income: Relatives, Roommates, and Child Support
Understanding whose income counts toward your household total is essential for accurately determining your eligibility for a reduced fee.
- Income of relatives or roommates who live with you but are not considered household members should not be included in your household income.
- Only financial contributions they provide directly to support your household (e.g., paying mortgage or bills) should be included as part of your household income. Example: An uncle paying $1,500 toward your mortgage counts as household income, but a roommate paying their own expenses does not.
- For child support, include only the actual amount you receive, not the full court-ordered amount.
- Provide explanations and documentation (e.g., bank statements, checks, court orders) if actual support differs from the court order.
This helps ensure your reported household income reflects true financial support relevant to your household.
How Marital Separation and an Affidavit of Support Affect Reduced Fee Eligibility
Marital Separation
If you are applying for a reduced fee and exclude your spouse’s income due to separation, you must provide a signed statement or other documentation verifying that your spouse does not live with you and provides no financial support.
Acceptable proof includes a court order confirming legal separation, a notarized property settlement or financial support agreement, or separate mortgage, lease, or utility bills showing separate residences. Please note, any monthly support payments you receive from your spouse must still be included in your total household income.
Affidavit of Support
Regarding an Affidavit of Support (Forms I-134 or I-864) filed on your behalf, USCIS will only consider the sponsor’s income or assets in evaluating your eligibility for a reduced fee if the sponsor currently lives in your household. If the sponsor does not live with you, their income will generally not affect your reduced fee eligibility.
Common Rejected Reasons of Reduced Fee Request
- Household Income: To qualify, your documented annual household income must be greater than 150% but not more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time of filing.
- Household Size: Eligibility depends on your household size, which determines the income thresholds.
- Proof Required: You must provide documentation such as recent tax returns, pay stubs, or other evidence of income for yourself and household members.
- Filing Method: Reduced fee requests must be filed on paper using the revised Form N-400; no online filing is allowed for reduced fee or fee waiver requests.
- Marital Separation: If separated, you may exclude your spouse’s income but must provide proof you live apart and receive no support. Any received support still counts as income.
- Affidavit of Support: Not including the sponsor’s income, you might think it only counts if they live in your household and provide financial support.
- No Simultaneous Requests: You cannot apply for both a reduced fee and a fee waiver on the same application.
- Documents: Evidence submitted with your reduced fee request is not in English and lacks a certified English translation.
- Other Factors: Receipt of means-tested benefits or extreme financial hardship may qualify for a full fee waiver instead of a reduced fee.
This framework ensures USCIS fairly determines who is eligible for the reduced naturalization fee of $380 versus the full fee. Review other common reasons for N-400 form rejection in our detailed guide.
Reduced Fee FAQs
1. If I request the reduced fee, must I file my N-400 application online or by mail?
You must file by mail using the paper version of Form N-400. USCIS does not allow applicants requesting a reduced fee (or a fee waiver) to file their application online through the myUSCIS account system. Your paper filing package must include the completed Part 10 section and the required supporting documentation.
2. What happens if my income goes up after I file, but before USCIS makes a decision?
The crucial factor is your household income at the time you sign and file your Form N-400. If your income increases after filing but stays above 150% of the FPG, your eligibility for the reduced fee should remain valid. If your income dropped below 150% after filing, you should consult with an attorney, as you might have been eligible for a fee waiver instead.
3. What should I do if USCIS rejects my reduced fee request but accepts my N-400 application?
If USCIS accepts your N-400 application but denies your reduced fee request (meaning they believe you did not meet the 150%–400% FPG criteria), they will usually send you a notice (like a Form I-797C, Notice of Action) stating the required fee balance you must pay. You must then submit the remaining balance promptly to avoid delays or potential rejection of your entire application.
4. Are the Federal Poverty Guidelines the same every year?
No. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updates the Federal Poverty Guidelines annually (typically early in the year) to account for the cost of living. You must use the FPG amounts that are current on the date you sign and file your N-400 to determine your eligibility.
5. Can I apply for a reduced fee if I receive SNAP (Food Stamps)?
You cannot apply for both the reduced fee and a fee waiver simultaneously. If you receive a means-tested benefit like SNAP, you may qualify for a full Fee Waiver (Form I-912) because your income is likely at or below 150% of the FPG. You should apply for the Fee Waiver ($0 fee) instead of the Reduced Fee ($380).
Moving Forward Together on Your Path to Citizenship
Your journey to U.S. citizenship is a significant milestone—both exciting and sometimes challenging. We understand that the cost of filing fees can be a burden, which is why we are committed to helping you navigate the reduced fee process with clarity and confidence. By providing you with the right information and support, we empower you to take this important step without unnecessary financial stress.
Trust us to guide you every step of the way with expert immigration lawyer consultation. Because your dreams of becoming a U.S. citizen matter, we’re here to make that path more affordable and accessible. Start your application today with confidence—check your eligibility for the reduced fee and take the first step toward affordable U.S. citizenship. Need help? Contact us now for personalized guidance and support.
