US Citizenship Test Cost: The N-400 Fee and Other Costs
Liberty Lane Prep is an independent study resource. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by USCIS or any government agency.
There’s no separate fee for the citizenship test itself. The English and civics test are part of your N-400 interview, and the cost of that entire process, biometrics included, is the N-400 filing fee: $760 filing by paper or $710 filing online, as of USCIS’s current fee schedule (USCIS, G-1055 Fee Schedule). You don’t pay anything extra on interview day to sit for the test.
What trips people up is that “the test” and “the application” are the same appointment. USCIS doesn’t charge per test attempt, and a second interview after a failed portion doesn’t cost anything additional either. The real cost question is really “what does the N-400 cost,” and the answer has more moving parts than the headline fee alone.
What does the N-400 filing fee actually include?
The $760 paper fee (or $710 online) covers biometric services, which used to be billed separately; USCIS folded that cost into the base fee, so there’s no extra fingerprinting charge on top (USCIS, N-400 Filing Fees Fact Sheet). That single payment covers the entire process through your interview and, if approved, your oath ceremony.
Can you pay less than the full fee?
Yes, if your documented household income is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you can request a reduced fee of $380 in Part 10 of Form N-400, filed on paper only. A full fee waiver (Form I-912) is also currently available for applicants who receive a means-tested public benefit, have income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or can document extreme financial hardship (USCIS, I-912 Request for Fee Waiver).
Is that fee about to change?
Possibly. DHS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on June 23, 2026, that would eliminate both the reduced-fee option and fee waivers for Form N-400, with public comments accepted through August 24, 2026 (Federal Register, Naturalization Application Fee Adjustments). As of this writing that’s a proposal, not a final rule, so current reduced-fee and waiver options still apply. Check the fee calculator right before you file, since USCIS updates it the moment any rule takes effect.
What other costs come with naturalization?
| Cost item | Typical amount | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| N-400 filing fee (paper) | $760 | Yes |
| N-400 filing fee (online) | $710 | Yes |
| Reduced fee (income ≤400% FPG) | $380 | Optional, if eligible |
| Fee waiver (Form I-912) | $0 | Optional, if eligible |
| Passport photos, if requested | $10 to $20 | Sometimes |
| Certified document copies | $0 to $50+ | Case-dependent |
| Immigration attorney (optional) | $500 to $2,000+ | Optional |
| Study materials | $0 (free resources) to free to $50 | Optional |
Do you need to hire a lawyer to keep costs down?
No. Most straightforward N-400 cases don’t require an attorney, and the government’s own free study materials cover the civics and English content at no cost. An attorney becomes worth the added expense mainly when your case involves a criminal record, extended absences, or a prior immigration issue that could complicate the good-moral-character review.
Keeping study costs at zero (or close to it)
USCIS publishes the full question lists, flash cards, and practice tests for free, and you don’t need to buy anything to pass. If you want a faster path to test-ready, the Liberty Lane Prep practice quiz is also free and reads each civics question aloud, which matches the oral format of the real test better than reading silently off a PDF. For a more structured plan, the Liberty Lane Prep Interview Guide is free too, and bundles memory aids with a week-by-week schedule. The $710 to $760 filing fee is the only money this process actually costs you.
FAQ
Do I pay a separate fee if I fail the test and get a second interview? No. A second interview to retake a failed English or civics portion is covered under your original N-400 filing fee.
Does the fee include the oath ceremony? Yes, the oath ceremony is part of the naturalization process covered by your original N-400 fee, with no additional charge.
Can I get my money back if my application is denied? No. USCIS filing fees are generally non-refundable, even if your application is denied or you withdraw it.
Is the reduced fee the same as a fee waiver? No. The reduced fee ($380) still requires payment; a fee waiver (Form I-912) eliminates the fee entirely for applicants who qualify under stricter income or hardship criteria.
Bottom line: budget $710 to $760 for the N-400 itself, confirm whether you qualify for the $380 reduced fee or a full waiver before you file, and treat study materials as the one cost you can bring down to zero.