DHS Proposes Raising Naturalization Filing Fee From $760 to $1,330 to Match Processing Costs

The Department of Homeland Security proposed raising the paper filing fee for Form N-400 from $760 to $1,330 and eliminating the reduced-fee option and fee waivers for naturalization-related forms. The proposal preserves exemptions for current and former service members where required by law. DHS said the changes align fees with adjudication costs.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data showed 169,159 naturalization applications filed in October 2025 ahead of a revised civics test, then 41,478 in November 2025. A revised civics test took effect in October 2025.

Lawful permanent residents now wait nine months or longer for citizenship tests. The Trump administration plans to file at least 250 denaturalization cases in fiscal year 2026. At least 15 denaturalization lawsuits were filed in May 2026 and 18 in the first half of June 2026.

The federal government averaged fewer than one such case per month, or roughly 11 annually, between 1990 and 2017. Nearly 8 million people became naturalized U.S. citizens over the past decade. USCIS reported 818,500 naturalizations in fiscal year 2024.

Routine speeding tickets, delayed tax returns, and IRS payment plans now trigger additional scrutiny or denials. Morgan Bailey, a partner at Mayer Brown and former senior DHS official, said some applicants may rush to file before higher fees take effect while others wait, producing a temporary spike followed by a slowdown.

Jason Finkelman, an immigration attorney, said higher fees would disproportionately affect lower-income applicants.

Eric R. Welsh, a partner at Reeves Immigration Law Group, said fee increases often have a chilling effect because low-income applicants may not know waivers exist. Kevin J. Andrews, an immigration attorney, said uncertainty does more damage than any single rule change.