USCIS has changed the fees for the N-400 Application for Naturalization
UPDATE December 2016
Effective December 23, 2016, the cost for filing the N-400, Application for Naturalization, will increase from $595 to $640. The biometrics fee, required for most applicants except those aged 75 or over, remains at $85. The total cost will now be $725, an increase of $45 dollars. A chart of all fee increases can be seen here.
Applications filed and postmarked on or after the December 23rd date, require the new fee. Applicants that submit the application on or after that date without the correct fee, will have the application rejected according to USCIS.
There is, however, a change for low income applicants. Low income applicants, those that fall between 150% and 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (see table below), qualify for a reduced filing fee of $320. As an example, for a household of four, that means an income at or below $48,600. (2nd table: 4 persons…24,300 x 200%=48,600.)
The Catholic Legal Immigration network estimates that this change will apply to about 11% of all applicants.
A fee waiver is still available for lower income applicants receiving a means-tested benefit (review the USCIS eligibility instructions for fee waiver on form I-912)
The graphic below shows the 2016 poverty guidelines.
| 2016 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR ALASKA |
|
|---|---|
| Persons in family/ household | Poverty Guideline |
| 1 | $14,840 |
| 2 | $20,020 |
| 3 | $25,200 |
| 4 | $30,380 |
| 5 | $35,560 |
| 6 | $40,740 |
| 7 | $45,920 |
| 8 | $51,120 |
| For families/ households with more than 8 persons, add $5,200 for each additional person |
| 2016 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE CONTIGUOUS 48 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA |
|
|---|---|
| Persons in family/ household | Poverty Guideline |
| 1 | $11,880 |
| 2 | $16,020 |
| 3 | $20,160 |
| 4 | $24,300 |
| 5 | $28,440 |
| 6 | $32,580 |
| 7 | $36,730 |
| 8 | $40,890 |
| For families/ households with more than 8 persons, add $4,160 for each additional person |