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Millions of people have green cards and are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship but don’t. Cost is one of the main reasons. The standard fee is $595 plus a biometrics fee of $85 to take fingerprints and photos as part of the security screening process. Applicants who are 75 or older are exempt from the biometrics fee. So the standard total fee is $680. Certain military applicants are exempt from the fees.

As of 2015, the government is accepting credit card payments for the fees. You can also pay by personal or cashier’s check or money order.

You can apply for a fee waiver for the Form N-400, which is the Application for Naturalization, in three situations:

  1. You or qualified members of your household are currently receiving a means-tested benefit such as Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition for Assistance Program (formerly called food stamps),
  2. Your household income is at or below the 150% poverty level at the time you file.  Click here to check the current poverty levels.
  3. You are experiencing a financial hardship that prevents you from paying the filing fee, including unexpected medical bills or emergencies.  In this case you will need to itemize and explain your income and expenses and situation.

There are many benefits to becoming a U.S. citizen: you will have the full legal rights of all citizens and are not at risk of deportation; you can vote and get a U.S. passport, and you can sponsor certain family members for green cards including a parent, brother, sister, adult married son or daughter, and a fiancé. You can find out much more about the naturalization process at the government’s website, or contact us for legal advice.