The Real Cost of U.S. Citizenship Can Run Up to Five Times the Official Filing Fee, With a Proposed 75% Fee Hike Still to Come

USCIS data shows that more than 818,500 people became U.S. citizens in 2024. A new analysis from The Mendoza Law Firm finds that the cost of following them is rising quickly, and that the official filing fee covers only part of it. The study adds up government fees, new surcharges, fast-track premiums, and costs that don’t appear on the fee schedule. It finds that most applicants end up paying several times the published price.

The official price itself may soon go up sharply. Right now, the naturalization application (Form N-400) costs $760 on paper or $710 online, with a reduced fee of $380 for applicants earning 150% to 400% of the federal poverty level. A DHS proposal published in June 2026 would raise the standard fee to $1,330 on paper and $1,280 online, an increase of roughly 75% for the paper form. Other costs have already risen. Since January 1, 2026, USCIS has applied a 2.7% inflation adjustment to many statutory fees. H.R. 1 added a $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” to many nonimmigrant visas, along with new fees that can’t be waived for asylum applications, work authorization, parole, and Temporary Protected Status.

The biggest gap between the listed price and the real one comes from legal help. According to Clio, immigration attorneys charge an average of $349 an hour, with most rates between $196 and $490. A simple citizenship case usually needs 4 to 8 attorney hours, which adds $1,400 to $2,800. Certified translations ($30 to $55 per page), replacement records, passport photos, and notary fees bring the total cost of naturalization to between $2,300 and $4,000. That is three to five times the $710 online filing fee.

Green cards cost even more. A marriage-based green card for a spouse already in the U.S. carries $3,005 in government fees across Forms I 130, I 485, I 765, and I 131. Attorneys often spend 12 to 20 hours preparing these cases, adding $4,200 to $7,000 in legal fees. With the required medical exam, the total typically reaches $7,500 to $10,500, up to 3.5 times the government fee. Employment-based green cards often reach five figures in legal fees alone, before the optional $2,965 premium processing fee. Employers often pay these costs, but they still add to the overall price of immigration.

The medical exam can cost more than applicants expect. It must be done by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon or a State Department-approved panel physician. Because their fees aren’t regulated, exams cost $200 to $500 per person and are rarely covered by insurance. Applicants must show they are protected against 14 vaccine preventable diseases, including hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, rubella, and polio, and some need tuberculosis or syphilis tests. Those who need extra shots or lab work can pay more than $1,000. Since mid 2025, a completed exam can no longer be reused if a case is denied, withdrawn, or refiled. That makes paying for a second exam more likely, especially in family cases that often take more than a year.

Families who apply through a U.S. consulate abroad pay more still. Government fees include $325 per person for Form DS 260, a $120 Affidavit of Support fee per case, and a $220 USCIS Immigrant Fee for each approved applicant. For a family of three, that comes to $1,755 before any travel. With international round trip flights averaging about $1,200 and hotels about $162 a night, attending the consular interview typically adds $1,000 to $1,500. Adding medical, government, and travel costs, a family case processed abroad can run $3,350 to $4,750 on top of the standard filing fees.

Many applicants borrow to cover these costs. A 2022 One Percent for America survey found that 87% of newly naturalized citizens borrowed money to pay for immigration costs. Sixty seven percent used high interest credit cards, payday loans, or personal loans charging up to 22% interest. Some lower cost options now exist. The Mission Asset Fund offers 0% interest loans for USCIS fees, One Percent for America offers 1% loans, and some credit unions offer citizenship loans of up to $4,000 with no credit history required. Still, the study finds that becoming a citizen has become a major financial commitment, and one that could grow significantly more expensive if the proposed fee increase takes effect.