United States | DHS proposed rule increases N-400 naturalization filing fees and cuts reduced fees/waivers

The Department of Homeland Security issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on June 23, 2026, to adjust filing fees for Form N‑400 (Application for Naturalization) and Form N‑336 (Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings), including increasing fees, eliminating reduced fee options and ending fee waiver eligibility for these forms.

Key takeaways:

N‑400 and N-336 filing fees would increase by at least 75%. DHS proposes increasing the Form N‑400 fee to $1,330 (a 75% increase for paper filings) and $1,280 (an 80% increase for online filings). Form N-336 fees would increase to $1,475 (a 78% increase for paper filings) and $1,425 (an 83% increase for online filings).

Reduced fees and fee waivers would be eliminated. The proposal would remove the reduced fee and fee waiver options for both Form N‑400 and Form N‑336.

Exceptions for members of armed forces. Current and former service members of the armed forces would be exempt from paying the fees when filing for naturalization.

Public comments open through Aug. 24, 2026. Stakeholders may submit comments on the proposed rule before DHS issues a final rule.

Additional information: According to the NPRM, the purpose of the rule “is to adjust the fees for Form N-400 and Form N-336, including eliminating fee waivers and reduced fees for these forms, so that their fees recover the full cost of their adjudication, according to the beneficiary-pays approach to fee setting.”

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

Copyright © 2026 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.