Quick Answer: How Much Is the Form N-600 Filing Fee in 2026?
The USCIS filing fee for Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, is $1,335 when filed online and $1,385 when filed on paper. Filing Form N-600 online costs $50 less than filing a paper application.
Some applicants may have a $0 filing fee because they qualify for a USCIS fee exemption or receive an approved fee waiver.
USCIS may still require biometrics as part of processing, but the current fee schedule does not list a separate biometrics fee for Form N-600.
| N-600 filing situation | USCIS fee |
|---|---|
| File Form N-600 online | $1,335 |
| File Form N-600 on paper or by mail | $1,385 |
| Qualifying current or former U.S. armed forces member filing for themselves | $0 |
| Certain qualifying adoption cases | $0 |
| Approved fee waiver | $0 |
| Separate biometrics fee | No separate fee |
The $0 filing categories have specific USCIS requirements. For example, the military exemption does not automatically apply to a service member’s child, and not every adopted child qualifies for the adoption-related exemption. The sections below explain these situations and the N-600 fee-waiver rules separately.
Last verified: September 2026; Source: USCIS Form G-1055, Fee Schedule
For eligibility, required documents, filing steps, and what happens after filing, see our complete Form N-600 guide.
Need Help Preparing Form N-600?
ImmigrationDirect can guide you through the Form N-600 preparation process and help you review your responses before filing. ImmigrationDirect’s service fee is separate from the USCIS filing fee.
When Is the Form N-600 Filing Fee $0?
Some Form N-600 applicants do not have to pay the standard filing fee because USCIS treats their filing as fee-exempt. This is different from a fee waiver, which must be requested and approved based on financial eligibility. The main N-600 fee-exempt situations involve certain military applicants and certain qualifying adoptees.
Military Members and Veterans Filing for Themselves
A current or former member of a U.S. armed forces branch may have a $0 Form N-600 filing fee when filing for themselves to request a Certificate of Citizenship.
This exemption applies to the service member or veteran who is the N-600 applicant. It does not automatically apply to a child simply because their parent is serving or previously served in the U.S. armed forces. A child filing Form N-600 may still need to pay the standard fee unless another exemption or an approved fee waiver applies.
Certain Adopted Children
Certain qualifying adoptees may also have a $0 Form N-600 filing fee. USCIS provides this exemption for applicants who are the subject of a final adoption for immigration purposes and meet the applicable adoption-related requirements.
However, being adopted does not automatically make every N-600 application fee-exempt. The applicant must meet the specific USCIS conditions for the adoption exemption. If those requirements are not met, the standard N-600 filing fee applies unless the applicant qualifies for a separate fee waiver.
Can You Get an N-600 Fee Waiver?
Yes. If you are not already exempt from the Form N-600 filing fee, you may be able to request a fee waiver using Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver.
USCIS may approve a fee waiver if you can show that you meet at least one of these financial conditions:
- You, your spouse, or the head of your household receives a qualifying means-tested benefit.
- Your annual household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) for your household size.
- You are experiencing a financial hardship that prevents you from paying the filing fee.
A fee waiver is not automatic. You must submit the required request and supporting evidence, and USCIS decides whether you qualify.
Requesting a fee waiver can also affect how you file Form N-600. Applicants requesting a fee waiver generally need to file the N-600 application on paper rather than through the standard online filing process.
For the complete eligibility requirements, supporting documents, and filing steps, see our Form I-912 fee waiver guide.
N-600 Fee Waiver vs. Fee Exemption
A fee exemption and a fee waiver both can result in a $0 Form N-600 filing fee, but they work differently.
A fee exemption applies because USCIS has assigned a $0 fee to a qualifying filing category. A fee waiver is different: the normal filing fee applies, but the applicant asks USCIS to waive it based on financial eligibility. USCIS must review and approve the waiver request.
| Fee Exemption | Fee Waiver | |
|---|---|---|
| Why the fee is $0 | Qualifying USCIS filing category | Financial eligibility |
| Separate request needed | Generally no | Yes |
| USCIS approval required | Eligibility for the exemption must apply | Yes |
| Example | Certain military or qualifying adoption cases | Approved Form I-912 request |
Form N-600 does not have a separate income-based reduced-fee option; qualifying applicants either pay the applicable standard fee or $0 through an exemption or approved fee waiver.
How to Pay the N-600 Filing Fee in 2026
How you pay the Form N-600 filing fee depends on whether you file online or on paper.
If you file online, you pay the required fee through the USCIS online filing process when you submit your application.
If you file Form N-600 on paper, USCIS generally requires electronic payment. Current payment options include:
- Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for payment by an eligible credit or debit card.
- Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, for payment directly from a U.S. bank account.
- Form G-1651, Exemption for Paper Fee Payment, only if you qualify for an exception to the electronic-payment requirement.
Beginning October 28, 2025, USCIS generally stopped accepting checks, money orders, and other paper payments unless an approved paper-payment exemption applies.
Because USCIS can change its payment rules, check the current Form N-600 and USCIS fee instructions before submitting your application.
What Happens If You Pay the Wrong N-600 Fee?
If you submit Form N-600 with the wrong filing fee or an invalid payment method, USCIS may reject the application before it is accepted for processing. Payment can also fail if the card or bank authorization cannot be completed.
Before filing, check the current USCIS Form G-1055, Fee Schedule, or the USCIS Fee Calculator to confirm the correct amount and payment method for your filing situation.
Is the N-600 Filing Fee Refundable?
USCIS filing fees are generally nonrefundable after an application has been accepted for processing, even if Form N-600 is later denied.
A rejection is different from a denial. A rejected application is returned before USCIS accepts it for processing, often because of a filing or payment problem. In that situation, fee handling may depend on how the payment was submitted and processed. A denial happens after USCIS accepts and reviews the application, and the filing fee is generally not refunded.
Other Costs When Filing Form N-600
In addition to the USCIS filing fee, you may have other costs depending on your situation, such as:
- Certified translations for documents that are not in English.
- Certified copies or replacement records such as birth, marriage, adoption, or citizenship documents.
- Document retrieval fees charged by government agencies or other record providers.
- Printing and mailing costs if you file Form N-600 on paper.
- Optional legal or application-preparation assistance if you choose to get help.
These costs are separate from the USCIS N-600 filing fee and vary by applicant, so there is no single total cost for filing Form N-600.
FAQs About N-600 Filing Fee
Does a child pay a different Form N-600 filing fee?
No. USCIS does not list a separate lower Form N-600 filing fee simply because the applicant is a child. The standard fee applies based on the filing method unless the application qualifies for a specific fee exemption or an approved fee waiver. Certain qualifying adoption cases may have a $0 filing fee.
Is there a separate fee for the Certificate of Citizenship?
USCIS does not list a separate Certificate of Citizenship issuance fee in addition to the Form N-600 filing fee. The N-600 fee covers the application for a Certificate of Citizenship. Other personal expenses, such as obtaining records or certified translations, are separate from the USCIS filing fee.
Preparing to File Form N-600?
ImmigrationDirect can help you prepare Form N-600 with guided questions, filing instructions, and support for organizing the information needed for your application. The service can also help you review your responses for missing or inconsistent information before filing.
The ImmigrationDirect preparation fee is separate from the USCIS filing fee. ImmigrationDirect is not USCIS, and USCIS makes the final decision on every Form N-600 application. No preparation service can guarantee approval or faster USCIS processing.
