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The Cost of Becoming a U.S. Citizen
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Becoming a citizen of the United States is something millions of people dream about. However, the process is not only long, but it is also costly. When applying for citizenship, there are certain fees one must pay. For those who cannot afford the fees, there are also waivers and fee reductions available. If you are thinking about applying for citizenship, it is important that you speak to a Chicago immigration attorney who can fully explain the process, the costs, and if you are eligible for any waivers or reductions.Â
Citizenship Fees
The total cost for applying for U.S. citizenship is $725. The bulk of that cost is the $640 you must include with your citizenship application. The other $85 is a biometric fee that covers the cost of your fingerprints being taken, a requirement that applies to anyone applying for citizenship.Â
It is important to understand that you are required to pay these fees and that they are non-refundable. That means even if the government denies your application, they will not return your fees to you.Â
Exemptions for Citizenship Fees
Although nearly everyone applying for United States citizenship must pay the above fees, some people are exempt from them. If you are 75 years old or older, you are exempt from the biometrics fee only. If you are applying for citizenship based on your military service, you are exempt from paying both the application fee and the biometrics fee.Â
All other applicants are required to pay both fees unless you are eligible for a waiver or fee reduction. These reductions and waivers are based on your income.Â
Fee Reductions
Those who cannot afford the application fee can apply for a reduction of their fees. To be considered eligible for a reduction of your household income cannot exceed the amounts listed in the Federal Poverty Guidelines. These guidelines take into consideration the number of people in your household and your income. The guidelines are the same for all 48 mainland states, with Hawaii and Alaska having their own separate guidelines.Â
There are two forms you must submit to have the fees reduced. These are the Request for Reduced Fee form and Form N-400. It is important to understand that you must submit the forms together. The USCIS will reject Form I-942 if Form N-400 has already been submitted. If the USCIS does reduce your fees, it is typically by 50%. You must still pay the fingerprinting fee of $85 unless you are over the age of 75.
Waivers
In addition to fee reductions, you can also apply to have the fees waived completely. To do so, you must show that you cannot afford to pay the fees because of one of the following reasons:
- You are receiving government assistance from a program such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
- Your household income is less than what is listed in the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- You cannot afford the fees due to personal circumstances, such as costly medical expenses.
You can apply for a waiver by submitting Form I-912 along with Form N-400. Again, it is important you submit these forms together, as USCIS will reject Form I-912 if you have already filed Form N-400. If USCIS approves your application for a waiver, you will not have to pay anything when applying for citizenship.Â
Call Our Illinois Immigration Attorneys Today
If you are thinking about applying to become a United States citizen, you do not need to do it on your own. Our Chicago immigration attorneys at Kriezelman, Burton & Associates, LLC can help with every step of your application, including informing you of any fee reductions or waivers for which you are eligible. Call us today or contact us online so we can begin reviewing your case.Â
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We worked with Kevin Raica from Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and I can confidently say he went above and beyond for us. Our process was very long and at times overwhelming, but Kevin guided us every step of the way with professionalism, patience, and dedication. He was always available to answer our questions, explained everything clearly, and made sure we understood our options at each stage. What stood out…
A family friend referred me to work with Maya Flores at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC to help me with my U.S. naturalization. Despite the current immigration tension, Maya helped make the process smooth and her familiarity with procedure helped ease my anxiety. She submitted the citizenship application on my behalf and let me know what to expect. I decided to retain her service for the civics interview as well,…
I really want to thank Justin and Kamila; they are the best. I waited almost 20 years and no one could help me get my green card and in 4 months they helped me get my permit, and I got my green card in less then 4 months. They are the best. I will always be grateful for what they did for me, thank you Justin and Kamila!!!!
I am writing this review to express my deepest gratitude for the hard work on our case by our Immigration Attorney, Lauren McClure and her Paralegal, Kamila Lada. My Green Card was approved! I know this wouldn't have been possible without their expertise and dedication. They both were extremely helpful, responsive, and guided us through every step of the way. Lauren took the time to train us for our interview…
I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Burton for his outstanding legal assistance in my immigration case, from my first consultation he heard me patiently demonstrating exceptional professionalism, expertise, and a genuine commitment to my case. Immigration process can be overwhelming and stressful, but he and his team provided clear guidance every step of the way, always answering my questions promptly and reassuring me with their deep expertise. Thanks to their…
I had an outstanding experience working with Brittni Rivera. From our very first consultation, she demonstrated deep expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for my case. Navigating immigration processes can be incredibly stressful, but Brittni made the entire journey much more manageable and transparent. She were always responsive to my questions, provided clear guidance at every step, and never made me feel like just another case. Thanks to her hard work…
Highly recommend this firm. I had the pleasure of working with Lauren McClure and she is absolutely the best. She was very helpful and walked me through every step of the process, she is patient and she got the job done. I am very grateful with her and her team for helping me with the process of my case. Thank you so much.
I have worked with Kevin Raica for my VAWA application. Let me tell you he has been AMAZING. Unlike other lawyers Kevin has always went above and beyond for me. Kevin is not in it for the money he is in it to HELP people and make a difference. He has walked me through the entire process and always answers any questions I have no matter what. This law firm…
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Mr. Burton helped my mother with her case. He was always polite, clear, and always answered my questions in a professional and diligent manner. Our case ran smoothly, and we never ran into any issues. I also want to greatly thank the paralegal that also managed my case, Stephanie Nunez, she was always willing and very helpful with my mother, a genuinely good person. I will forever recommend Justin and…
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