Is there a biometrics fee?
Answer
Yes, usually $85
Explanation
Under the USCIS fee schedule that took effect April 1, 2024, the biometric services fee is no longer charged separately for most Form N-400 applicants. Instead, the cost of biometric services is included within the unified filing fee of $710 for online filing or $760 for paper filing. Before April 1, 2024, applicants paid an $85 biometric services fee in addition to the $640 form fee, for a total of $725.
Some categories of applicants are exempt from the biometric services fee even under the prior structure, including applicants 75 years of age or older, U.S. military service members filing under sections 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and applicants with an approved fee waiver (Form I-912).
The biometric services fee covered the cost of collecting the applicant's fingerprints, photograph, and signature at a USCIS Application Support Center, and the FBI background check that USCIS runs against those fingerprints. After filing Form N-400, the applicant receives a biometrics appointment notice (Form I-797C, Notice of Action) directing them to a specific Application Support Center on a specific date, typically four to eight weeks after filing. At the appointment, USCIS staff scan all ten fingerprints electronically, take a digital photograph, and capture a digital signature; the entire visit takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
The fingerprints are sent to the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division for a Federal Bureau of Investigation Name and Fingerprint Check, which compares the applicant's fingerprints against databases including the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). USCIS uses the results, along with name checks against multiple federal databases, to confirm the applicant's identity, verify good moral character, and identify any criminal history that might affect eligibility.
If an applicant cannot attend their scheduled biometrics appointment, they can request rescheduling through their USCIS online account or by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283. Failure to appear without rescheduling can result in administrative closure of the application.
Why this matters for your test
Understanding the biometrics fee structure helps applicants plan correctly for current costs and avoid filing rejections. Under the 2024 rule, the previous separate $85 fee is now folded into the form fee for most applicants, so applicants should always check the current schedule on uscis. gov before paying.
Source: USCIS Application Guide (2025)
