Recent Updates to the Naturalization Process

 

USCIS has recently implemented several changes to the application process for naturalization. These updates introduce a new civics test, revise the Good Moral Character standard, reinstate “neighborhood checks,” and heighten scrutiny of disability-based testing exemptions. Applicants who have recently applied for naturalization, or who plan to apply in the coming months, should review these changes carefully.

New Naturalization Civics Test

USCIS published a revised version of the naturalization civics test, which applies to individuals who filed for naturalization on or after October 20, 2025. This new version is part of an agency-wide effort to modernize the test and ensure consistency in how civics knowledge is evaluated during interviews. Although the subject matter remains similar, the new test expands the number of questions to study and which could be asked during the interview, resulting in a more rigorous assessment.

Applicants Who Filed Before October 20, 2025 – 2008 Civics Test (Old Test)

  • 100 total questions

  • Up to 10 questions asked during the interview

  • Must answer at least 6 correctly to pass

Applicants Who Filed On or After October 20, 2025 – 2025 Civics Test (New Test)

  • 128 total questions

  • Up to 20 questions asked during the interview

  • Must answer at least 12 correctly to pass

Existing exemptions and accommodations for the English and civics requirements (based on an applicant’s age and length of lawful permanent residence) will remain unchanged and apply to both test versions. Further details about these exceptions and accommodations can be found here.

Increased Scrutiny of Disability-Based Testing Exemptions

USCIS has issued updated guidance regarding Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, which allows certain applicants with medical disabilities or impairments to request an exemption from the English and/or civics requirements. USCIS announced that it will intensify efforts to identify unsupported or fraudulent certifications due to longstanding concerns about misuse of the exemption.

Under this updated guidance, medical professionals must now clearly explain how the applicant’s condition prevents them from learning or demonstrating knowledge of English or civics. A diagnosis by itself is not sufficient and USCIS now expects a detailed description of the functional limitations that make compliance with testing requirements impossible.

USCIS also noted that submitting multiple N-648 forms at the same time may raise concerns about the credibility of the claim and could trigger further review.

Officers will closely examine both the medical explanation and the internal consistency of the form to ensure that the exemption is properly justified.

Revised Good Moral Character Standard

Effective August 15, 2025, USCIS has changed how it evaluates Good Moral Character, a required element for naturalization.

Previously, USCIS primarily assessed Good Moral Character by determining whether an applicant had a disqualifying criminal conviction, or other statutory bars to naturalization (such as failure to pay child support, certain immigration violations, or a prior false claim to U.S. citizenship).

Under the revised framework, the absence of a criminal record is no longer enough to establish Good Moral Character. Officers are now expected to evaluate the applicant as a “whole person,” considering a broader range of factors, including:

  • Educational attainment

  • History of lawful and stable employment

  • Length of lawful residence in the U.S.

  • Financial responsibility and tax compliance in the U.S.

  • Sustained community involvement and contributions in the U.S.

  • Family caregiving, responsibilities, and ties in the U.S.

USCIS may also consider non-criminal conduct that reflects poorly on civic responsibility, such as habitual traffic violations or patterns of harassment. USCIS encourages applicants to submit testimonial letters to show rehabilitation and support their eligibility.

Reinstatement of “Neighborhood Checks”

On August 22, 2025, USCIS announced that it will reinstate in-person neighborhood checks, a practice last widely used more than three decades ago. Under the revised policy, officers may interview neighbors, coworkers, employers, or other individuals familiar with the applicant over the past five years to verify an applicant’s eligibility for naturalization.

USCIS stated that decisions to conduct neighborhood checks will be made on a case-by-case basis, rather than automatically. Applicants who submit strong supporting evidence in their application (such as testimonial letters from individuals familiar with their residence, character, and community ties) may reduce the likelihood that USCIS will need to conduct an in-person investigation.

If USCIS determines that additional information is required and the applicant does not provide it, the agency may proceed with a neighborhood check, which could delay adjudication.

As USCIS implements these changes, we expect additional guidance and operational details to follow. We will continue monitoring all updates closely and will keep you informed as new information becomes available.

 
Nadia Yakoob