Immigrants: You May Want to File for Naturalization before Oct. 20, 2025

 

On September 18, 2025, USCIS published a Federal Register notice to announce the new 2025 Naturalization Civics Test. The purposes include “restoring integrity to the naturalization process,” ensuring applicants demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history, government, and civics in line with legal requirements.

The new test is a modified version of the 2020 test, which was rescinded on February 22, 2021. The old 2008 test has been in effect since then. 

Summary of the major changes between the two tests

Feature	2008 Test (Current)	2025 Test (New)
Number of possible civics questions in the questions bank	100	128 (same as 2020)
How many questions asked in oral civics section	Up to 10 oral questions	20 questions
Passing requirement (number correct)	6 out of 10	12 out of 20
Stopping early (fail or pass before all questions asked)	In 2008: the officer could stop once passing or failing threshold reached.	In 2025: reimplementing 2020 but changing this: officer will stop once applicant has either passed (12 correct) or failed (9 incorrect).
Special consideration (65+ / long-time lawful permanent resident 20+ yrs)	Yes. For those 65 and over with 20+ years as lawful permanent resident. They get a simplified 10-question test from a smaller question bank, fewer questions to pass.	Same under 2025: those 65/20 special consider only 10 questions, with still 6 needed to pass. Based on whether they file before or after date, from 2008 or the 2025 bank.

When will the new test take effect?

For N-400 applications filed before Oct. 20, 2025, the existing 2008 civics test (10 questions; pass with 6) applies. For applications filed on/after Oct. 20, 2025, the new 2025 civics test (20 questions; pass with 12) will apply. 

Exception to the English requirement

The English reading, writing, speaking, and understanding parts of naturalization remain the same.  Unless you qualify for an exception, you must speak, read, and write basic English at the interview. Officers can repeat or rephrase, and you get two chances (initial exam and a re-exam 60–90 days later) if you fail a portion. 

If you meet an English-language exception below, you can use your language to take the test. 

• 50/20: age 50+ with 20+ years as a permanent resident (LPR)

• 55/15: age 55+ with 15+ years as LPR

In either case, you may skip the English test but must take civics.  You may take it in your language with a qualified interpreter who signs Form G-1256 at the interview. 

65/20 special consideration for civics

If you’re 65+ with 20+ years as LPR, officers use a simplified civics set (10 questions from a 20-question list) and you pass with 6 correct. Under the new test, those who file on/after Oct. 20 will get their 10 questions from the 2025 pool; filers before that date get them from the 2008 pool. You can take these in your own language (with an interpreter). 

Medical disability exception (N-648)

If a medically determinable disability prevents you from meeting English and/or civics requirements, your doctor can complete Form N-648 to request for medical exception. It should be noted that regular body ailments do not qualify for exception unless they affect the applicant's mental health or their ability to learn. 

The bottom-line

A larger study bank (128 questions) may mean more content to learn, especially for those whose English is their second or third language. Although there can be legal challenges to the quick implementation of the new test, it would be wise for immigrants to apply for naturalization before Oct. 20, 2025 to avoid the new test.  This is especially true in light of the revised "good moral character" requirements recently announced by the Trump Administration, which add further uncertainties to the naturalization process.

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)