On September 18, 2025, USCIS published changes to the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test in the Federal Register. Specifically, USCIS will reinstate the 2020 Naturalization Civics Test utilized during the first Trump administration. This heightened civics test was repealed by the Biden administration in favor of the 2008 version of the civics test currently in use.
Here are the key changes:
1. Study guide materials will now include a bank of 128 questions. Previously, applicants studied a bank of 100 questions,
2. During the Civics Exam, 20 questions will be selected at random. Previously, only 10 were chosen.
3. Applicants will need to answer 12 out of the 20 questions administered correctly to pass under the new requirements. Previously, applicants only needed to answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass.
4. The officer will stop administering the civics test once an applicant answers 12 questions correctly and passes the test, or answers 9 questions incorrectly and fails the test.
Implementation of the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test will occur as follows:
1. Applicants who have already filed a naturalization application, or who file an application less than 30 days after the day the notice is officially published in the Federal Register, will take the 2008 Naturalization Civics Test.
2. Applicants who file 30 days or more after the notice is officially published in the Federal Register will take the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test.
3. With respect to applicants age 65 or older and who have resided in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years:
- Applicants who have already filed a naturalization application, or will file a naturalization application before October 18, 2025, will continue to receive a test of 10 questions selected from a bank of 20 questions from the 2008 Naturalization Civics Test. Applicants must answer 6 questions correctly.
- Applicants who file a naturalization application after October 18, 2025 will now be administered a test of 10 questions selected from a bank of 20 questions from the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test. Applicants must answer 6 questions correctly.
Lawful permanent residents who wish to take the 2008 Naturalization Civics Test are encouraged to file their naturalization application before October 18, 2025. All applicants who file their naturalization application on or after October 18, 2025 will be administered the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test.
The immigration attorneys at Ryan Swanson are available to help applicants prepare their naturalization applications.
