United States | Reminder: USCIS implementing updated 2025 naturalization civics test starting Oct. 20

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will implement the updated 2025 naturalization civics test starting Oct. 20, 2025.

Key Points:

• Applicants who file Form N-400 before Oct. 20, 2025, will take the 2008 version of the civics test.
• Applicants who file Form N-400 on or after Oct. 20, 2025, will take the 2025 version, which is based on the 2020 test with modifications to its administration.
• USCIS published a Notice of Implementation in the Federal Register (FRN) in alignment with Executive Order 14161, “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.”
• Regarding the implementation of the 2025 naturalization civics test, the FRN states:

“In advance of the implementation of the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test, USCIS will update the Naturalization Test and Study Materials and Resources for Educational Programs that aliens may consult to study for the test. These study guide materials will also include the bank of 128 possible civics test questions, from which 20 test questions will be randomly selected for each individual test, along with the answers to those questions. USCIS will also temporarily retain on its website the study materials for the 2008 Naturalization Civics Test to help aliens applying for naturalization who will be administered the 2008 Naturalization Civics Test based on their application filing date to prepare for the civics test.”

Additional Information: USCIS first announced the implementation of changes to the 2025 naturalization civics test on Sept. 17. More details on test updates can be found here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.