Beginning October 20, 2025, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will implement the 2025 Civics Test, announced on September 17, 2025. The agency has stated that the updated test aims to ensure applicants demonstrate a deeper understanding of US history, government, and civic responsibilities, with the goal of naturalizing individuals who are “fully assimilated and will contribute to America’s greatness.” Applicants who file Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, will be required to take the new test. Those who filed, or have pending applications, before that date will continue to take the 2008 Civics Test.
The 2025 Civics Test expands the number of potential questions from 100 to 128. During the interview, applicants will now be asked 20 questions instead of 10 and must answer at least 12 correctly to pass. An applicant who answers 9 questions incorrectly will fail the civics portion. Applicants who are at least 65 years old and have been lawful permanent residents for 20 years or more remain eligible for the 65/20 rule, which allows them to take a simplified version of the test drawn from a smaller pool of 10 questions. Study materials for both versions of the test are available on the USCIS website with the citizenship resources.
In addition to the new civics requirements, USCIS has also modified the evaluation of an applicant’s “good moral character.” Under the revised policy, the absence of criminal conduct is no longer sufficient. Applicants must now present evidence of “positive contributions to American society,” as reported by NPR. Further, USCIS has reinstated “neighborhood checks,” allowing officers to interview coworkers and neighbors as part of the background verification process for naturalization applicants.
Overall, the Trump Administration’s 2025 revisions represent one of the most significant changes to the naturalization process in recent years. The new standards heighten both the academic and character requirements for aspiring US citizens, emphasizing civic knowledge, community contribution, and integration into American life.