Biden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced

Instructions to Form N-648, 8/19/22 edition

This Biden administration policy reverses the Trump era policy identified in this entry.

On 8/19/22, the Biden administration released a revised edition of Form N-648 and instructions.

Biden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced

Form N-648, 8/19/22 edition

This Biden administration policy reverses the Trump era policy identified in this entry.

On 8/19/22, the Biden administration released a revised edition of Form N-648. Among the key changes to the form include:

• The new edition of Form N-648 has been shortened to just over 4 pages, in comparison to 9 pages from the previous edition.
• The number of questions in Part 3, Information About Disabilities and/or Impairments, has been trimmed down and simplified.
• In Part 3, prior questions about the clinical diagnosis and the connection between the disability/impairment and inability to meet the testing requirements have been combined in the first question.
• A new section has been added in Part 4, Ability to Understand Oath of Allegiance. In this section, the medical professional is asked if the applicant is able to understand and communicate an understanding of the oath.

Biden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced

2022.10.19 USCIS Form and Policy Updates Remove Barriers to Naturalization for Applicants with Disabilities

This Biden administration policy reverses the Trump era policy identified in this entry.

USCIS announced updated policy guidance to clarify and conform with the revision of Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. Notable changes include the elimination of questions about how each relevant disability affects specific functions of the applicant’s daily life, including the ability to work or go to school, dates of diagnosis, description of severity of each disability, and whether the certifying medical professional has a pre-existing relationship with the applicant. Further, the form revision allows the medical professional the option to indicate an applicant’s need for an oath waiver, thereby eliminating the need for separate medical documentation.

Biden Administration Action: Other

02.29.2024 - Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions

DHS and USCIS published a proposed extension without modification of Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. Comments will be accepted for 60 days until April 29, 2024.

Biden Administration Action: Other

6.14.2024 - Extension, Without Change: Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions

DHS and USCIS allow for an additional 30-day public comment period on the notice originally published in the Federal Register on February 29, 2024 proposing extending without modification Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. Four comments were received in connection with the original notice. Comments will be accepted until July 15, 2024.