Fees, forms & filingPOLICY UPDATE
Revised Guidance for Form N-648 Submission and Review Process
USCIS is changing how the Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions ( Form N-648 ) is processed by focusing greater attention on the veracity of medical certifications and identification of fraud, thereby enhancing the integrity of the process.
Effective date and application
This guidance, contained in Volume 12 of the USCIS Policy Manual, is effective immediately
Key changes
- USCIS is changing how the Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions ( Form N-648 ) is processed by focusing greater attention on the veracity of medical certifications and identification of fraud, thereby enhancing the integrity of the process.
- Implements changes to processing medical certifications to enhance the integrity of the process and to allow for additional review and identification of fraud.
- Returns to the prior policy (pre-2022) of requiring aliens filing for naturalization to submit Form N-648 concurrently with Application for Naturalization (Form N-400), except when the alien demonstrates extenuating circumstances.
- Provides that concurrent submission of multiple Forms N-648 may raise concerns about the credibility of the disability or impairment claim and could be subject to further review.
- Reaffirms that the medical professional must clearly explain the connection (also referred to as the “nexus”) between the disability or impairment and how it renders an alien unable to demonstrate the English and civics requirements for naturalization.
- Explains the policy regarding credible reasons to doubt the validity of Form N-648, by introducing examples of credible reasons and how USCIS handles these situations.
