USCIS confirms who can take the U.S. citizenship test in Spanish — and what the requirements are

Key Takeaways

• It has been reported that USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) clarified which naturalization applicants may take the civics portion of the citizenship test in Spanish.
• Age-and-residency exemptions (commonly called 50/20, 55/15 and 65/20) and disability waivers are the primary routes to receive the test in a language other than English.
• Applicants must file Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) and should indicate language needs; medical exceptions require Form N-648 supported by a physician.
• Younger applicants without an exemption must still meet the English requirement (reading, writing, speaking), so Spanish will not be allowed for the full test in most cases.

What USCIS confirmed

It has been reported that USCIS has clarified rules about when the naturalization interview and civics test may be given in Spanish. Under longstanding policy, the English-language requirement for naturalization can be waived for certain long-term lawful permanent residents who meet age-and-residency thresholds. Those policies—often referenced as the 50/20, 55/15 and 65/20 exceptions—allow eligible applicants to take the civics test in their native language rather than in English.

Who qualifies and what the terms mean

• 50/20 and 55/15 exceptions: Applicants who are age 50 or older and have been LPRs (lawful permanent residents) for at least 20 years, or age 55 or older with at least 15 years as an LPR, are exempt from the English requirement and may take the civics test in their language of choice (for many, Spanish).
• 65/20: Applicants 65 or older with 20+ years as an LPR get a simplified civics test (fewer questions) and may use their native language.
• Disability waiver: Applicants with qualifying physical or developmental disabilities or mental impairments may request an exemption from the English and/or civics requirements by submitting Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, completed by a licensed medical professional.

These exceptions apply to the English-language requirement; they do not remove the need to demonstrate knowledge of U.S. civics, though the format or language of that civics test can change depending on eligibility.

What applicants should do now

If you want to take the civics test in Spanish, indicate your language preference on Form N-400 when you apply. If you believe you qualify for a disability waiver, submit Form N-648 with supporting medical documentation. At the interview, bring any documentation that supports age/residency eligibility (e.g., green card history) and, if applicable, your physician’s certification. For most younger applicants without an approved exemption, USCIS will continue to require the English-language components (speaking, reading, writing) of naturalization.

Human impact: this clarification matters for many Spanish-speaking older immigrants who face a language barrier; it can remove a major obstacle to naturalization and reduce the need for costly language classes or translators. For younger applicants, however, the standard English requirements remain in force — meaning preparation in English is still necessary for most people seeking U.S. citizenship.

Source: Original Article