WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, to further clarify the requirements for the exception and the basis for preparing a medical certification for applicants and medical professionals. The new edition of Form N-648 was made available on the USCIS Web site on Nov. 3, 2008. After Dec. 15, 2008, USCIS will no longer accept older editions of Form N-648.
In general, the law requires applicants for naturalization to demonstrate that they can communicate in basic English and demonstrate an understanding of United States history and government. However, an applicant who is unable to comply with one or both of those requirements because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment may request an exception from either or both of those requirements. Applicants who claim this exception must submit a Form N-648 certification, completed by a medical professional, as part of their naturalization application to USCIS.
Based on USCIS experience with processing Form N‑648, as well as suggestions from stakeholders, USCIS identified ways in which the form and its instructions could be improved to work more effectively. It is expected that these revisions will result in fewer inappropriate submissions and will enable USCIS to more quickly reach an informed decision on those N-648 certifications that are submitted.
The new edition of Form N-648, bearing the revision date of 10/16/08, is available on the USCIS Web site on the "Immigration Forms" page. For general questions on Form N-648 or for printed copies of the new edition, please call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1‑800‑375‑5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833).
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