N-400: USCIS reinstates nonprofit voter-registration at naturalization ceremonies

What changed

On August 31, 2026, USCIS updated Policy Manual Volume 12, Part J, Chapter 5 to reinstate the role of nonprofit, nonpartisan non-governmental organizations in administrative naturalization ceremonies. The policy had been suspended; the update restores it.

Under the current guidance, qualified organizations may distribute and collect voter registration applications at the conclusion of ceremonies when state or local election officials are not themselves present.

The reinstatement is procedural, not statutory. It affects what happens in the room on ceremony day — not the Oath of Allegiance itself or any eligibility requirement for N-400 adjudication.

Who it affects

Attorneys whose N-400 clients are approaching their oath ceremonies and who ask about voter registration logistics.

Firms that partner with civic-engagement nonprofits (League of Women Voters chapters, bar-association civic programs, local nonpartisan voter-registration groups) and have historically referred newly naturalized citizens for same-day registration.

What to do

Set expectations with naturalizing clients: voter registration may be available at the ceremony itself, but only if an approved nonprofit is present. If registration matters to the client, they should not assume it will happen on ceremony day — walking them through state registration deadlines separately is the safer counsel.

If your firm or a partner organization wants to participate at a specific ceremony, submit the written request to the local USCIS field office at least 30 days in advance (60+ days is the realistic lead time per the chapter).

Remind partner organizations that collecting personal data for later outreach is prohibited even when the registrant volunteers it — the organization may hand over the completed form to the election office but may not keep a copy or build a mailing list.