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OfficialPOLICY ALERT - Investigations and Examinations for Naturalization Eligibility · Last verified

POLICY ALERT - Investigations and Examinations for Naturalization Eligibility

USCIS is updating its policy to more thoroughly check whether naturalization applicants are eligible.

What this is

USCIS is updating its policy to more thoroughly check whether naturalization applicants are eligible. This includes bringing back personal investigations — sometimes called neighborhood investigations — and more rigorous review of your documents and information during the naturalization interview.

Source: POLICY ALERT - Investigations and Examinations for Naturalization Eligibility · in effect from 25 August 2026

What you need to know

  • USCIS is issuing new policy guidance on how it assesses naturalization eligibility.
  • Personal investigations, also called neighborhood investigations, are being reintroduced under INA section 335(a).
  • USCIS will more closely validate the information and documents you provide as part of the naturalization examination under INA section 335(b).
  • USCIS is reintroducing personal investigations (neighborhood investigations) as part of naturalization under INA section 335(a)
  • Officers will more rigorously validate the information and documents you submit as part of your naturalization examination under INA 335(b)
  • This change applies to people applying for naturalization

Source: POLICY ALERT - Investigations and Examinations for Naturalization Eligibility · in effect from 25 August 2026

What to do

  • Ensure all information and documents you submit with your naturalization application are accurate and verifiable

Source: POLICY ALERT - Investigations and Examinations for Naturalization Eligibility · in effect from 25 August 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is a neighborhood investigation — will someone actually come to my street? The document calls it a personal investigation, authorized under section 335(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It does not describe what the investigation involves or where it takes place.

Did USCIS do these investigations before, or is this brand new? The policy reintroduces personal investigations, meaning USCIS conducted them at some earlier point and then stopped. This guidance brings them back.

What are they actually trying to verify during my naturalization interview? Under INA section 335(b), USCIS will validate your information and documentation as part of the naturalization examination. The document does not specify which documents or which information.

When does this take effect? It takes effect on 2026-08-25.

Who does this apply to? This relates to Citizenship.

Where does this information come from? U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, published at https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20260825-InvestigationsForNatzEligibility.pdf.

Source: POLICY ALERT - Investigations and Examinations for Naturalization Eligibility · in effect from 25 August 2026

Related topics

Citizenship

Source: POLICY ALERT - Investigations and Examinations for Naturalization Eligibility · in effect from 25 August 2026

Official

Frequently asked questions

What is a neighborhood investigation — will someone actually come to my street?
The document calls it a personal investigation, authorized under section 335(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It does not describe what the investigation involves or where it takes place.
Did USCIS do these investigations before, or is this brand new?
The policy reintroduces personal investigations, meaning USCIS conducted them at some earlier point and then stopped. This guidance brings them back.
What are they actually trying to verify during my naturalization interview?
Under INA section 335(b), USCIS will validate your information and documentation as part of the naturalization examination. The document does not specify which documents or which information.
When does this take effect?
It takes effect on 2026-08-25.
Who does this apply to?
This relates to Citizenship.
Where does this information come from?
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, published at https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20260825-InvestigationsForNatzEligibility.pdf.