Skip to content
HelloStampedSign in

OfficialPOLICY ALERT - Non-Governmental, Nonpartisan Organization Voter Registration Services at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies · Last verified

POLICY ALERT - Non-Governmental, Nonpartisan Organization Voter Registration Services at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies

USCIS has reversed a 2025 policy and now allows nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations to help new citizens register to vote at administrative naturalization ceremonies, when state or local election of…

What this is

USCIS has reversed a 2025 policy and now allows nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations to help new citizens register to vote at administrative naturalization ceremonies, when state or local election offices are not present at the ceremony.

Source: POLICY ALERT - Non-Governmental, Nonpartisan Organization Voter Registration Services at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies · in effect from 31 August 2026

What you need to know

  • USCIS is cancelling its August 29, 2025 policy (PA-2025-21) that had restricted voter registration at naturalization ceremonies.
  • Nonprofit and nonpartisan non-governmental organizations are now allowed to participate in administrative naturalization ceremonies.
  • These organizations can distribute and collect voter registration applications at the ceremony.
  • They can officially register new citizens to vote immediately after the ceremony.
  • This participation is permitted when state and local election offices are not available at the ceremony.
  • This applies only when state and local election offices are not available at the ceremony.

Source: POLICY ALERT - Non-Governmental, Nonpartisan Organization Voter Registration Services at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies · in effect from 31 August 2026

Frequently asked questions

Can I register to vote the same day as my naturalization ceremony, or do I have to go somewhere else later? You can register immediately following the ceremony. Nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations are permitted to distribute and collect voter registration applications and officially register new citizens to vote right there, on the same day.

Are these groups allowed to actually complete my registration, or do they just hand me a form to mail in myself? They can do both — distribute the forms and officially register you on the spot. You do not have to mail anything in yourself if you register with one of these organizations at the ceremony.

Will a government election office be there, or only volunteers? These nonprofit organizations are permitted to register voters specifically when state and local election offices are not available at the ceremony. If an official election office is present, that is who handles registration.

Can a political party organization come to my ceremony and sign me up to vote? No. Only nonprofit and nonpartisan non-governmental organizations are permitted to participate. Partisan organizations are not allowed under this policy.

This policy changed once already — is the current rule that allows these groups still in effect? Yes. A policy issued August 29, 2025 had removed this option. USCIS is now rescinding that policy and reinstating the guidance that permits these organizations to participate, so the option is back.

When does this take effect? It takes effect on 2026-08-31. Dates named in the document: 2025-08-29.

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/20260831-VoterRegNatzCeremonies.pdf.

Source: POLICY ALERT - Non-Governmental, Nonpartisan Organization Voter Registration Services at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies · in effect from 31 August 2026

Official

Frequently asked questions

Can I register to vote the same day as my naturalization ceremony, or do I have to go somewhere else later?
You can register immediately following the ceremony. Nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations are permitted to distribute and collect voter registration applications and officially register new citizens to vote right there, on the same day.
Are these groups allowed to actually complete my registration, or do they just hand me a form to mail in myself?
They can do both — distribute the forms and officially register you on the spot. You do not have to mail anything in yourself if you register with one of these organizations at the ceremony.
Will a government election office be there, or only volunteers?
These nonprofit organizations are permitted to register voters specifically when state and local election offices are not available at the ceremony. If an official election office is present, that is who handles registration.
Can a political party organization come to my ceremony and sign me up to vote?
No. Only nonprofit and nonpartisan non-governmental organizations are permitted to participate. Partisan organizations are not allowed under this policy.
This policy changed once already — is the current rule that allows these groups still in effect?
Yes. A policy issued August 29, 2025 had removed this option. USCIS is now rescinding that policy and reinstating the guidance that permits these organizations to participate, so the option is back.
When does this take effect?
It takes effect on 2026-08-31. Dates named in the document: 2025-08-29.
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/20260831-VoterRegNatzCeremonies.pdf.