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OfficialPOLICY ALERT - Participation of Non-Governmental Organizations at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies · Last verified

POLICY ALERT - Participation of Non-Governmental Organizations at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies

USCIS is temporarily allowing nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations to distribute and collect voter registration forms at administrative naturalization ceremonies, and to register new citizens to vote…

What this is

USCIS is temporarily allowing nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations to distribute and collect voter registration forms at administrative naturalization ceremonies, and to register new citizens to vote after the ceremony when local election offices are unavailable.

Source: POLICY ALERT - Participation of Non-Governmental Organizations at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies · in effect from 12 August 2026

What you need to know

  • USCIS has reverted to its June 28, 2017 policy on NGO participation at naturalization ceremonies.
  • This change follows a court order in League of Women Voters v. USCIS (August 3, 2025).
  • Nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations may distribute and collect voter registration applications at administrative naturalization ceremonies.
  • These organizations may officially register new citizens to vote after the ceremony.
  • This only applies when state and local election offices are not available at the ceremony.
  • This policy is temporary, pending final resolution of the court case.
  • USCIS is temporarily following the June 28, 2017 policy on non-governmental organization (NGO) participation at naturalization ceremonies.
  • This change is required by a court order in League of Women Voters v. USCIS (D. Md., August 3, 2025).
  • Nonprofit and nonpartisan NGOs are allowed at administrative naturalization ceremonies.
  • These organizations may hand out and collect voter registration applications at the ceremony.
  • They may officially register new citizens to vote after the ceremony.
  • NGO participation is only permitted when state and local election offices are not available at the ceremony.
  • This policy applies only while the court case is ongoing.

Source: POLICY ALERT - Participation of Non-Governmental Organizations at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies · in effect from 12 August 2026

Frequently asked questions

Can organizations register new citizens to vote at the ceremony itself, or only hand out forms? Both. The policy permits distributing and collecting voter registration applications and officially registering new citizens to vote at the ceremony — not just handing out paperwork.

Is this available at every naturalization ceremony, or only some? The policy applies to administrative naturalization ceremonies, and the voter registration activity is permitted only when state and local election offices are not available to do so at that ceremony.

What kind of organization is allowed to do this — can any group show up? Only nonprofit and nonpartisan non-governmental organizations are permitted. A group that is partisan or for-profit does not qualify under this policy.

Is this permanent, or could it be taken away before I have my ceremony? It is temporary. It is in effect pending final resolution of the litigation in League of Women Voters v. USCIS — once that case is resolved, the policy could change.

Which policy is actually in effect right now? The June 28, 2017 USCIS policy guidance is what is in effect right now, reinstated by a court order issued August 3, 2025 in League of Women Voters v. USCIS.

When does this take effect? It takes effect on 2026-08-12. Dates named in the document: 2017-06-28; 2025-08-03.

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/20260812-VoterRegNatzCeremonies.pdf.

Source: POLICY ALERT - Participation of Non-Governmental Organizations at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies · in effect from 12 August 2026

Official

Frequently asked questions

Can organizations register new citizens to vote at the ceremony itself, or only hand out forms?
Both. The policy permits distributing and collecting voter registration applications and officially registering new citizens to vote at the ceremony — not just handing out paperwork.
Is this available at every naturalization ceremony, or only some?
The policy applies to administrative naturalization ceremonies, and the voter registration activity is permitted only when state and local election offices are not available to do so at that ceremony.
What kind of organization is allowed to do this — can any group show up?
Only nonprofit and nonpartisan non-governmental organizations are permitted. A group that is partisan or for-profit does not qualify under this policy.
Is this permanent, or could it be taken away before I have my ceremony?
It is temporary. It is in effect pending final resolution of the litigation in League of Women Voters v. USCIS — once that case is resolved, the policy could change.
Which policy is actually in effect right now?
The June 28, 2017 USCIS policy guidance is what is in effect right now, reinstated by a court order issued August 3, 2025 in League of Women Voters v. USCIS.
When does this take effect?
It takes effect on 2026-08-12. Dates named in the document: 2017-06-28; 2025-08-03.
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/20260812-VoterRegNatzCeremonies.pdf.