USCIS Revises Medical Certificiation for Disability Exceptions

WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced the availability of a revised Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, Form N-648, for public comment.

USCIS published a Federal Register notice announcing changes to the form and that the revised form will be available for review and comment for 60-days, starting Feb. 1, 2010, and ending April 2, 2010. The revisions further clarify the requirements for the exception and the basis for preparing a medical certification for applicants and medical professionals.
In general, the law requires applicants for naturalization to demonstrate that they can communicate in basic English and that they understand 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 developmental disability or mental impairment may request an exception from either or both of the requirements. Applicants who claim this exception must submit a Form N-648 certification, completed by a medical professional, with their naturalization application to USCIS.
To view the revised Form N-648 and table of changes, please go to www.regulations.gov, select “Notices” as the document type, and enter “Form N-648” as the keyword and then click on “Search.” Once you retrieve the February 1, 2010 document, click on the docket ID link. That page will provide you with the revised form and table of changes.