Green Card to Passport: Must Naturalize Under 2025 Civics Rules

Green Card holders cannot get a U.S. passport unless they first become U.S. citizens through naturalization, and federal officials are tightening parts of that journey in late 2025. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that permanent residents must meet all citizenship requirements, complete the Form N-400 process, pass the interview and tests, and take the Oath of Allegiance before applying for a passport with the Department of State. As of September 2025, the agency has also reinstated neighborhood checks and will roll out a new, more rigorous civics test on October 20, 2025, signaling a sharper focus on the standards tied to U.S. citizenship.

USCIS policy makes clear that a Green Card grants lawful permanent residence, not the rights of citizenship such as voting or holding a U.S. passport. The pathway remains the same: live in the United States long enough to qualify, apply for naturalization, and, after approval and the oath, apply for a passport as a new citizen. VisaVerge.com reports that the agency’s latest changes aim to reinforce integrity in the system and ensure new citizens grasp core principles of U.S. government and history before they pursue a passport.

Basic eligibility and what’s unchanged

Officials say eligibility for naturalization depends on several baseline criteria. Applicants are typically:

• At least 18 years old
• Maintaining continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S. for a set period (usually five years, or three if married to a U.S. citizen)
• Living in the state or USCIS district where they file
• Meeting good moral character standards
• Meeting English and civics requirements
• Taking the Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony

USCIS continues to treat the Green Card as lawful permanent residence only — it does not confer citizenship rights such as voting or passport eligibility. The naturalization process established by Congress still governs the route from a Green Card to a passport.

Stronger character reviews: neighborhood checks and what to expect

USCIS now reviews good moral character more closely, weighing both positive contributions and negative factors:

• Positive evidence: community involvement, steady employment, tax compliance
• Negative evidence: criminal issues, problematic conduct, even some minor infractions (weighed in context)

Key change: USCIS has reinstated neighborhood checks — a practice unused for 34 years — so officers may contact neighbors, employers, and coworkers to verify an applicant’s character. Expect more thorough inquiries into behavior at home, work, and in the community.

Important: Officers may reach out to third parties for verification. Applicants should prepare references and be ready to show rehabilitation or steady compliance if there are past infractions.

English and civics testing: new civics exam starting October 20, 2025

Language and civics remain core to U.S. citizenship. The major testing changes are:

• Beginning October 20, 2025, USCIS will administer a new, broader civics test.
• The new test includes up to 20 oral questions chosen from a pool of 128 questions.
• To pass, an applicant must answer at least 12 correctly.
• The session ends early if the applicant reaches 12 correct answers (pass) or 9 incorrect answers (fail).
• Applicants who filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025 will continue to take the older, simpler test.

USCIS says the update is intended to ensure applicants grasp civic concepts before taking the oath. The 2025 civics update is the first major revision since 2008.

Policy changes overview (August 2025 guidance)

The USCIS naturalization guidance updated in August 2025 highlights the following emphasis points:

• Good Moral Character Review: Officers consider both positive and negative conduct; neighborhood checks reinstated.
• Civics Test Overhaul: New test effective October 20, 2025; passing threshold = 12/20 correct answers; session may end early.
• No Shortcut to a U.S. Passport: Green Card holders cannot apply for a U.S. passport; only naturalized citizens can after taking the oath.
• Selective Service: Male applicants of certain ages must show Selective Service registration where required.
• Oath of Allegiance: Citizenship is conferred only after the oath is taken.

USCIS frames these updates as an effort to “restore integrity” and align the bar with the responsibilities of citizenship.

Step-by-step naturalization process

The required steps remain the same, though some elements are being enforced more strictly:

1. Maintain permanent resident status and meet the residency and physical presence rules.
2. Submit Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization), with necessary documents and fees.
3. Attend biometrics for fingerprinting and background checks.
4. Complete the interview and pass the English and civics tests.
5. Take the Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony.
6. Apply for a U.S. passport through the Department of State once naturalized.

Practical impacts and planning considerations

Two practical points stand out for applicants:

• Filing timing matters: Applicants filing Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 must prepare for the new 128-question civics pool and the 12/20 pass standard. Those who file before that date will continue with the older test.
• Expect deeper character inquiries: The revival of neighborhood checks and a closer review of taxes and records mean officers will take a fuller look at an applicant’s history.

Who this affects:

• Long-term Green Card holders with steady work and community ties may benefit from positive character evidence.
• Applicants with minor past infractions should prepare documentation of rehabilitation and steady compliance.
• The more rigorous civics test and early-termination exam format could shorten interviews for some, but increases pressure on each response.

Preparation checklist for applicants

Applicants preparing now can take several helpful steps:

• Keep records that show continuous residence and state or district residency.
• Maintain tax compliance and collect proof of community contributions.
• Prepare for the English and civics requirements — for filings on/after October 20, 2025, study from the 128-question pool and practice oral answers.
• Anticipate neighborhood or workplace contact by USCIS and inform references that an officer may reach out.
• Confirm Selective Service registration where required.

Resources and legal distinctions

The legal framework for naturalization remains the same: the process ends with the Oath of Allegiance, and only then can a new citizen apply for a passport. USCIS provides public resources for applicants, including the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center and Form N-400, Application for Naturalization:

• USCIS Citizenship Resource Center
• Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

USCIS emphasizes: holding a Green Card does not grant U.S. citizenship or the right to a U.S. passport. The passport application comes only after the oath.

What to expect going forward

Federal officials say these updates aim to ensure new citizens “fully embrace American values,” balancing access with responsibility. Supporters contend the updated civics test and stricter character reviews reward preparation and steady conduct. Critics worry expanded checks could slow cases or unsettle applicants with older infractions.

Key timing note: If you want the older civics test, make sure Form N-400 is filed before October 20, 2025. Otherwise, prepare for the new 128-question pool and the 12/20 pass threshold.

In short: the road from Green Card to U.S. passport runs through naturalization. The 2025 updates sharpen attention on character and civics knowledge, and the October 20, 2025 test change divides cases by filing date. Eligibility criteria (age, residence, physical presence, state residency, English and civics, oath, and Selective Service) remain the same, but officers will apply closer scrutiny in evaluating applicants.