U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is reminding the public that as of October 1, 2009, all citizenship applicants must take the new naturalization test, regardless of when they filed their Application for Naturalization (Form N-400).

“Becoming a United States citizen carries with it extraordinary rights and responsibilities,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “Our new test captures the meaning of citizenship and is consistent with our values and history as a nation.”

The revised naturalization test will help strengthen integration efforts by emphasizing fundamental concepts of American democracy, basic U.S. history, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

USCIS began administering the new naturalization test October 1, 2008, with two basic objectives – to ensure a uniform test administration nationwide and to develop a civics test that can effectively assess an applicant’s knowledge of U.S. history and government. Up until October 1, 2009, applicants who had filed for naturalization before October 1, 2008, had a choice of taking the old test or the new test. Currently, the overall pass rate for the new test is 91 percent.

If you or a loved one require assistance in applying for citizenship, please contact us to schedule your initial consultation with an experienced Virginia naturalization lawyer today. Our immigration law attorneys represent clients in Woodbridge, Manassas, Stafford, Alexandria, Arlington, Fredericksburg, Culpeper, Fauquier, Warrenton, Fairfax and all of Northern Virginia, as well as throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia.