What Happens at the U.S. Citizenship Interview?

A Complete Guide to Preparing for Your Naturalization Interview and Citizenship Test

For many applicants, the most intimidating part of becoming a United States citizen isn't completing Form N-400.

It's the interview.

What will the USCIS officer ask me?

How difficult is the English test?

How many civics questions do I have to answer?

What happens if I don't understand a question?

What happens if I fail the test?

These are completely understandable concerns. Your naturalization interview is an important legal proceeding, but it is also a process you can prepare for.

Knowing what to expect can make an enormous difference.

In this guide, we'll walk through the naturalization interview, explain the different parts of the citizenship test, discuss possible outcomes, and identify some of the most important things you can do before your appointment.

What Happens When You Arrive for Your Naturalization Interview?

Your interview will generally take place at a USCIS field office.

When it is time for your appointment, a USCIS officer will call you for your interview. You will be placed under oath and asked to tell the truth during the proceeding.

You should carefully review your USCIS interview notice beforehand and bring all documents requested in that notice.

Depending on your circumstances, you may also need documents relating to travel, marriage, taxes, criminal history, child support, Selective Service, or other issues relevant to your application.

Preparation should begin before the day of your interview.

The USCIS Officer Will Review Your N-400

One of the most important parts of the naturalization interview is the review of your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

The officer may ask questions about information throughout your application, including your:

• Name and identifying information
• Current and previous addresses
• Employment history
• Travel outside the United States
• Marital history
• Children
• Immigration history
• Criminal or citation history
• Tax history
• Selective Service history, when applicable
• Organizations or associations
• Good Moral Character
• Willingness to take the Oath of Allegiance

This isn't simply an exercise in remembering what you wrote.

USCIS is determining whether the information on your application remains accurate and whether you satisfy the legal requirements for naturalization.

If something has changed since you filed your N-400—such as an address, job, trip outside the country, marital status, or other material information—you should be prepared to discuss it.

Your English Test May Begin Before You Realize It

Many applicants think the English test begins when the officer asks them to read a sentence.

It doesn't necessarily work that way.

Your ability to speak and understand English is generally evaluated during the naturalization interview itself.

As you answer questions about your N-400, the officer is also evaluating whether you can understand and respond in basic English, unless you qualify for an applicable exception.

This is one of the reasons we encourage applicants not to prepare only for the civics questions.

You also need to understand the questions USCIS may ask about your own application.

The English Reading Test

For the reading portion, USCIS tests your ability to read basic English.

You will be asked to read sentences in English, and you generally must correctly read one out of three sentences to demonstrate your ability to read English.

USCIS publishes vocabulary that applicants can use to prepare.

That means this part of the examination should not be a mystery.

Practice before your interview.

Reading the relevant vocabulary aloud can help you become more comfortable with the words you may encounter.

The English Writing Test

USCIS will also evaluate your ability to write basic English.

You generally must correctly write one out of three sentences.

Again, USCIS publishes vocabulary that can be used in the writing portion of the test.

Practicing these words and sentences before your interview can help make this part of the process much less intimidating.

The Civics Test

The civics portion evaluates your knowledge of United States history and government.

The exact test you will take depends on the USCIS rules applicable to your case at the time of your interview, so applicants should always study the current official USCIS materials rather than relying on an old study guide or outdated video.

For applicants taking the traditional 100-question version discussed in this episode, the officer asks up to 10 civics questions and the applicant must answer six correctly to pass.

Once you have answered enough questions correctly to pass, that portion of the examination ends.

The key is not to wait until the night before your interview.

• Study consistently.
• Use flashcards.
• Listen to the questions.
• Practice saying the answers aloud.
• Take practice examinations.

The more familiar the questions become, the less stressful the actual interview will feel.

Don't Just Memorize the Civics Questions

This is one of the most important pieces of advice we can give you.

Do not spend all of your preparation time memorizing civics questions while ignoring your N-400.

Some applicants can answer questions about George Washington, Congress, and the Constitution perfectly but struggle when the officer begins asking questions directly from their naturalization application.

Why?

Because the N-400 contains legal terminology that is not commonly used in everyday conversation.

An applicant may understand conversational English very well but have difficulty understanding words involving complicated legal, historical, or political concepts.

That can create problems during the interview.

Your preparation should therefore include both:

1. Preparing for the English and civics examinations; and
2. Reviewing your entire N-400 and understanding the questions you may be asked.

Know Your Own Application

Before attending your interview, sit down with a copy of the N-400 that was actually submitted to USCIS.

Go through it carefully.

Ask yourself:

• Do I understand every question?
• Do I remember the addresses I listed?
• Do I know the trips I reported?
• Do I understand the questions involving Good Moral Character?
• Has anything changed since this application was submitted?

You should not memorize false or scripted answers.

You should understand your own case well enough to answer truthfully and confidently.

What Should I Bring to My Citizenship Interview?

Always begin with your USCIS appointment notice because the documents required can vary depending on your case.

Applicants commonly should be prepared with identification and immigration documentation requested by USCIS, and some cases require additional supporting evidence.

Depending on your circumstances, that might include records involving:

• Marriage or divorce
• Travel
• Taxes
• Criminal matters
• Child support
• Name changes
• Selective Service
• Prior immigration proceedings
• Other eligibility issues

If USCIS specifically requests a document, do not assume it is optional.

What Happens If I Pass the Citizenship Interview?

Passing the English and civics portions does not necessarily mean that you become a citizen that day.

USCIS must still make a decision on the naturalization application.

If your case is approved, the final step is taking the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.

You do not become a United States citizen merely because you passed the test or because an officer recommended your application for approval.

Naturalization is generally completed when you take the Oath of Allegiance.

That is the finish line.

What If USCIS Needs More Information?

Sometimes the officer cannot approve the application immediately.

USCIS may need additional documents or information before making a decision.

For example, the officer might need additional evidence concerning an issue in your application.

If USCIS requests additional evidence, carefully review the notice, understand exactly what is being requested, and respond within the required timeframe.

Do not ignore it.

What Happens If I Fail the English or Civics Test?

Failing part of the naturalization examination does not necessarily mean your citizenship journey is over.

Applicants who fail a portion of the English or civics examination are generally given another opportunity to be tested on the portion they failed.

That is why it is important not to panic.

Instead, identify the area that caused difficulty and use the additional time to prepare.

Can My Naturalization Application Be Denied?

Yes.

USCIS can deny an N-400 when an applicant does not establish eligibility for naturalization.

A denial can involve issues beyond simply failing the citizenship test.

Potential concerns can involve:

• Continuous residence
• Physical presence
• Good Moral Character
• Criminal history
• Immigration history
• Taxes
• Marriage-based eligibility
• False statements or inconsistencies
• Other statutory requirements

Depending on the reason for the denial, there may be options to challenge the decision or apply again in the future.

A denial should therefore be evaluated based on its specific legal basis rather than assuming that citizenship is permanently impossible.

How Hendricks Law Prepares Our Naturalization Clients

At Hendricks Law, our representation does not end when the N-400 is submitted.

Interview preparation is included with our naturalization representation.

We help our clients understand what to expect during the USCIS interview, review their application, identify issues that may require additional preparation, and prepare for the questions they are likely to encounter.

For applicants who want additional help preparing for the English requirements, Hendricks Law also offers separate English for Naturalization educational resources and classes, including tools designed to help applicants practice and prepare.

Our objective isn't simply to get an N-400 filed.

We want our clients prepared for the moment they sit across from the USCIS officer—and ultimately for the moment they raise their right hand and become United States citizens.

Preparing for Your Citizenship Interview?

Preparation can turn uncertainty into confidence.

If your naturalization interview is approaching and you are concerned about your N-400, English requirements, civics test, immigration history, or another issue in your case, Hendricks Law can help you understand what to expect.

The interview isn't something you should fear. It is one of the final chapters in Your American Story.