Understanding the US Citizenship Interview

Introduction

The USCIS welcomed 818,500 new citizens in the fiscal year 2024 during naturalization ceremonies held across the US and around the world.

You have decided to become a US citizen and have begun your naturalization journey. The moment for which you were waiting for many years has finally arrived. Now, all that stands between you becoming a US citizen is that interview room with a USCIS officer. At this time, it’s natural for you to be nervous and think about the interview process. What questions would the interviewer ask? How should I prepare for the citizenship interview? What documents should I carry with me? 

In this blog, we will break down the US Citizenship Interview and give you a step-by-step guide on what to expect during it and how to prepare for your citizenship interview, making sure that you confidently walk into your citizenship interview to achieve your American Dream. 

What Is The US Citizenship Interview?

The citizenship interview is a step in the naturalization process. A USCIS officer determines your eligibility to become a US citizen by asking you questions based on your N-400, Application for Naturalization, immigration background, and other information you have submitted up until the interview. 

Unless you have been exempted due to your age, medical issues, or the time you have held a permanent green card, you will also be required to study for the English and Civics Test, which will take place on the same day as the interview. 

When Does The US Citizenship Interview Take Place?

The Citizenship interview is usually the third step in your naturalization process. If you are eligible to become a US citizen, you can prepare and file your application for naturalization, N-400. If the USCIS accepts your application, you will be called for a biometrics appointment to undergo a complete background check. 

After you complete both of these steps, the USCIS will mail you an interview appointment notice scheduling your interview. Remember to carefully read this notice one more time before your interview, as the date, time, and location of your interview will be written here. 

Where Does The US Citizenship Interview Take Place?

Your citizenship interview will most likely take place in the nearest USCIS field office. You can check your interview center beforehand by looking at the ZIP code of your physical address, which you have written in your N-400. 

Arriving At The Interview Center

After arriving at the USCIS field office, you may have to go through a federal security checkpoint. After checking in, you can expect to wait for some time before your name is called for the interview. Usually, the USCIS schedules multiple interviews in the same time slot. 

It is advised that you reach your interview center at least half an hour to forty-five minutes before your interview slot to avoid facing any trouble finding parking and to get through the security check with plenty of time in hand. 

What Happens If I Am Unable To Attend The Citizenship Interview?

If you don’t show up for the citizenship interview and haven’t contacted the USCIS to reschedule the interview, the USCIS can stop processing your application. If this happens to you, you can contact the USCIS within one year to restart the processing of your application. If you aren’t able to do that, then your citizenship application will be automatically denied.

What if I am sick and cannot come to the interview? If I reschedule an interview, will the chances of my citizenship application’s approval reduce? 

Don’t worry. Your application will not be denied if you reschedule an interview, and it will not lead to the USCIS penalizing you. If you are feeling unwell or have a cold or the flu, fever or nausea, severe headaches or body aches, etc., then you can easily reschedule an interview by informing the USCIS. The steps to reschedule an interview will already be written in the interview appointment notice you received in your mail.

What Should I Bring To The Citizenship Interview? 

The interview appointment notice that you received in your mail will contain the list of documents you have to bring with you to the interview. In addition to these documents, remember to carry:

• Interview appointment notice
• Permanent Resident Card or Green Card
• State-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license
• Valid and expired passports and travel documents, from the time you became a lawful permanent resident, to show the duration you have been outside the US.
• Proof of marital status, such as a marriage certificate, divorce papers, etc. (if applicable)
• Proof of official name change (if applicable)

As long as you bring these documents with you to your interview, you will be good to go. Even if you have submitted these documents along with your N-400, it’s generally a good idea to carry the originals/copies of these documents with you to ensure that your interview goes smoothly and you are well prepared. 

How Long Does The Citizenship Interview Take?

After you have entered the interview room, it usually takes anywhere between 20-30 minutes for your citizenship interview to be over. Of course, it can last for a couple more minutes as well if it is taking longer to verify the information you have written on your N-400 application or to assess your English and Civics skills. 

How To Prepare For The Citizenship Interview? 

Preparing for the citizenship interview can be nerve-racking. We understand. As long as you are honest during the interview and answer confidently, you can succeed. Before the interview, make a copy of your N-400 and review your answers, making sure you don’t make any mistakes during the interview. 

Also, remember to carry all your supporting documents and review your previous immigration records as well. 

In case you have any questions or want to consult an expert before your interview, you can contact an experienced immigration attorney to clear all your doubts. 

Can Someone Come With Me To The Citizenship Interview?

Yes, you can take an attorney and/or a representative with you to your interview. However, if you want to bring an attorney or representative, you would have to inform the USCIS beforehand and submit Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative, when you submit your naturalization application. 

If you are exempt from taking the English test, you can also bring an interpreter or ask the USCIS to select one for you. After arriving at the USCIS field office, your interpreter would have to complete an interpreter’s oath and privacy release statement and provide a copy of their government-issued ID card.

Bringing a Family Member

In case you have a disability, you can contact and request permission from the USCIS field office to allow a family member or a guardian to accompany you during your interview.  

What Questions Will Be Asked At The Citizenship Interview? 

During your citizenship interview, the USCIS officer interviewing you will mainly ask you questions related to your N-400 application and your A-file, which contains all your immigration records and official interactions. After you enter, you will be placed under oath. 

The interviewer will test your English skills by asking you to confirm that the information you have provided in your N-400 is up-to-date and accurate. It’s good to review your N-400 application before going for an interview, and remember to carry all relevant documents to support your answers. 

While there is no set list of questions that you may be asked at the interview, here’s a list of the most common questions that you must prepare for:

• When is your birthday?
• Where were you born?
• What colour are your eyes? 
• Are any of your parents U.S. citizens? 
• How long have you been married? 
• What are the names of your children? 
• What is the name of your spouse? 
• How many times have you been married? 
• Have you ever served in the US military? 
• Have you ever served in any foreign country’s military? 
• When were you approved for a green card? 
• How many times have you left the US since becoming a green card holder/lawful permanent resident?
• Where have you lived in the past 5 years? 
• Why do you want to become a U.S. citizen? 
• Have you ever been arrested? If yes, what were the charges? 
• Will you obey the laws of the US? 
• Are you willing to take the Oath of Allegiance? 
• If necessary, would you be willing to defend the US in a war?

As we said, there isn’t a fixed list, and there can be other questions as well, ranging from your political ideologies to your affiliations and your employment history. 

English And Civics Test

During your interview, you will be asked to take English and U.S. history tests. Sometimes, the USCIS officer taking your interview tests your English and Civics skills and knowledge during the interview itself. In some cases, your interview will be split. 

The first interviewer will review your application and ask you questions based on your N-400 and your immigration background. After this, a second interviewer will test your civics and written English. 

You can get ready for your citizenship interview and increase your chances of passing the citizenship test by watching this information-packed DVD from FileRight.com. We understand that English may not be your first language, so we have included Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean subtitles for your benefit. 

What Happens After The Citizenship Interview? 

After your interview is over, you can either receive the results of the interview and the test at that time or continue your application. 

Receiving Naturalization Decision

After your interview, you will receive a notice with your interview and test results. If the USCIS does not require you to give more information, your work is done. After this, the USCIS will review your responses and can either accept or deny your naturalization application. Sometimes, the USCIS can decide on the same day. Otherwise, the USCIS has up to 120 days to decide whether to accept or deny your application. 

Application Continued

In some instances, the USCIS, after giving you the result of your interview and test, can indicate in the notice that you need to provide additional evidence before the USCIS decides on your application. Also, if you fail in a portion of the test, then your naturalization application can be continued by the USCIS.

A common example of your naturalization application being continued is when there is a major change in your status or information after you had submitted your N-400. If your application is continued, the USCIS will send an official Request for Evidence (RFE). You should promptly respond to the notice with all the information requested to avoid unnecessary delays and chances of denial. 

After you send the information along with supporting documents, the USCIS typically schedules a second citizenship interview within 60 to 90 days from the date of your first interview. During this interview, the interviewer will review the additional information you have submitted or allow you to retake the portion of the test you failed.

Oath of Allegiance Ceremony 

The last step in your naturalization journey is the Oath of Allegiance. Around 3-6 weeks after your application for naturalization is accepted, a ceremony will be organized, where you will typically take an oath and swear allegiance to the USA and affirm your support and defense of the US Constitution. 

Sometimes, after you receive your result for the citizenship interview and test, you can get the results and take the oath of allegiance on the same day. 

Conclusion 

In 2024, 23 green card holders who naturalized and became US citizens were centenarians (age 100 and older)

The journey of becoming a U.S. citizen is challenging and enthralling. For most green card holders, the naturalization process can be very stressful. Confusion about the citizenship interview process, what to do, and what to expect are perhaps the main reasons why many lawful permanent residents do not naturalize despite being eligible. 

With this detailed guide, you can clear all your doubts about the citizenship interview process and get to know the entire process, broken down in a step-by-step manner. 

Contact FileRight.com Today!

With the right help by your side, you too can become a U.S. citizen and live your American Dream, without fear of deportation or any travel restrictions. With FileRight’s online “do-it-yourself” software and lawyer review services, we provide instant Application Error Reports and support you through every stage of your naturalization process.

What are you waiting for? Book a consultation with FileRight’s Team Today!