What happens at the citizenship interview

Before you go in

Bring your interview notice, your green card, all passports and travel documents, and originals of anything you referenced on the N-400: marriage certificate, divorce decrees, tax returns, selective service confirmation. Arrive early; you will pass through security and check in.

1. Oath and identification

The officer places you under oath, so everything you say is sworn testimony. They confirm your name, date of birth, and address against your documents.

2. Your N-400, read back to you

The officer goes through your application question by question. This doubles as your English speaking test: they are listening to whether you understand and can answer in plain English. Anything that changed since you filed, such as an address, a job, or a trip abroad, you report now. See the questions officers ask.

3. English reading and writing

You read one sentence aloud correctly, from up to three tries. Then you write one sentence the officer dictates, from up to three tries. Both draw on short official vocabulary lists: see the reading list and the writing list.

4. Civics

The officer asks up to 20 questions out loud from the list of 128 and stops when you reach 12 correct or 9 wrong. You answer in English. Any of the acceptable answers counts, and you may ask the officer to repeat a question. On the 65/20 version it is 10 questions, 6 to pass.

The decision

Most people learn the result at the end of the interview: granted, continued, or denied. "Continued" usually means the officer needs a document or you failed one part; you get a second interview within 60 to 90 days and only retake the part you failed. Two failed attempts on the same part means a denial, and you can file a new N-400.

The oath ceremony

Once approved, you are scheduled for the ceremony where you take the Oath of Allegiance and receive your Certificate of Naturalization. You are not a citizen until you take the oath.