Taking the citizenship test in your own language

The three age-and-residency exceptions

• 50/20: age 50 or older on the day you file Form N-400, and a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 20 years. You are exempt from the English test (speaking, reading, and writing) and may take the civics test in the language of your choice with an interpreter. It is still the full 128-question pool: up to 20 asked, 12 to pass.
• 55/15: age 55 or older on the day you file, and a permanent resident for at least 15 years. Same exemption as 50/20.
• 65/20: age 65 or older on the day you file, and a permanent resident for at least 20 years. English exempt, civics in your language, and a shorter test: you study only 20 designated questions, are asked 10, and need 6 correct.

The years count from the date on your green card, and they do not need to be continuous. The age is checked on the day USCIS receives your N-400, not on the interview date. If you turn 50 the week after you file, you do not qualify; wait and file after your birthday.

How the interview works with an interpreter

You may bring your own interpreter, or USCIS may provide one by phone at some offices. Your interpreter must be fluent in English and your language, at least 18, and not your attorney or representative; a family member is allowed. The officer still reviews your N-400 with you, through the interpreter, and still asks the civics questions; you answer in your language and the interpreter translates. Tell USCIS in advance that you qualify for the exemption: there is a section for it on the N-400.

The medical exception (Form N-648)

Separately from age, an applicant with a physical, developmental, or mental impairment that prevents them from learning English or civics can be excused from one or both tests. A licensed doctor completes Form N-648, explaining the condition and why it prevents the learning. It must be filed with the N-400 or brought to the interview. Officers scrutinize these closely; the form must be specific, and "old age" alone is not a medical condition.

What everyone else should know

If you don't qualify for an exception, the interview is in English, and the English is the part most people underestimate. The civics answers are short and learnable; the harder part is understanding the officer's spoken questions and the N-400 review. Practice by listening to the questions read aloud until the wording is familiar, and read our pages on the reading and writing tests.

Study materials in your language

USCIS publishes the civics questions in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Arabic, and more at uscis.gov/citizenship. This site has the 128 questions in Spanish and instructions in Chinese and Vietnamese.

Last reviewed September 5, 2026. Procedures vary by field office and change over time; confirm anything that matters for your case at uscis.gov.