N-400 interview questions

This part is a conversation, not a test with a pass mark, but it is where the officer judges your English and your honesty. Answer briefly, truthfully, and only what was asked. If something has changed since you filed, say so.

About you

• What is your full name? Have you used any other names?
• What is your date of birth? Where were you born?
• What is your current address? How long have you lived there?
• Do you want to change your name when you become a citizen?

Residence and travel

• How long have you been a permanent resident?
• Have you taken any trips outside the United States since you got your green card? How long was each trip?
• Have you lived anywhere else in the last five years?

Family

• Are you married? How many times have you been married?
• Is your spouse a U.S. citizen? How did they become a citizen?
• Do you have children? Where do they live? Do you support them?

Work and taxes

• Where do you work? What do you do there?
• Have you filed a federal tax return every year since becoming a permanent resident?
• Do you owe any taxes?

The "Have you ever" questions

These come from Part 9 of the form and are asked one at a time. The expected answer to most of them is a clear "No," but you must answer truthfully; a false answer is worse than the thing itself.

• Have you ever claimed to be a U.S. citizen?
• Have you ever voted in a U.S. election, or registered to vote?
• Have you ever been arrested, cited, or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason?
• Have you ever failed to file a tax return, or called yourself a nonresident on a tax return?
• Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party, a totalitarian party, or a terrorist organization?
• Have you ever persecuted anyone, or been involved in genocide, torture, or killing?
• Have you ever been deported, or been in removal proceedings?
• Have you ever failed to support your dependents or pay child support?
• Have you ever been a habitual drunkard, or been involved with illegal drugs, gambling, or prostitution?
• Do you support the Constitution and form of government of the United States?
• Are you willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance? To bear arms, or perform noncombatant service, if the law requires it?

Words that trip people up

Officers use the vocabulary on the form. Know these before you go in: oath (a sworn promise), allegiance (loyalty), persecute (to treat cruelly because of who someone is), totalitarian (a government that controls everything), bear arms (serve as a soldier with a weapon), noncombatant (military service without a weapon), habitual (repeatedly), removal (deportation).

If you have anything in your history that makes any of these a "Yes," talk to an immigration attorney or accredited representative before your interview, not after.