Applying for US citizenship is a major step, and for many, the N-400 interview is the most stressful part of the process. It’s where your application moves from paperwork to face-to-face scrutiny and it’s often where mistakes, omissions or nerves can derail months of preparation.

That said, most of what you could be asked during the interview is fairly predictable. With the right preparation, you can approach your interview with confidence and ready for what comes next.

This guide breaks down the N-400 interview process, what to bring, what to expect, and how to avoid the most common pitfalls.

 

What is form N400?

 

N400 is the form used to apply to USCIS to naturalize as a US citizen.

To apply for naturalization, you must first create a USCIS account before submitting your online application using Form N-400. At this stage, you will have the opportunity to answer a few questions using the online eligibility tool to check that you qualify. For example, if you are applying on the basis of lawful permanent residency for at least 5 years, or at least 3 years if married to a US citizen, you must have met a continuous residence requirement, although you can file your form up to 90 calendar days before completing this requirement.

Importantly, the questions asked when using the eligibility tool are solely intended to help you determine whether you may be eligible to submit your application for naturalization. This tool does not determine if you are actually eligible for US citizenship. In addition to meeting the lawful permanent residence requirement, your eligibility will also depend on things like your ability to establish good moral character and loyalty to the US constitution, as well as your ability to meet the English and civics requirements, where required.

If you are unsure whether or not you are eligible to apply for naturalization, or whether you qualify for an English language exemption or medical disability exception, you are strongly advised to seek expert advice from an immigration specialist before applying. After you submit your application, USCIS will review the information contained in your Form N-400 and the documents submitted in support, together with your answers given during interview, to determine if you are eligible for naturalization as a US citizen.

If your application is denied, you will not be entitled to any refund of your fee. The cost to file Form N-400 is $710 if filed online or $760 if filed by paper. You will be asked by USCIS to enrol your biometrics at an Applicant Support Center a few weeks after submitting your application and prior to attending your N400 interview. You will be required to provide your fingerprints, photograph and signature at this appointment. It is only after your biometrics appointment that your interview will be scheduled at a local USCIS field office, unless you qualify for a special accommodation.

Applicants aged 75 years or older are exempt from the biometric services fee. Therefore, if filing online, the total fee is $710; if filing by paper, it is $760.

Applicants with household incomes between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may be eligible for a reduced fee of $380. Those unable to pay the fee may apply for a full fee waiver using Form I-912. Note that fee waivers and reductions require filing by paper.

Once you have filed the completed form and paid the application fee, you will need to schedule your naturalization interview.

 

What is the N400 interview?

 

The N400 interview is the penultimate stage of the application process when applying to naturalize as a US citizen, prior to pledging your oath of allegiance at a citizenship ceremony. The primary purpose of the N400 interview is to help USCIS evaluate your application and verify that the answers given in your application are true, and to ensure you meet the requirements for naturalization, including an English and civics requirement.

During your naturalization interview you will be asked various questions about your application and background. You will also be required to take an English and civics test, unless you qualify for an English language exemption or medical disability exception. The English test comprises three key components — reading, writing and speaking — while the civics test covers important aspects of American government and history.

 

What to expect during the N400 interview

 

To be eligible to apply to become a US citizen through naturalization, you must meet certain statutory requirements. The interview stage of the application process provides USCIS with the opportunity to ensure that you meet those requirements. Unless exempt from meeting the English language requirement, or where a medical disability exception applies, you will also be required to take the English and civics test at your N400 interview.

For the English part of the naturalization test, you must demonstrate a basic understanding of the English language, including reading, writing and speaking. Your ability to speak and understand English will be determined by the interviewing officer during the course of your interview. For the reading test, you must correctly read aloud one out of three sentences in English while, for the writing test, you must correctly write one out of three sentences.

The civics portion of the naturalization test is an oral test. The USCIS officer will ask up to 10 questions from the list of 100 civics test questions. You must answer at least 6 questions correctly to pass. Note that some answers may change due to elections or appointments; ensure you provide the current answer at the time of your interview. To pass this test, you must correctly answer 6 questions.

To rely on a disability exception from either or both the English language and civil requirements, you must have uploaded Form N-648 (Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions) when submitting Form N-400. This must have been completed less than 6 months before by a licensed medical/osteopathic doctor or clinical psychologist.

If you want to apply for a disability exception, your disability or impairment must affect your ability to read, write or speak the English language, or to learn US civics, even with accommodations. You cannot qualify for a disability exception based on illiteracy. Your disability must also have affected you for at least one year, or be expected to last longer than one year. If you qualify for a disability exception, an interpreter who is fluent in English and the language of your choice must accompany you to your interview.

When it comes to English language exemptions, you will be exempt from taking the English language test (although you will still be required to take the civics test) where you are aged 50 or more and have lived in the US as a lawful permanent resident for periods totalling at least 20 years at the time you file your Form N-400, or where you are aged 55 or more and have lived in the US as a lawful permanent resident for periods totalling at least 15 years.

If you are 65 years old or older and have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you are exempt from the English language requirement. You will also take a simplified version of the civics test, studying only the questions marked with an asterisk (*) on the official list.

 

What should you bring to your N400 interview?

 

When applying to naturalize as a US citizen, you will need to submit evidence in support of your application. This must include ‘required evidence’, but can also include ‘additional evidence’. The required evidence refers to mandatory documentation that you must upload before submitting your online application, where these documents will help USCIS to confirm that answers given in response to certain questions are true.

In contrast, additional evidence is the documentation that you can provide to help support your application or to help explain any of your responses given on Form N-400. You can either upload your additional evidence online prior to submitting your application or bring this with you to your N400 interview. However, including these additional documents while preparing your online application can make the overall process much easier.

Importantly, having submitted your application, you may be asked by USCIS to respond to a ‘Request for Evidence’ (RFE). In these cases, you must upload the evidence requested within the prescribed timeframe using your online account, and not simply attend with this evidence at interview. Failing to provide any additional evidence requested by UKVI could result in delays. It could also result in a denial of your application for naturalization.

Other documents that you will need to attend your N400 interview with include:

 

• your interview appointment notice
• your Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card)
• a state-issued identification, such as a driver’s licence
• all valid and expired passports and travel documents issued to you that document your absences from the United States since becoming a permanent resident.

 

 

Typical N400 interview questions

 

The questions that may be asked during interview can vary, depending on the basis upon which citizenship is sought, and your personal circumstances, although questions will be centred around any answers given in your Form N-400. It is therefore useful to print off a copy of your completed application form and take this with you to your N400 interview.

The questions for your civics test, where applicable, can be found on the USCIS website and are divided into the following three headings (together with three sections per heading):

American Government (Section A: Principles of American Democracy, Section B: System of Government & Section C: Rights and Responsibilities) — where questions include “What is the supreme law of the land?”, “Name one branch or part of the government?” or “What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?”.

American history (Section A: Colonial Period and Independence, Section B: 1800s & Section C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information) — where questions include “Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?” , “Name one problem that led to the Civil War” or “Name one war fought by the US in the 1900s?”.

Integrated civics (Section A: Geography, Section B: Symbols & Section C: Holidays) — where questions include: “Name one state that borders Canada?”, “Why does the flag have 13 stripes?” or “When do we celebrate Independence Day?”.

 

Category	Example Interview Questions
Personal Information	What is your full legal name? Have you ever used any other names? What is your date of birth? Where were you born?
Residency and Travel	What is your current home address? Have you moved since filing your N-400? Have you travelled outside the United States in the past five years? How many total days did you spend outside the U.S.?
Family and Marital History	Are you currently married? How many times have you been married? Do you have any children? Where do your children live?
Employment and School	Are you currently employed? What is your occupation? Where have you worked or studied in the last five years?
Criminal History and Moral Character	Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime? Have you ever committed a crime for which you were not arrested? Have you ever lied to gain immigration benefits?
Military Service	Have you ever served in the U.S. military? Have you ever deserted from military service? Have you ever been involved in paramilitary or vigilante groups?
Affiliations and Allegiances	Have you ever been a member of any organisation, club, or group? Have you ever been part of a communist or totalitarian party? Do you support the U.S. Constitution and the form of government of the United States?
Oath and Final Questions	Are you willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance? If the law requires it, are you willing to bear arms or perform non-combatant services in the U.S. armed forces?

 

 

Tips to prepare for your N400 interview

 

It can take several months from submitting your application to naturalize as a US citizen to attending your N400 interview. However, it is essential that you use this time to prepare.

At your biometrics appointment, you will be given a study booklet to help you revise for the English and civics tests. There is also an online ‘Citizenship Resource Center’ on the USCIS website, where you will be able to find free study materials to help you prepare for both your interview and tests. These include civics flash cards, videos and interactive practice tests, as well as the location of English and citizenship preparation classes to attend in your local area. Additionally, you can download the civics test mobile app on your phone.

Importantly, when taking the civics test, where applicable, some answers may change because of recent government appointments and elections. You must answer the question with the name of the official that is serving at the time of your N400 interview. As you study for the test, you must ensure that you know the most current answers to these questions, as the interviewing officer will not be able to accept outdated answers. You are also encouraged to respond to questions using the official guideline answers, even though USCIS is aware that there may be alternative correct answers to the civics questions.

 

After your N400 interview

 

Following your N-400 interview, USCIS has 120 days to issue a decision on your application. If a decision is not made within this period, you may request a judicial review in district court.

In some cases, the interviewing officer will not be able to make a decision on the day of your interview, where your case will be continued. This may include an RFE and/or to attend a second interview. If you failed the English or civics test, a second interview within 60-90 days of your first interview will be scheduled to retest you on the failed part. USCIS will deny your application if you fail the test(s) a second time.

If your application is denied, you may request a hearing to appeal this decision, although if you decide not to appeal, or fail to appeal within 30 days of the decision date, the denial decision will be final. Your written notice will set out instructions on how to appeal.

If your application is approved, you will be required to take an oath of allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. USCIS will send you notification of the date, time and location of your oath ceremony. If you cannot attend the ceremony on the day scheduled, you should follow the instructions on your Form N-445 (Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony) on how to notify your local USCIS office and ask for your ceremony to be rescheduled. In some cases, your oath ceremony can take place on the same day as your interview, provided your application is approved. Otherwise, USCIS will schedule this for around 2-6 weeks later.

Prior to attending your scheduled ceremony, you must complete the questions on the reverse of Form N-445 relating to your activity since your N400 interview, such as getting married, travelling outside the US or committing any criminal offence. You will be required to attend your ceremony with your completed questionnaire, along with the other documents listed on the front of that form, including your Permanent Resident Card.

At the oath ceremony, having returned your Green Card and pledged your oath of allegiance, you will be given your ‘Certificate of Naturalization’ and become a US citizen.

 

Need assistance?

 

If you have a query about US naturalization, contact our team of specialist US attorneys.

 

N400 interview FAQs

 

What is the N-400 form used for?

Form N-400 is the application to become a United States citizen through naturalisation. It must be submitted to USCIS either online or by post.

 

How much does it cost to file Form N-400?

As of April 2024, the fee is $710 if filed online and $760 if filed by post. Applicants aged 75 or over are exempt from the biometric fee but pay the full application fee. Reduced fees or full waivers may be available in certain cases.

 

How long does it take to process an N-400 application?

Processing times vary, but most applicants wait several months between filing and attending their interview. You can check current processing times for your local field office on the USCIS website.

 

Do I have to take a test at the interview?

Yes, unless you qualify for an exemption. The test includes an English language assessment (reading, writing and speaking) and a civics test on US history and government.

 

Who is exempt from the English test?

You are exempt from the English test if you are 50 or older and have lived in the US as a lawful permanent resident for 20 years, or if you are 55 or older with 15 years of residency. You must still take the civics test, but you may use an interpreter.

 

What is the simplified civics test?

If you are 65 or older and have lived in the US as a permanent resident for 20 years, you qualify to study from a shorter list of 20 civics questions, which are clearly marked on the official USCIS list.

 

What happens if I fail the interview or the tests?

If you fail the English or civics test, you will be given one more opportunity to retake the failed part, usually within 60 to 90 days. If you fail the second attempt, your application will be denied.

 

Can I bring documents to the interview?

You must bring your appointment notice, Green Card, identification and all passports and travel documents. You should also bring any additional evidence requested by USCIS, or relevant documents to explain any issues raised in your application.

 

When will I become a citizen?

If your application is approved, you will be invited to attend a naturalisation ceremony to take the oath of allegiance. In some cases, this may happen on the same day as your interview, but often it is scheduled within a few weeks.

 

What if I can’t attend the oath ceremony?

You must inform USCIS in writing using the instructions on your Form N-445. Your ceremony will be rescheduled, but failing to attend without notice may result in your application being delayed or withdrawn.

 

Glossary

 

Term	Definition
Naturalisation	The legal process through which a non-US citizen voluntarily becomes a United States citizen.
Form N-400	The application form used to apply for US citizenship through naturalisation.
USCIS	United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The federal agency responsible for overseeing lawful immigration to the United States.
Biometric Appointment	An appointment where USCIS collects fingerprints, a photograph and a signature to verify identity and conduct background checks.
Civics Test	A test assessing knowledge of US government, history and civic values. Required as part of the naturalisation process unless exempt.
English Test	An assessment of reading, writing and speaking ability in English, conducted during the naturalisation interview unless exempt.
Form N-648	The form used to request an exemption from the English and/or civics test based on a qualifying physical or mental disability.
Form N-445	The Notice of Naturalisation Oath Ceremony, which includes the date, time and location of the ceremony and follow-up questions.
Green Card	Common name for a Permanent Resident Card, proving lawful permanent residency in the United States.
Eligibility Tool	An online questionnaire provided by USCIS to help applicants assess whether they may be eligible to apply for naturalisation.
Request for Evidence (RFE)	A formal request from USCIS for additional documentation or information to support a pending application.
Oath of Allegiance	A sworn declaration made during the naturalisation ceremony, pledging loyalty to the United States and renouncing prior allegiances.