What is an interview?

The naturalization interview is a face-to-face meeting between the applicant and a USCIS officer to review Form N-400, administer the English and civics tests, and determine the applicant's eligibility for citizenship. The interview takes place at a designated USCIS field office (USCIS operates 88 field offices in the United States and several abroad) and typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes. After checking in at security and the front desk, the applicant is called by name to the officer's office or an interview room.

The officer first administers an oath that the applicant will tell the truth (raise your right hand and swear or affirm that all statements you make today will be true), then reviews Form N-400 line by line, asking the applicant to confirm or correct each answer. The officer pays particular attention to the applicant's biographical information, residence and employment history for the past five years, marital and parental history, time outside the United States, military service, criminal history, allegiance, and good moral character. During the review, the officer is also informally assessing the applicant's English speaking and understanding ability, which is part of the section 312 English requirement.

The officer then administers the civics test (up to ten questions, must answer six correctly), the English reading test (up to three sentences, must read one correctly), and the English writing test (up to three sentences, must write one correctly), unless the applicant qualifies for a language exception or has an approved Form N-648 medical disability waiver. The officer reviews supporting documents (passport, green card, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, tax records, court records, etc.) and may request additional documents through Form N-14 (Request for Additional Information).

At the end of the interview, the officer gives the applicant Form N-652, Notice of Examination Results, indicating whether the applicant passed the English and civics tests and whether the application is recommended for approval, continued, or denied. Approved cases proceed to the oath ceremony; continued cases require additional evidence or a re-examination; denied cases trigger appeal rights under Form N-336.