Interview day

What to bring and what the officer will do.

What to bring

• Your interview appointment notice.
• Your Permanent Resident Card (green card).
• A state-issued ID, such as a driver’s license.
• All your passports and travel documents, current and expired.
• Any other documents listed on your appointment notice. These depend on your case, for example marriage or divorce records, tax records, or court records.

Arrive early. Expect a security check at the entrance.

What happens

1. You promise to tell the truth. The officer asks you to stand, raise your right hand and swear to tell the truth.
2. The officer reviews your N-400 with you. You will be asked about your background, your trips abroad, your work and family, and the yes/no questions on the form. This conversation is also your speaking test, so read your own N-400 again before the interview and make sure you understand every question on it.
3. Reading test. You read one sentence out loud. You get up to three tries with different sentences. Practice reading.
4. Writing test. The officer says a sentence and you write it. You get up to three tries with different sentences. Practice writing.
5. Civics test. The officer asks the questions out loud and you answer out loud. The officer stops when you have enough correct answers to pass. Take a practice test.
6. Result. The officer gives you a notice with the results of your interview, and tells you if anything more is needed.

Tips

• If you do not understand a question, say so. You may ask the officer to repeat or rephrase it.
• Answer truthfully, even if an answer has changed since you filed. Tell the officer about any changes.
• Check the names of current officials on the USCIS test updates page the week of your interview. They can change.
• Practice answering civics questions out loud, not only in your head.

Source: USCIS, The Naturalization Interview and Test.