US Naturalization Interview: What to Expect, Step by Step

Short answer: At your naturalization interview, a USCIS officer puts you under oath, reviews your Form N-400 with you, and tests your English (reading, writing and speaking) and your civics knowledge. For applications filed on or after 20 October 2025, the officer asks up to 20 civics questions from a list of 128, and you need 12 correct answers. At the end, you receive a written decision notice.

Before the interview

After you file Form N-400, USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment for your fingerprints and photo. Your interview notice arrives later and tells you the date, time and office. Read it carefully: it lists the documents you must bring.

What to bring to the naturalization interview

• Your interview notice
• Your Permanent Resident Card (green card)
• A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s licence
• All passports and travel documents you have used since becoming a permanent resident
• Any documents requested in your notice, such as marriage certificates, tax records or court records

The interview, step by step

1. Check-in and oath. You go through security, wait to be called, and then swear or affirm to tell the truth.
2. Speaking test. Your English speaking ability is assessed throughout the conversation, mainly as you answer questions about your application.
3. N-400 review. The officer goes through your application: your addresses, work history, travel, marital status and the yes-or-no eligibility questions. Answer honestly and tell the officer about any changes since you applied.
4. Reading test. You read sentences aloud in English. You need to read one of up to three sentences correctly.
5. Writing test. You write sentences dictated by the officer. You need to write one of up to three sentences correctly.
6. Civics test. The officer asks civics questions out loud and you answer in your own words. It is not multiple choice.

How the civics test works

The officer stops asking once you reach the pass mark. Some questions ask about officials who represent you, such as your senators and governor, so look them up before your interview. Learn more in our guide to the 2025 civics test changes.

What happens at the end of the interview?

You receive Form N-652, which states the result. It will say that your application is granted, continued (for example, if USCIS needs more documents or you need to retake part of the test), or denied. If you fail a part of the test, you are usually re-tested on just that part within 60 to 90 days.

The oath ceremony

If you are approved, you become a citizen only when you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. Sometimes this happens on the same day; otherwise you receive a notice with a later date. You hand in your green card and receive your Certificate of Naturalization. See what to expect at a citizenship ceremony.

How to prepare for your naturalization interview

1. Re-read your N-400 so that your answers match exactly what you submitted.
2. Practice the civics questions out loud. Use our US citizenship practice test to learn the answers, then say them aloud without looking.
3. Practice reading and writing with the official USCIS vocabulary lists.
4. Arrive early, dressed neatly, with all documents in one folder.

Official sources

• USCIS: Study for the Test

Practice now: take a timed US civics mock exam.