Common Questions at the U.S. Citizenship Interview (and How to Prepare)

At your U.S. citizenship interview, the USCIS officer will ask about what you wrote on your Form N-400, such as your personal information, addresses, jobs, marriage, trips outside the United States, and the “Have you ever...” questions. In the same appointment you take the civics test and the English reading and writing tests, while your ability to speak and understand English is judged through your conversation with the officer.

This article does not tell you how to answer any question on the form. For every N-400 question, answer truthfully.

How does the interview work?

According to the USCIS Policy Manual, everyone who files Form N-400 must appear in person before a USCIS officer. The appointment usually includes these parts, though the order can vary:

1. The officer introduces himself or herself, explains the purpose of the interview, and places you under oath to tell the truth.
2. The officer reviews your N-400, asks about the answers in your application, and asks follow-up questions when something needs to be clarified.
3. Civics test: the officer asks questions from the civics question list out loud.
4. Reading test: you read one English sentence out loud, with up to three tries.
5. Writing test: the officer reads a sentence and you write it in English, with up to three tries.

There is no separate speaking test. The officer judges your speaking and understanding through the questions about your application. At the end, the officer gives you a notice of results, whatever the outcome.

What is on the civics and English tests?

• If you filed your N-400 on or after October 20, 2025: you take the 2025 civics test. The officer asks up to 20 questions from the list of 128, and you must answer 12 correctly.
• If you filed your N-400 before October 20, 2025: you take the 2008 civics test. The officer asks up to 10 questions from the list of 100, and you must answer 6 correctly.
• Reading test: you must read 1 of 3 sentences correctly out loud.
• Writing test: you must write 1 of 3 sentences correctly.

What topics does the officer ask about on the N-400?

According to the USCIS Policy Manual, the officer's questions may include, but are not limited to, these topics:

• Biographical information, including marital history and military service.
• When you became a lawful permanent resident and how long you have been one.
• Absences from the United States after becoming a permanent resident.
• Places of residence and employment history.
• Moral character and any criminal history.
• Affiliations or memberships in certain organizations.
• Loyalty to the United States and attachment to the principles of the Constitution.
• Willingness to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

What are the “Have you ever...” questions?

Part 9 of Form N-400 has many Yes or No questions that begin with “Have you EVER...”. They ask about things such as registering to vote or claiming to be a U.S. citizen, taxes, arrests or criminal charges, service in a military unit or armed group, what you have told U.S. government officers, and Selective Service registration.

The N-400 states that when a question includes the word “EVER,” you must provide information about your actions anywhere in the world, at any time, unless the question says otherwise. At the interview, the officer may ask these questions again in English, so you need to understand each one.

How to prepare for the interview

• Keep a copy of the N-400 you submitted and reread it several times before your interview.
• Learn the meaning of words that appear often on the form, such as “arrested,” “claimed,” “registered,” “taxes,” and “removed.” The goal is to understand what each question is asking, not to memorize answers.
• Ask a family member to read the questions on the form in English at normal speed, then practice saying what each question means.
• Study the civics questions for your version of the test, along with the free USCIS reading and writing vocabulary lists.
• Practice a few phrases for asking the officer to repeat: “Could you please repeat the question?” and “Could you say it in a different way?”

According to the USCIS Policy Manual, you may ask for words to be repeated or rephrased, and you may make some pronunciation, spelling, and grammar errors and still meet the English requirement. So when you do not hear a question clearly, ask the officer to repeat it instead of guessing.

Can I bring a lawyer?

Yes. According to the USCIS Policy Manual, you may have an attorney licensed in the United States or an accredited representative from a DOJ-recognized organization attend your interview. The representative may advise you on points of law, but should not answer questions the officer asks you.

Most interview questions are about your own life. Practicing your listening a little every day, studying the civics questions steadily, and answering truthfully is a good way to prepare for this important day.