Your naturalization interview is the day USCIS decides whether you're ready to become a U.S. citizen. Here is exactly what happens, step by step.
What happens on interview day
Check in and take the oath
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. At the USCIS office you check in with your interview notice, a USCIS officer places you under oath to tell the truth, and verifies your identity with your green card and photo ID.
Review of your N-400
The officer goes through your Form N-400 answers with you. Confirm everything is still accurate and mention anything that changed since you filed — new address, travel abroad, a new job, arrests, or a change in your marital status. Hand over any original documents your interview notice asked for.
The English test
Speaking is judged throughout the interview itself, from how you answer. Reading: you must read 1 of 3 sentences aloud correctly. Writing: you must write 1 of 3 sentences as the officer dictates it. If you qualify under the 50/20 or 55/15 rules, the English test is waived and civics can be taken in your language with an interpreter.
The civics test
The civics test is oral — no answer choices. Which version applies depends on when you filed your N-400 (see below). Answers about current officials must match who holds the job on your interview day.
The decision
Right away or a few days later, you receive one of three outcomes: granted (Oath ceremony follows), continued (you get a retest, see below), or denied (in rare cases the decision is reviewed by an officer's supervisor).
The 2025 format change: which civics test do you take?
USCIS introduced a new civics test for N-400 applications filed on or after October 20, 2025. The version you take depends on your filing date, not your interview date.
| 2025 test | 2008 test |
|---|---|
| Who takes itFiled Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 | Who takes itFiled before October 20, 2025 |
| Question pool128 official questions | Question pool100 official questions |
| How it worksThe officer asks up to 20 questions | How it worksThe officer asks 10 questions |
| To pass12 correct | To pass6 correct |
| Early stopStops once you reach 12 right or 9 wrong | Early stopStops after 10 questions |
Both versions are oral and both stop early once the outcome is decided. Whichever you take, you can rehearse the exact pool on this site with the version picker at the top of every page.
What if you don't pass?
Failing one part is not the end. USCIS schedules a second interview, usually within 60–90 days of the first one. You are only retested on the part you failed — if the English test went well but civics didn't, the retest covers civics only. Failing the retest leads to denial of that application, but you can file a new N-400 later. A denied application does not cancel your permanent residence.
Interview day tips
- ✓Bring your interview notice, green card, passport, and any original court or police records your notice lists.
- ✓Officials change — answer the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, your senators, and your representative with whoever holds the job on interview day.
- ✓State questions (governor, capital, senators) must be answered for YOUR state, not the state you studied from.
- ✓If you don't understand a question, it's fine to say "Could you please repeat the question?" Asking to repeat never counts against you.
- ✓Practice out loud in English — the test is spoken, not written.
- ✓Applicants 65+ with 20 years as a permanent resident (65/20) study only the 20 starred questions and may take civics in their own language.
- ✓Don't rush. There is no time limit on the test, so take a moment before answering.
- ✓Tell the truth under the oath — dishonesty on the application is a bigger risk than an imperfect English answer.