During the citizenship interview, a USCIS officer asks about your N-400 application, tests your English ability, and asks civics questions from the official USCIS question list. The interview has three main parts, and everything you say is under oath. Knowing what to expect helps you walk in prepared and confident.
Last verified August 31, 2026. The interview format and document guidance below are based on USCIS naturalization materials. Your officer may ask follow-up questions based on your application and records.
Citizenship Interview Questions at a Glance
| Interview part | What USCIS evaluates |
|---|---|
| N-400 review | Your application, background, eligibility, and any corrections or updates. |
| English test | Speaking during the interview plus separate reading and writing exercises, unless exempt. |
| Civics test | Oral questions from the official test version assigned by your N-400 filing date. |
Part 1: The N-400 Application Review
The officer goes through your Form N-400 and asks about the information you provided. Expect questions about:
- Your full name, date of birth, and address history
- Your travel outside the United States (dates, destinations, duration)
- Your employment history
- Your marital status and family information
- Moral character questions (arrests, citations, taxes, Selective Service registration, involvement with any groups or organizations)
The officer may ask you to explain or clarify any answer. For example, if you listed a long trip abroad, the officer may ask why you traveled and how long you stayed. Answer honestly, because this entire portion is conducted under oath.
Part 2: The English Test
According to USCIS, the English test evaluates three skills:
- Reading: You read one sentence aloud from a written prompt
- Writing: You write one sentence that the officer dictates to you
- Speaking: The officer evaluates your spoken English throughout the conversation
You do not need perfect English. USCIS is checking whether you can demonstrate a basic understanding of everyday words and phrases.
Part 3: The Civics Test
The officer asks you questions about U.S. government and history from the official USCIS study materials. On the 2008 test, the officer asks up to 10 questions and you need 6 correct to pass. On the 2025 test, the officer asks up to 20 questions and you need 12 correct. The officer stops asking once you reach the passing score.
All civics questions are asked and answered orally. You do not write your answers or choose from multiple options.
What About the Yes/No Questions?
A large section of the N-400 contains yes/no questions about your background, including whether you have ever committed a crime, claimed to be a U.S. citizen, failed to file taxes, or been deported. The officer reads these questions to you during the interview, and you answer each one. These questions also count toward the English speaking evaluation.
Can You Ask the Officer to Repeat a Question?
You may politely ask the officer to repeat a question if you did not hear or understand it. Answer truthfully and do not guess about facts in your application. The officer still determines whether your responses satisfy the applicable English and eligibility requirements.
What Happens After the Questions?
After completing the N-400 review, English test, and civics test, the officer may tell you your result on the spot or inform you that your case requires additional review. In many cases, you will know whether you passed before leaving the office.
How to Prepare for What USCIS Asks
The best way to prepare is to review your N-400 so you can answer application questions without hesitation, and to practice civics questions out loud until the answers come naturally. Citizenry's mock interviews simulate the full USCIS interview experience, combining N-400 review questions, English practice, and civics questions so nothing catches you off guard on interview day.
Experiences from Citizenry Users
These quotations are from five-star reviews we verified through the App Store Connect API on August 31, 2026. They describe individual experiences; Citizenry does not guarantee that any person will pass the test.
“The mock interviews with speech recognition helped me a lot to practice for the civics test. … Practicing with citizenry I passed the interview.”
“The app's practice interview simulations really helped. I did one practice interview every day and did not feel nervous at the actual naturalization interview.”
Related Articles
- How to Prepare for the N-400 Interview
- What to Bring to Your Citizenship Interview
- How to Pass the US Citizenship Test
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