What happens during a naturalization interview?

If you want to become a citizen of the U.S., there are many steps you must take to officially complete this process. After you complete your citizenship application and attend your biometrics appointment, you must attend a naturalization interview.

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the first part of your naturalization interview involves a meeting with a USCIS officer. The officer will ask you questions about your background and your immigration application. Once you finish this part of the interview, you will take a civics test and an English test.

The English and civics tests

Unless you qualify for a waiver or an exemption, you must take both the English and civics test. The English test has parts that cover speaking, reading and writing. The civics test goes over important government and U.S. history topics. To pass the most current version of the civics test, you must answer at least 12 out of the 20 questions asked correctly.

If you do not pass

You get two separate chances to take the civics and English tests, as well as answer the questions asked by the USCIS officer. If you fail any part of this process, you do not have to redo all parts. Instead, you can redo the part of the interview that you failed within 60 to 90 days following your initial interview date.

As you attempt to answer questions during your naturalization interview, do not be afraid to ask the USCIS officer to repeat the question or say it slower. You may be more successful if you fully grasp the questions asked before answering.