The USCIS Naturalization Interview

As part of the citizenship application, applicants are required to attend an interview with U.S. immigration services, during which an officer will go over the applicant’s application and relevant paperwork. For applicants without a language exemption, the interview will be conducted in English, and the applicant will be expected to understand the officer’s questions and answer them in English. The officer will also administer an English reading, English writing, and American civics test.

Click here for a sample video of a USCIS Naturalization interview.

Interview Preparation

Project Citizenship provides study materials to our clients to help them prepare for the naturalization interview. Although we do not offer citizenship classes, we provide referrals to organizations who host classes throughout Massachusetts.

Prepare for the Test: Speaking English

The USCIS officer will conduct the interview in English and the applicant is expected to answer in English.

Prepare for the Test: Reading English

The USCIS officer will give the applicant three sentences to read in English. The applicant must be able to read one of these sentences.

Sample vocabulary for the English reading test can be found here.

Prepare for the Test: English Writing

The USCIS officer will give the applicant three sentences to write in English. The applicant must be able to write one of these sentences.

Sample vocabulary for the English writing test can be found here.

Prepare for the Test: Civics Test

For citizenship application, the USCIS officer will ask the applicant 10 civics questions. The applicant must answer to at least 6 out of 10 questions correctly. There are 100 possible questions. For the full list of possible questions, click here.

The answers to some questions may change because of elections or appointments. For example, the answer to the question “What is the name of the President of the United States now?” will change based on the president serving at the time of the applicant’s interview. For the answers to these specific questions, click here.

For more information on the civics exam click here.

Sample Civics Questions

Q: What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

A: Louisiana

Q: How many amendments does the Constitution have?

A: 27

Exemptions and Exceptions

Some applicants may be exempt from the English language requirement based on age and how long they had their green card. Furthermore, applicants with a disability or a mental impairment may be eligible for an exception to the naturalization exam. For more information click here.