The citizenship interview: what they ask and what it means

The interview is in English (unless you qualify to take it in your language). The officer goes over your N-400 with you and gives the civics, reading and writing tests. Here's what you'll hear, step by step, and how to answer.

Material educativo, no es asesoría legal. Las respuestas modelo son de un personaje ficticio: el alumno debe dar SIEMPRE sus propios datos verdaderos, iguales a los de su N-400. Si la respuesta verdadera a una pregunta de la Parte 9 es «Yes», hable con un abogado de inmigración o con un representante acreditado por el Departamento de Justicia (DOJ) antes de la entrevista.

Interview stages

Arriving

The officer says	What it means	You can say
Guadalupe Hernández?	El oficial le llama por su nombre (a veces lo pronuncia mal).	Yes, that's me.
Please follow me.	Sígame, por favor.
Go ahead, it's the second door on the left.	Adelante, es la segunda puerta a la izquierda.	OK.
How are you today?	¿Cómo está hoy?	I'm fine, thank you. And you?
How did you get here today?	¿Cómo llegó hoy?	My daughter drove me.
Did you wait long?	¿Esperó mucho?	No, not too long. About twenty minutes.
Please turn off your cell phone.	Por favor, apague su teléfono celular.	OK. It's off.

The oath to tell the truth

The officer says	What it means	You can say
Please remain standing.	Por favor, quédese de pie.
Please raise your right hand.	Por favor, levante la mano derecha.
Do you swear or affirm that everything you say today will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?	¿Jura o afirma que todo lo que diga hoy será la verdad, toda la verdad y nada más que la verdad?	Yes, I do.
You can put your hand down. Please have a seat.	Puede bajar la mano. Siéntese, por favor.	Thank you.
What did you just promise?	¿Qué acaba de prometer? (comprueba si entendió el juramento)	I promised to tell the truth.

Getting started

The officer says	What it means	You can say
Do you know why you are here today?	¿Sabe por qué está aquí hoy?	Yes. For my citizenship interview.

Your documents

The officer says	What it means	You can say
May I see your appointment letter, your green card, and your passport or ID?	¿Me deja ver su carta de cita, su green card y su pasaporte o identificación?	Yes. Here they are.
Do you have any other passports?	¿Tiene otros pasaportes?	No, only this one.
Did you bring any other documents?	¿Trajo otros documentos?	Yes. I brought my tax transcripts and my marriage certificate.
Please put your finger on the scanner.	Ponga el dedo en el lector de huellas.
Please look at the camera.	Mire a la cámara, por favor.

Reviewing your N-400

The officer says	What it means	You can say
Now let's go over your application.	Ahora vamos a revisar su solicitud.	OK.
Is there anything you want to change on your application?	¿Hay algo que quiera cambiar en su solicitud?	Yes, I have a new phone number. / No, everything is correct.
Can you spell that for me?	¿Me lo puede deletrear?	Sure. M - A - P - L - E.
Could you speak up a little?	¿Puede hablar un poco más fuerte?	Yes, sorry.

The yes-or-no questions (Part 9)

The officer says	What it means	You can say
Now I'm going to ask you some yes-or-no questions.	Ahora le voy a hacer unas preguntas de sí o no.	OK.
Please answer yes or no.	Por favor, conteste sí o no.	No.
What does 'arrested' mean?	¿Qué significa «arrested»? (comprueba si entiende la palabra)	It means the police take you to jail.
Tell me about that.	Cuénteme sobre eso. (después de un «Yes»)	In 2019 I got a speeding ticket. I paid it. Here is the paper.
Why did you answer yes to that question?	¿Por qué contestó sí a esa pregunta?	Because I did my military service in Mexico.
Are you sure?	¿Está segura?	Yes, I'm sure. / Sorry, can you repeat the question?

Signatures

The officer says	What it means	You can say
Please sign your name here, inside the box.	Por favor, firme aquí, dentro del recuadro.
It didn't come out. Please sign again.	No salió. Por favor, firme otra vez.	OK.
Please sign on the screen with this pen.	Firme en la pantalla con este lápiz.
By signing, you swear that everything on your application is true, including today's changes.	Al firmar, jura que todo lo de su solicitud es verdad, incluidos los cambios de hoy. (Parte 15)	I understand.
This signature says you are willing to take the Oath of Allegiance.	Esta firma dice que está dispuesta a hacer el Juramento de Lealtad. (Parte 16)	OK.

The tests

The officer says	What it means	You can say
Now I will give you a reading test. Please read this sentence out loud.	Ahora le haré la prueba de lectura. Lea esta oración en voz alta.
Now please write the sentence I say.	Ahora escriba la oración que yo le diga.
Now I'm going to ask you some civics questions.	Ahora le voy a hacer unas preguntas de cívica.	OK, I'm ready.
Take your time.	Tómese su tiempo.	Thank you.
Hold on a second.	Espere un momento.

Wrapping up

The officer says	What it means	You can say
Congratulations, you passed the tests.	Felicidades, aprobó los exámenes.	Thank you very much!
I am recommending your case for approval.	Voy a recomendar que aprueben su caso.	Thank you. When is the ceremony?
Here is your N-652. It shows the results of your interview.	Aquí tiene su N-652: es la hoja con el resultado de su entrevista. Guárdela.	Thank you.
You will get a letter in the mail with the date of your oath ceremony.	Le llegará una carta por correo con la fecha de su ceremonia de juramento.	OK. Thank you.
Can you stay for the ceremony this afternoon?	¿Se puede quedar a la ceremonia esta tarde?	Yes, I can.
Your case is continued. I need more documents from you.	Su caso queda pendiente («continued»): necesito más documentos.	OK. What documents do you need?
This is an N-14. It lists the documents you need to send us, and the deadline.	Esto es un N-14: la lista de documentos que debe enviar y la fecha límite.	I understand. I will send them.
A decision cannot be made yet.	Todavía no se puede tomar una decisión.	OK. What happens now?
You did not pass the English test today. You will have a second chance. We will send you a new appointment.	Hoy no aprobó la prueba de inglés. Tendrá otra oportunidad (otra cita, normalmente en unos 60 a 90 días). Solo repetirá la parte que no aprobó.	OK. Thank you. Which part did I fail?
Bring your green card to the ceremony. You will give it back.	Lleve su green card a la ceremonia: la tendrá que devolver.	OK.
Do you have any questions?	¿Tiene alguna pregunta?	No, thank you. / Yes, when is the ceremony?
That's all. You're free to go.	Eso es todo. Ya se puede ir.	Thank you. Have a nice day.

Lifeline phrases (25)

Asking the officer to repeat isn't failing. Use these when you don't understand; it's much better than guessing.

English
Can you repeat the question, please?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
Sorry, I can't hear you. Can you speak a little louder?
Can you say it in a different way?
What does 'detained' mean?
I'm sorry, I don't understand.
I don't understand that word.
Do you mean the police took me?
One moment, please. Let me think.
I'm sorry, I'm a little nervous.
Sorry, can I start again?
Excuse me, I want to correct my answer.
I need to update my application. My address changed.
I'm not sure. Can you explain the question?
Yes. Can I explain?
Yes, and I have the documents here.
That doesn't apply to me.
I don't remember the exact date. It was around 2019.
Let me spell it for you.
Where do I sign?
Where should I sit?
Did I pass?
What happens now?
When is the ceremony?
Thank you for your time.

Personal N-400 questions

The officer reviews your N-400 and asks the same things in different ways. Always answer with your own true information, matching your N-400. Sample answers are from a made-up character.

What is your full name?

You may also hear: What's your legal name? · Please state your name. · Can you tell me your name?

Sample answer: My name is Guadalupe Hernández López. People call me Lupe.

Follow-ups: Can you spell your last name? · How do you spell your first name? · Is that your name on your green card? · Which one is your last name?

N-400: Part 2, Item 1

Have you used any other names?

You may also hear: Have you ever used a different name? · Any other names, like a maiden name? · Did you ever go by another name?

Sample answer: Yes. Before I got married, my name was Guadalupe López Ramírez.

Follow-ups: When did you change it? · Why did you change your name? · Did you use that name in the United States? · Have you used any nicknames on official papers?

N-400: Part 2, Item 2

Do you want to change your name?

You may also hear: Would you like to legally change your name? · Do you want to keep the same name? · How do you want your name to appear on your certificate?

Sample answer: No, thank you. I want to keep my name.

Follow-ups: Please confirm the spelling for your certificate. · What name do you want to use?

N-400: Part 2, Item 3

What is your date of birth?

You may also hear: When were you born? · What's your birthday? · Date of birth?

Sample answer: I was born on March 14, 1971.

Follow-ups: How old are you? · Have you used any other date of birth? · Can you say that again, month, day, and year?

N-400: Part 2, Item 6

How old are you?

You may also hear: What is your age?

Sample answer: I am 55 years old.

Follow-ups: When is your birthday?

N-400: Part 2, Item 6

Where were you born?

You may also hear: What country were you born in? · What is your country of birth? · Where are you from?

Sample answer: I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Follow-ups: Can you spell that? · What is your country of citizenship? · Are you a citizen of any other country?

N-400: Part 2, Item 8

What is your nationality?

You may also hear: What country are you a citizen of? · Do you have citizenship in any other country?

Sample answer: I am a citizen of Mexico.

Follow-ups: Do you have a passport from Mexico? · Are you a citizen of any other country?

N-400: Part 2, Item 9

When did you become a permanent resident?

You may also hear: When did you get your green card? · How did you get your green card? · How long have you been a permanent resident?

Sample answer: I got my green card in June 2015. My sister petitioned for me.

Follow-ups: How long have you been a resident? · How old were you when you got your green card? · When did you first come to the United States? · May I see your green card?

N-400: Part 2, Item 7

What is your address?

You may also hear: Where do you live? · What's your current address? · Where are you living now?

Sample answer: I live at 1427 Maple Street, Apartment 3B, Houston, Texas, 77036.

Follow-ups: How long have you lived there? · Can you spell the name of your street? · Who lives with you? · Is that also your mailing address? · Do you rent or own?

N-400: Part 4, Item 1

How long have you lived there?

You may also hear: How long have you lived at this address? · When did you move there? · Since when do you live there?

Sample answer: I have lived there for six years, since 2020.

Follow-ups: Where did you live before that? · Why did you move?

N-400: Part 4, Item 1

Where did you live before?

You may also hear: What was your previous address? · Where did you live before that? · Have you lived anywhere else in the last five years?

Sample answer: Before that, I lived at 830 Oak Avenue in Pasadena, Texas, from 2015 to 2020.

Follow-ups: Why did you move? · How long did you live there?

N-400: Part 4, Item 1

Why did you move?

You may also hear: Why did you change addresses? · What made you move?

Sample answer: We moved because we needed a bigger apartment and it is closer to my job.

Follow-ups: Who moved with you?

N-400: Part 4

Is your mailing address the same?

You may also hear: Where do you get your mail? · Do you receive mail at the same address?

Sample answer: Yes, it's the same address.

Follow-ups: Do you have a P.O. box?

N-400: Part 4, Items 2-3

What is your phone number?

You may also hear: What's the best number to reach you? · Do you have an email address? · Is this still your phone number?

Sample answer: My phone number is 713-555-0142. My email is lupe.hernandez@example.com.

Follow-ups: Can you spell your email? · Is that a cell phone? · Can we call you at that number?

N-400: Part 11, Items 1-3

What is your Social Security number?

You may also hear: What are the last four digits of your Social Security number? · Do you want a new Social Security card?

Sample answer: The last four numbers are 4 - 8 - 1 - 6.

Follow-ups: Do you want the Social Security office to update your status? · Do you want a new card?

N-400: Part 2, Item 12.b

How tall are you?

You may also hear: What is your height? · How much do you weigh? · What color are your eyes? · What color is your hair?

Sample answer: I am five feet two inches tall. I weigh 150 pounds. My eyes are brown and my hair is black.

Follow-ups: Is that still correct? · Has your weight changed?

N-400: Part 3

What is your ethnicity?

You may also hear: Are you Hispanic or Latino? · What is your race?

Sample answer: I am Hispanic. For race, I checked White.

Follow-ups: Is that correct on your application?

N-400: Part 3, Items 1-2

Where do you work?

You may also hear: What do you do for a living? · Are you working? · Who is your employer? · What is your job?

Sample answer: I work for Bright Star Cleaning. I am a housekeeper.

Follow-ups: How long have you worked there? · What do you do there? · Full time or part time? · What is the name of the company? · Where is it?

N-400: Part 7

What do you do at your job?

You may also hear: What are your duties? · Tell me about your job. · What does a housekeeper do?

Sample answer: I clean offices. I vacuum, mop the floors, clean the bathrooms, and take out the trash.

Follow-ups: What hours do you work? · Do you like your job?

N-400: Part 7

How long have you worked there?

You may also hear: When did you start working there? · Since when do you work there?

Sample answer: I have worked there for eight years, since 2018.

Follow-ups: Where did you work before?

N-400: Part 7

Where did you work before?

You may also hear: What was your last job? · Have you had any other jobs in the last five years? · Were you ever unemployed?

Sample answer: Before that, I cleaned houses. I was self-employed from 2015 to 2018.

Follow-ups: Did you pay taxes when you were self-employed? · Were there any times you were not working?

N-400: Part 7

Are you going to school?

You may also hear: Did you go to school? · How many years of school do you have? · Did you study English?

Sample answer: I finished middle school in Mexico. Now I take free English classes at night at the library.

Follow-ups: Where did you learn English? · How long have you studied English?

N-400: Part 7

Have you traveled outside the United States in the last five years?

You may also hear: Have you left the country since you got your green card? · How many trips have you taken outside the U.S.? · Any trips outside the country?

Sample answer: Yes, I took two trips to Mexico.

Follow-ups: When was your last trip? · How long were you there? · Why did you go? · Have you ever stayed outside the U.S. for more than six months?

N-400: Part 8

When was your last trip?

You may also hear: When did you last leave the United States? · Tell me about your last trip.

Sample answer: My last trip was to Mexico. I left on December 15, 2024, and I came back on January 5, 2025. I visited my mother.

Follow-ups: How many days were you outside the U.S.? · What was the purpose of your trip? · Where did you stay?

N-400: Part 8

Why did you go?

You may also hear: What was the purpose of your trip? · What did you do there? · Was it for vacation or for family?

Sample answer: I went to visit my mother. She is old and she lives in Guadalajara.

Follow-ups: Who did you visit?

N-400: Part 8

Have you ever been outside the U.S. for more than six months?

You may also hear: Did you ever stay out of the country for six months or longer? · What was your longest trip?

Sample answer: No. My longest trip was three weeks.

Follow-ups: Do you plan to travel soon?

N-400: Part 8

Do you plan to travel soon?

You may also hear: Are you going to travel before your ceremony? · Any trips planned?

Sample answer: No, not right now. Maybe next year to visit my mother.

N-400: Part 8

What is your marital status?

You may also hear: Are you married? · Are you married, single, divorced, or widowed? · Are you still married?

Sample answer: I am married.

Follow-ups: What is your husband's name? · When did you get married? · Where did you get married? · Do you live together?

N-400: Part 5, Item 1

What is your spouse's name?

You may also hear: What's your husband's name? · What is your wife's name? · Who is your spouse?

Sample answer: My husband's name is Carlos Hernández Ruiz.

Follow-ups: When is his birthday? · When did you get married? · Does he live with you? · Where does he work?

N-400: Part 5, Item 4

When did you get married?

You may also hear: What is the date of your marriage? · Where did you get married? · How long have you been married?

Sample answer: We got married on August 5, 1995, in Guadalajara, Mexico. We have been married for 31 years.

Follow-ups: Do you have your marriage certificate?

N-400: Part 5, Item 4.c

Is your husband a U.S. citizen?

You may also hear: What is your spouse's immigration status? · Is your wife a citizen or a resident? · When did your spouse become a citizen?

Sample answer: No. My husband is a permanent resident. He has a green card.

Follow-ups: Is he applying for citizenship too? · What is his A-number? · Where was he born?

N-400: Part 5, Items 5-6

How many times have you been married?

You may also hear: Have you been married before? · Is this your first marriage? · Were you ever divorced?

Sample answer: Only one time. This is my first marriage.

Follow-ups: How many times has your husband been married? · Have you ever been divorced?

N-400: Part 5, Item 3

How many times has your spouse been married?

You may also hear: Was your husband married before?

Sample answer: Only one time, with me.

N-400: Part 5, Item 7

Is your spouse in the military?

You may also hear: Is your husband in the U.S. armed forces?

Sample answer: No, he is not.

N-400: Part 5, Item 2

Do you have any children?

You may also hear: How many children do you have? · Do you have kids? · Do you have any children under 18?

Sample answer: Yes, I have two children, a son and a daughter. They are adults now.

Follow-ups: What are their names? · How old are they? · Where do they live? · Do any of them live with you? · Do you have any children under 18?

N-400: Part 6

What are their names?

You may also hear: How old are your children? · Where do your children live? · Where were they born?

Sample answer: My son Daniel is 28. He was born in Mexico and he lives in Dallas. My daughter Sofía is 24. She was born here in Houston, and she lives with us.

Follow-ups: Are they U.S. citizens? · Are they your biological children? · Do you support them?

N-400: Part 6, Item 2

How many children under 18 do you have?

You may also hear: Do you have any minor children?

Sample answer: None. My children are 28 and 24.

N-400: Part 6, Item 1

Are your parents U.S. citizens?

You may also hear: Was your mother or father a U.S. citizen before you turned 18? · Where do your parents live?

Sample answer: No. My parents are not U.S. citizens. My mother lives in Mexico. My father passed away.

Follow-ups: Were your parents married when you were born?

N-400: Part 2, Item 10

Do you have a disability that prevents you from taking the test?

You may also hear: Did you request any accommodations?

Sample answer: No, I don't.

N-400: Part 2, Item 11

Why are you applying for citizenship?

You may also hear: How are you eligible? · Are you applying based on five years as a resident? · Why do you want to become a citizen?

Sample answer: I have been a permanent resident for more than five years. I want to vote and be part of this country.

Follow-ups: How long have you been a resident? · Have you lived in this state for at least three months?

N-400: Part 1

Has anything changed since you filed your application?

You may also hear: Do you need to make any changes to your application? · Is all the information still correct? · Since you applied, have you moved, traveled, or been arrested?

Sample answer: Yes, one thing. I have a new phone number. It is 713-555-0199.

Follow-ups: Anything else? · Have you traveled since you filed? · Have you been arrested or cited since you filed?

N-400: Todo el formulario

Did anyone help you fill out your application?

You may also hear: Who prepared your application? · Did you fill out this form yourself? · Did a lawyer help you?

Sample answer: Yes, a woman at a community organization helped me. I read and understood all of it.

Follow-ups: Did you understand all the questions? · Did you review your answers before you signed?

N-400: Part 13

Do you file taxes every year?

You may also hear: Did you file your taxes? · Do you have your tax transcripts?

Sample answer: Yes, I file my taxes every year. Here are my tax transcripts.

Follow-ups: Do you owe any taxes? · Did you file as a resident?

N-400: Part 9, Items 3-4

The 65 yes-or-no questions (Part 9) →

Hard N-400 words

Word	In plain English
arrested	The police took you and held you.
cited	The police gave you a ticket or a paper to go to court.
detained	Police or immigration stopped you and kept you for some time.
confined	Kept in a place and not free to leave.
charged (with a crime)	The police or a court said officially that you did a crime.
convicted	A judge or jury said you are guilty.
pled guilty	You told the judge, 'Yes, I did it.'
crime	Something bad that is against the law.
offense	Breaking a law. It can be big or small.
law enforcement officer	A police officer, sheriff, or other officer who makes people follow the law.
probation	Instead of jail, the judge lets you stay free, but you must follow rules and report to an officer.
parole	You leave jail early, but you must follow rules and report to an officer.
suspended sentence	The judge gives a punishment but says you don't have to do it now if you behave.
sentence	The punishment a judge gives you.
pardon	The government forgives your crime.
expunged / sealed	The record was erased or hidden by a court.
diversion program	A program you do instead of going to trial, like classes or community service.
DUI	Driving after drinking alcohol or using drugs.
owe (taxes)	You must still pay money.
overdue	Late. You did not pay on time.
tax return	The papers you send every year to the IRS about your money and taxes.
nonresident	A person who does not live in the U.S.
alien	A person who is not a U.S. citizen.
claim (to be a citizen)	To say something is true about you.
register to vote	To put your name on the list of voters.
election	When people vote to choose leaders.
Communist	A party or system where the government owns and controls almost everything.
totalitarian	A government that controls everything and allows only one party.
dictatorship	A country ruled by one person or group with total power, without free elections.
overthrow	To take away the government by force.
advocate	To support an idea and tell others to support it.
sabotage	To break or destroy something on purpose to cause problems.
terrorist	A person who uses violence to scare people for political reasons.
weapon	Something to hurt people, like a gun or a knife.
explosive	A thing that can blow up, like a bomb.
kidnapping	Taking a person away by force.
assassination	Killing an important person, like a leader.
hijacking	Taking control of a plane, bus, or ship by force.
conspire	To make a secret plan with others to do something bad.
incite	To push or encourage people to do something bad.
torture	Hurting someone very badly on purpose.
genocide	Killing a group of people because of who they are, like their race or religion.
persecute	To hurt or punish people because of their race, religion, or ideas.
consent	To say yes; to agree.
military unit	A group of soldiers in an army.
militia	A group of regular people with guns who act like soldiers.
paramilitary	A group that acts like an army but is not the real army.
armed group	A group of people who carry weapons.
self-defense unit	People with guns who say they protect their town.
vigilante	A person who punishes others without the police or a judge.
rebel	A person who fights against the government.
guerrilla	A small armed group that fights the government, often from the mountains.
detention facility	A place where people are locked up and can't leave.
labor camp	A place where people are forced to work and can't leave.
prison camp	A camp where prisoners of war or political prisoners are kept.
recruit	To ask or get someone to join a group.
enlist	To sign up for the army.
conscript	To force someone to join the army.
hostilities	Fighting; war.
smuggle	To bring people or things into a country secretly and illegally.
traffic (drugs/people)	To buy, sell, or move drugs or people illegally.
controlled substance	A drug the law controls, like illegal drugs or some medicines without a prescription.
drug paraphernalia	Things used to take or sell drugs, like pipes or needles.
prostitution	Having sex for money.
procure	To get or find something or someone.
gamble	To bet money on a game.
child support	Money a parent must pay to help their children, usually after a divorce.
alimony	Money a judge says you must pay your ex-husband or ex-wife.
dependents	People you must take care of with money, like your children.
misrepresentation	Saying something false to get something.
public benefit	Help from the government, like food stamps or Medicaid.
fraudulent	Fake; made to trick people.
misleading	Making someone believe something that is not true.
polygamy	Being married to more than one person at the same time.
immigration benefit	Papers from immigration, like a visa or a green card.
deport / removal	The government makes you leave the country.
proceedings	A case in court.
rescission	When the government takes back your green card.
exclusion	When the government does not let you come into the country.
Selective Service	A list of men 18 to 25 who could be called to the army if there is a war.
draft	When the government makes people join the army.
exemption	Permission not to do something that others must do.
armed forces	The army, navy, air force, marines, space force, and coast guard.
desert	To leave the military without permission.
court-martial	A trial in a military court.
discharge	When you leave the military. 'Honorable' means good.
hereditary title	A special name from your family, like king, prince, or duke.
nobility	Kings, queens, princes, and other royal families.
Constitution	The supreme law of the United States.
form of government	The way a country is run.
oath	A serious promise.
allegiance	Loyalty to a country.
loyal	Faithful; you support someone or something.
renounce	To give up something officially.
abjure	To give up a loyalty or belief, very seriously.
bear arms	To carry weapons to defend the country.
noncombatant	Helping the military without fighting.
civilian	A person who is not in the military.
work of national importance	Important work for the country that is not military.
willing	Ready and happy to do something.
unable	Cannot.
habitual drunkard	A person who is drunk very often.
under penalty of perjury	If you lie, you are breaking the law.
swear / affirm	To promise seriously. 'Affirm' is the same promise without God.
lawful permanent resident	A person with a green card.
naturalization	The way to become a U.S. citizen if you were born in another country.
eligible	Allowed; you meet the rules.
marital status	If you are married, single, divorced, or widowed.
spouse	Your husband or your wife.
annulled	A marriage that a court says never legally existed.
widowed	Your husband or wife died.
assault	Attacking or hitting someone.
intentionally	On purpose.
ever	At any time in your life, anywhere in the world.

Next: the reading and writing test · the civics questions · what to bring

Official sources:

Form N-400, edition 01/20/25.

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