Citizenship Interview Questions

Introduction

In 2023, 878,500 legal immigrants became U.S. naturalized citizens. 

An interview is most often the final step of an immigration process. The interview is taken by an officer authorized by the U.S. government. If you clear the interview, you receive the immigration process for which you had petitioned. However, if the officer denies your petition in the interview stage, you will be required to begin the process again. 

While millions of immigrants are eligible to become naturalized citizens, many do not apply, being worried about the interview process. This article will cover everything that you may be asked during the interview process when applying to become a U.S. Citizen.

What Is A U.S. Citizenship Interview?

A U.S. citizenship interview is conducted when you apply to become a citizen of the U.S. It is the final step when filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The questions are asked verbally by the officer (most often a USCIS officer), who checks the correctness of your answers and assesses your knowledge of the U.S. government and the constitution. 

Take a free-eligibility test on FileRight.com before preparing for a citizenship interview to see if you are eligible for U.S. citizenship. 

What Questions May Be Asked In a Citizenship Interview? 

The questions that may be asked in a citizenship interview range from questions related to English, civics, history, and geography of the U.S. Additionally, questions related to your immigration application may be asked. 

While there is no comprehensive list of the questions that may be asked in the personal section, this guide will cover the most common questions raised by the USCIS officer during the citizenship interview and provide the most important questions out of the 100 civics questions.  

What Questions May Be Asked Related To My Application?

1. You may be placed under an oath to answer the questions truthfully. The U.S. officer to test your English understanding and proficiency may ask you questions like
   1. Do you know the meaning of an “oath”? or; 
   2. If a question is related to the pledge of allegiance, whether you know the meaning of “pledge” or “allegiance”?
2. Personal information such as:
   1. What is your name? 
   2. What is your country of origin or home country?
   3. When is your birthday? 
   4. What is your date of birth? 
   5. What is your race?
   6.  What is the color of your eyes? 
   7. Where do you work? 
   8. Where did you complete your schooling? 
3. Information related to civil nature?
   1. Have you paid your taxes on time? 
   2. Have you ever been arrested/detained for any offense or misdemeanor? 
   3. Have you had any legal issues? 
   4. Why do you want to be a U.S. Citizen? 
   5. Do you support the U.S. Constitution?
4. Information related to your relationships:
   1. Is your spouse a U.S. citizen?
   2. How many children do you have?
   3. What do your parents do? 
   4. Are your parents citizens of the U.S.?
5. Information related to military service?
   1. Have you ever served in the military or government of any other country other than the U.S.?
   2. Have you ever served in the U.S. military?
6. Information related to immigration status?
   1. When did you arrive in the U.S.? 
   2. What visa did you apply for to be admitted to the U.S.? 
   3. When did you receive your Green Card or permanent residence status? 
7. Trips Abroad
   1. How many times have you traveled abroad in the past 6 months? 
   2. Which countries have you visited before and after arriving in the U.S.? 

What Questions May Be Asked Related To Civics (History and Government)

In regard to questions related to civics, you may also refer to the resources and question banks provided by the USCIS. In the civics test, the USCIS officer will ask 10 out of 100 questions, and you must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test. 

1. Principles of American Democracy
   1. What does the Constitution do?
   2. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
   3. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
   4. What is the “rule of law”?
2. System of Government
   1. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
   2. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
   3. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
   4. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
3. Rights and Responsibilities
   1. Name one right only for United States citizens.
   2. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
   3. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
4. American History
   1. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
   2. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
   3. When was the Constitution written
   4. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
   5. What did Susan B. Anthony do?
   6. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the U.S.?
5. Geography
   1. What ocean is on the West Coast of the U.S.?
   2. What ocean is on the East Coast of the U.S.?
   3. Name one U.S. territory.
   4. Name one state that borders Mexico.
   5. Where is the Statue of Liberty? 

Conclusion

Sometimes, the answers to the civics portion may be updated or changed, so you must be prepared with the answers that the USCIS considers to be correct. Even if the answer has been changed, if it has not been updated by the USICS, you must follow the answer that they consider to be correct.

Certain questions may have more than one acceptable right answer so you can remember one or more of them. If you have any questions or require any assistance, you may contact the licensed immigration experts at FileRight.com.