What to Bring to Your Citizenship Interview
Last verified against USCIS policy guidance on August 26, 2026.
Some documents are required for every applicant; others only apply to your specific situation. Bringing the wrong set is one of the most common — and most avoidable — reasons interviews get delayed.
Bring these no matter what
Your interview notice (Form I-797C)
Confirms your appointment; some field offices check it at security.
Your Permanent Resident Card (green card)
USCIS collects this at the interview if your application is approved.
A state-issued photo ID or passport
Driver's license, state ID, or passport — for a second form of identity verification.
Any Reentry Permits or Refugee Travel Documents you've held
Even expired ones, if they cover any part of the period since you became a permanent resident.
Bring these if they apply to you
Passports (current and expired) covering your permanent-residence period
Used to verify travel dates against what you listed on Form N-400.
Tax transcripts or returns for the last 3–5 years
Especially if you owe back taxes — bring proof of a payment plan with the IRS.
Certified court dispositions for any arrest, citation, or charge
Required even if the charge was dismissed, expunged, or you were a juvenile — 'no record' is not the same as 'no need to disclose.'
Marriage certificate, divorce decrees, or death certificates for prior marriages
Needed if you're applying under the 3-year marriage-to-a-citizen rule, or to explain a change in marital status since filing.
Child support or alimony payment records
If applicable, to show compliance with any court-ordered obligations — this can factor into the good-moral-character review.
Selective Service registration proof or a Status Information Letter
For male applicants who lived in the U.S. between ages 18–25; see the Selective Service section of the interview-questions guide.
Original documents for any name change
Marriage certificate or court order, if the name on your application differs from your green card.
You don’t need to bring
- A copy of your full N-400 application (the officer has USCIS's copy)
- Character reference letters, unless specifically requested
- Study materials or notes for the civics test — memorize beforehand, you can't bring notes into the test itself
This is general guidance, not legal advice — if your case involves a criminal record, an immigration violation, or a complicated marital history, an immigration attorney can tell you exactly what to bring. For the official list, see USCIS’s interview preparation resources.