N-400 Interview Questions
Last verified against USCIS policy guidance on August 26, 2026.
Most people preparing for naturalization focus entirely on the civics test, but the interview itself is built around one thing first: the officer reviewing your Form N-400 answers under oath. These aren’t trick questions — they’re the same questions you already answered on paper, asked out loud to confirm nothing has changed and nothing was left out.
Eligibility & residence
The officer confirms the basic eligibility facts on your N-400 haven't changed since you filed.
Have you resided continuously in the United States since becoming a permanent resident?
Answer based on your actual travel history. Trips longer than 6 months can raise a continuity-of-residence question — bring documentation if you had one.
How long have you lived at your current address?
State the actual date you moved in. If you've moved since filing Form N-400, mention the updated address — you're required to report address changes to USCIS anyway.
Have you been outside the United States since becoming a permanent resident? For how long, and where did you go?
The officer is checking this against the trip list you provided on Form N-400 Part 8. Keep that list handy and be consistent with what you wrote.
Marriage & family (if applying through marriage)
If you're eligible through a 3-year marriage to a U.S. citizen rather than the standard 5-year residence rule, expect closer questions here.
Are you still married to, and living with, the same U.S. citizen spouse?
This must be true both when you filed and at the interview if you're applying under the 3-year marriage-based rule.
Do you have any children? Where do they live?
List every child, including adult children and those from prior relationships, matching what's on your N-400.
Good moral character & background
These questions mirror Form N-400 Part 12 almost word for word — the officer is verifying your written answers under oath, not looking for new information.
Have you ever been arrested, cited, or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason?
Answer honestly even for minor incidents, dismissed charges, or arrests as a juvenile — omitting one is a bigger problem than the incident itself. Bring certified court dispositions if you have any criminal history.
Have you ever failed to file a required federal, state, or local tax return?
If you owe back taxes, having a documented payment plan with the IRS is generally acceptable — undisclosed tax problems are not.
Have you ever claimed to be a U.S. citizen, registered to vote, or voted in a U.S. election?
A false claim to citizenship or unlawful voting can affect eligibility even if it happened before you had a green card — answer accurately and, if unsure, discuss it with an immigration attorney beforehand.
Are you willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance, including bearing arms or performing noncombatant service if required by law?
Applicants with religious or moral objections to the oath's military-service clauses can request a modified oath — this is a standard, well-established accommodation, not a rare exception.
Selective Service (male applicants)
Required for most men who lived in the U.S. between ages 18 and 25, regardless of immigration status at the time.
Did you register with the Selective Service System?
If you should have registered but didn't, bring a Status Information Letter from the Selective Service System — most officers will still approve the case once satisfied the omission wasn't willful.
This page describes the general shape of the interview and is not legal advice — if you have a complicated immigration or criminal history, talk to an immigration attorney before your interview. For the official form these questions are drawn from, see USCIS’s N-400 page.