What Happens During a Naturalization Interview?

 Posted on February 14, 2026 in Naturalization & Citizenship

Residents of the United States who want to become U.S. citizens in 2026 must attend a naturalization interview. This interview is a key step in the citizenship process, and applicants must pass the interview before taking the Oath of Allegiance. The session is designed to confirm your identity, evaluate your level of fluency with the English language, and test your knowledge of U.S. history and government.

Not passing the interview can block you from getting citizenship, which is why it is best to prepare by consulting a Dallas immigration attorney. Understanding what to expect can help you arrive confident and ready to succeed.

Are You Eligible for Naturalization?

To qualify for naturalization, you must meet several requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years old and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen. 
• You must have lived in the United States continuously during that time and been physically present for at least half of the required period. 
• You must also demonstrate good moral character, pass the English and civics tests, and be willing to take the Oath of Allegiance. 

Certain criminal convictions or immigration violations can disqualify you from naturalization. If you are unsure whether you qualify, consulting an immigration attorney before applying can save you time and money.

What Happens in a Naturalization Interview?

The naturalization interview is administered by an officer from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, commonly known as USCIS. You will be asked to bring proof of identification, including your green card, and take an Oath of Truthfulness in which you promise to tell the truth.

There are three parts to the interview:

Review and Questions

The USCIS officer will review your application and ask questions to verify certain information like your personal history, immigration history, education and employment background, and your moral character.

Civics Test

You will take a test designed to assess your knowledge of the U.S. government and history. The exam will have 100 possible questions, but you only need to answer 10 of them. You must answer at least six questions correctly to pass the test.

English Test 

You will be tested on your fluency in speaking, reading, and writing English. The USCIS officer will assess your speaking ability when you answer questions. You will be asked to read one of three sentences correctly and write one of three dictated sentences correctly.

USCIS will decide based on the interview results whether to approve or deny your citizenship application and will tell you once that decision is made. If more information is needed, you will be notified of that as well.

What Will the USCIS Officer Ask in the Naturalization Interview?

In the interview, the USCIS officer will review your application and ask you certain questions. These questions help verify your identity and determine whether you meet the requirements under Section 316 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Application and Background

The officer might ask you to verify information like your name, age, address, residential history, marital status, educational background, and employment history.

Immigration History

The officer might ask you when you entered the United States, when you obtained your green card, if you have left the U.S. since becoming a lawful permanent resident, and other questions about your time in the country.

Moral Character

The officer will want to determine whether you have good moral character. He or she might ask you questions about your legal and financial history, such as whether you have ever been charged with a crime, whether you owe child support, whether you owe taxes, or if you are affiliated with any groups that oppose the U.S. government.

Do They Take Your Green Card at the Citizenship Interview?

They won’t usually take your green card during the interview itself. However, if your application is approved at the interview, the USCIS officer will take your green card at that time since you will no longer need it once you become a U.S. citizen.

If your case needs further review or if you need to go to a second interview, you will keep your green card until your citizenship is finalized. At your naturalization ceremony, when you take the Oath of Allegiance, you must give them your green card before receiving your Certificate of Naturalization.

Background Checks and Naturalization

USCIS does extensive background checks on every naturalization applicant. These checks happen before your interview is scheduled and include FBI fingerprint checks, name checks through various government databases, and reviews of your immigration history.

The background check verifies that you have not committed crimes that would disqualify you from citizenship and confirms the information you provided in your application. Most background checks are completed within a few months, but some cases take longer if additional investigation is needed. USCIS cannot approve your citizenship until all background checks are complete.

What Happens if You Fail the English or Civics Naturalization Test?

If you fail either the English test or the civics test, you get a second chance. USCIS will schedule a second interview within 60 to 90 days where you can retake only the portion of the test you failed. You do not have to retake parts you already passed.

If you fail the same test a second time, USCIS will deny your naturalization application. However, you can reapply for citizenship by filing a new Form N-400 and paying the filing fee again. There is no limit to how many times you can apply for naturalization, so failure is not permanent.

Call a Dallas, TX Immigration Attorney Today

A naturalization interview might seem scary, but you can arrive prepared and confident by working with a Plano immigration lawyer. At the Law Office of Jae Lee, we take a personalized approach to helping our clients go through the citizenship process successfully.

When you work with us, you work directly with Attorney Jae Lee, who will guide you through every step. Call us at 214-799-5062 now to schedule a free consultation about your path to U.S. citizenship.