Interview
What Happens During the Naturalization Interview?
A plain description of the N-400 interview, the English checks, and the civics questions — without pretending we can predict your case.
By the Citizen Prep US Editorial Team · 7 min read · Published November 3, 2026 · Last reviewed November 3, 2026
The naturalization interview is a conversation with a USCIS officer about your application. You are placed under oath. The officer can ask about the answers on Form N-400, your residence, your travel, and your background. Civics is one part of that appointment, not the whole appointment.
English, then civics
Unless an English exemption applies, the officer checks speaking, reading, and writing. Speaking is usually judged from how you answer questions about your application. Reading and writing use USCIS vocabulary lists, not the civics questions. Then the officer gives the civics test orally.
If a portion is not passed
USCIS generally schedules another opportunity to retake only the portion that was not passed. Published guidance often describes that second appointment as happening about 60 to 90 days later. The exact notice comes from USCIS. A practice score on a website is not a prediction of that result.
Bring what your interview notice tells you to bring. This article cannot tell you which documents your file needs.