Interview Day

Bring these (everyone)

• Appointment Notice (Form I-797)

  The interview appointment notice USCIS mailed you. Without it, you may not be admitted to the building.

• Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

  Your current Green Card. You will surrender it at the Oath of Allegiance ceremony when you naturalize.

• Government-Issued Photo ID

  A state-issued driver's license, state ID, or foreign passport with your photo. Used to verify your identity.

• All Passports (valid and expired)

  Every passport you have held since becoming a Permanent Resident. The officer uses these to verify your travel history and continuous residence.

• Federal Tax Returns or IRS Tax Transcripts (last 5 years)

  Certified copies of your Federal tax returns for the past 5 years (or 3 years if applying based on marriage to a U.S. citizen). IRS transcripts (Form 4506-T) are acceptable.

Bring these if they apply to you

• Certified Court Dispositions for Any Arrest

  Required for every arrest, citation, or detention, even if charges were dropped, expunged, or you were found not guilty. "Expunged" does not mean you can hide it from USCIS.

• Marriage Certificate

  Required if you are currently married. Also bring divorce decrees for every prior marriage that ended in divorce.

• Legal Name Change Documents

  If you have legally changed your name at any point (e.g., through marriage or court order), bring certified documentation.

• Military Service Records (Form DD-214)

  If you have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, bring your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214).

• Proof of Extended Travel Outside the U.S.

  For a continuous absence of more than 180 but fewer than 365 full days, bring records relevant to rebutting the continuous-residence presumption. A continuous absence of 365 full days or more breaks continuous residence under the ordinary rules unless an exception applies.

• Form N-648 (Medical Certification for Disability Exemption)

  If requesting an exception from English, civics, or both because of a qualifying disability or impairment, Form N-648 must be certified by a U.S.-licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or clinical psychologist.

• Evidence of U.S. Citizen Spouse (3-Year Applicants)

  If you are applying based on 3 years of marriage to a U.S. citizen, bring proof of your spouse's citizenship (U.S. passport, birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization) and evidence of your bona fide marriage.

What happens, in order

1. 1

   Identity Verification & Oath to Tell the Truth

   Before any questions begin, the officer confirms who you are and places you under oath.

2. 2

   N-400 Application Review

   The officer goes through your entire N-400 with you, asking follow-up questions on every section.

3. 3

   English Language Test (unless exempt)

   Your ability to speak, read, and write English is tested: speaking throughout the interview, reading and writing through short sentences.

4. 4

   Civics Test (unless exempt)

   The officer asks you civics questions verbally. You answer out loud. No writing involved.

5. 5

   Decision

   At the end of the interview, the officer will tell you whether your application is approved, continued, or denied.