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Interview Role-Play Script
The naturalization interview from the waiting room to the decision, as a script for two. One student plays the officer, one plays the applicant, then they swap. The officer keeps this sheet; the applicant answers from memory and from their own life.
How to run it
- Pairs sit facing each other, like the real office. The officer leads and reads every line in order.
- The applicant never reads from the sheet. Real answers, short and honest, like the real interview.
- Swap roles after the decision. Fifteen minutes covers the whole script once each way.
- For the voice version, open the mock interview on one device and let the class answer together.
1. The waiting room
The applicant waits with their documents. The officer comes to the door.
Please have a seat in the waiting area and listen for your name. Your officer will come out to call you in just a few minutes.
Good morning. My name is Officer Daniels, and I'll be conducting your naturalization interview today. Please follow me back to my office.
Good morning. Thank you.
We'll go through your application together and then do the English and civics tests. Most interviews take about twenty minutes, so there's no need to feel rushed.
2. The oath
Both stand. The applicant raises their right hand.
Before we sit down, please raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm that everything you tell me today will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
I do.
Thank you. Please have a seat and make yourself comfortable.
3. Identity check
The applicant hands over the green card and a photo ID.
To start, may I please see your Permanent Resident Card and a photo ID, such as a state ID or your passport?
Here is my green card and my driver's license.
Thank you. Let me verify your identity for a moment… everything matches, so we're good to continue.
4. Application review
The officer reads from the N-400. The applicant answers from their own application, truthfully and briefly. Every yes gets a follow-up question.
I am now going to review your application under oath. Listen carefully, answer only what I ask, and be precise. I verify everything you tell me, and any inconsistency will be examined.
We'll begin with your name. State your full legal name for the record, exactly as it appears on your application.
You are under oath. Answer precisely.
(Answers from their own application.)
What is the legal basis for your application: five years as a permanent resident, three years married to a citizen, or military service?
(Answers from their own application.)
State your current home address and confirm it matches your application.
(Answers from their own application.)
Now your travel. During the period USCIS is reviewing, did you have any continuous absence of more than 180 full days?
(Answers from their own application.)
Your marital history. What is your current status, and how many times have you been married?
(Answers from their own application.)
Your work history for the last five years. What is your current situation, and have there been any gaps?
(Answers from their own application.)
Now your taxes. Have you filed a federal return every year you were required to, and do you owe anything today?
This is sworn testimony. Choose carefully.
(Answers from their own application.)
Have you ever been arrested, cited, detained, or charged by any law enforcement officer, anywhere in the world, for any reason?
This includes dismissed charges, expunged records, and traffic citations.
(Answers from their own application.)
Have you ever registered to vote, or actually voted, in any federal, state, or local election in the United States?
(Answers from their own application.)
Some required questions now. Have you ever been a member of, or in any way associated with, the Communist Party, any other totalitarian party, or a terrorist organization?
(Answers from their own application.)
Have you ever sold, smuggled, trafficked, or helped anyone else traffic in any controlled substance or illegal drug?
(Answers from their own application.)
Finally, the Oath of Allegiance. Are you willing to take the full oath, including giving up every foreign allegiance and defending this country if the law requires it?
(Answers from their own application.)
Okay, thank you for confirming that.
If an Answer Sounds Uncertain, the Officer May Press
- Are you sure about that?
- I have your file right here. Think carefully before you answer again.
- I'll ask you once more. Are you certain?
- Take your time. Is that your final answer, under oath?
5. Civics test
Ten questions from the 65/20 list, so any student can play the officer with the key below. The real test asks up to 20 and stops at 12 correct. In this short version, 6 of 10 passes.
Now we'll do the civics test. I'm going to ask you up to twenty questions out loud, and you need twelve correct to pass. As soon as you reach twelve, we stop right there. Are you ready? Here's your first question.
What is the supreme law of the land?
(Answers from memory.)
How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
(Answers from memory.)
What is the economic system of the United States?
(Answers from memory.)
Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
(Answers from memory.)
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
(Answers from memory.)
The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
(Answers from memory.)
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
(Answers from memory.)
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
(Answers from memory.)
Who vetoes bills?
(Answers from memory.)
What is the highest court in the United States?
(Answers from memory.)
That's twelve correct, so you've passed the civics portion. Nicely done. We can stop the civics questions there.
Officer's Answer Key
- 2. What is the supreme law of the land?(U.S.) Constitution
- 7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?Twenty-seven (27)
- 12. What is the economic system of the United States?Capitalism / Free market economy
- 20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress.Writes laws / Declares war / Makes the federal budget
- 30. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?Mike Johnson
- 36. The President of the United States is elected for how many years?Four (4) years
- 38. What is the name of the President of the United States now?Donald J. Trump
- 39. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?JD Vance
- 44. Who vetoes bills?The President (of the United States)
- 52. What is the highest court in the United States?Supreme Court
6. Reading test
The officer shows one sentence at a time and does not read it. One correct reading passes.
Now for the reading test. I'm going to show you one sentence, and I'd like you to read it out loud for me in English.
Show the applicant: "Citizens have the right to vote."
(Reads the sentence out loud.)
Okay, let's try one more sentence. Please read this one out loud for me.
Show the applicant: "Congress has one hundred senators."
(Reads the sentence out loud.)
Okay, let's try one more sentence. Please read this one out loud for me.
Show the applicant: "The right to vote is the most important right of citizens."
(Reads the sentence out loud.)
7. Writing test
The officer says one sentence at a time. The applicant writes it. One correct sentence passes.
Last part is the writing test. I'm going to say a sentence out loud, and I'd like you to write it down exactly as you hear it.
"We elect Congress."
(Writes the sentence.)
Let's try another sentence. Listen carefully, then write it down.
"Citizens have the right to vote."
(Writes the sentence.)
Let's try another sentence. Listen carefully, then write it down.
"Citizens elect senators to Congress."
(Writes the sentence.)
8. The decision
Play it both ways. Students should hear what a continued case sounds like too.
Alright, that's everything I need. Give me just a moment while I enter your results into the system…
If everything passed:
Congratulations. Based on everything we went over today, I'm recommending your application for approval. You'll receive a notice called Form N-652, and you'll be scheduled for your Oath of Allegiance ceremony. Welcome, and well done.
If more practice is needed:
I'm not able to make a final decision today, so I'm continuing your case. You'll receive a Form N-14 that lists exactly what you must bring or correct. Address it and your case can move forward.