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The Military Member’s Guide to Citizenship Application The Interview |
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Once your application has been processed, INS will schedule you for the interview. The steps of the interview process are as follows:
Receive an appointment for your interview. You will receive a notice in the mail telling you when and where you must appear for your interview. You will not receive a second notice. If you must reschedule your interview, you should directly contact the office where your interview is scheduled by mail as soon as possible. You should explain your situation and ask to have your interview rescheduled. When a new date has been set, INS will send you a new interview notice.
IMPORTANT: To make sure you get your interview notice, you must notify INS whenever your address changes. Use INS Form AR-11, "Alien’s Change of Address Card" for this purpose.
Go to your local office for the interview at the specified time. You should appear at the office where you are to be interviewed before the time of your interview. Many INS offices are crowded so unless you need to, you may not want to bring other people with you. If you fail to appear at your interview without contacting INS, your case will be "administratively closed". If this happens and you do not contact INS within 1 year to reopen your case, your application will be denied.
IMPORTANT: Rescheduling an interview may add several months to the naturalization process, so try to attend your original interview date.
Provide additional documents if INS requests them. In some cases, INS may ask you to bring additional documents to the interview. These documents will be listed on your appointment letter. If you fail to bring the necessary documents, your case may be delayed or denied.
Take the English and civics test. During your interview, your ability to read, write, and speak English will be tested. You will also be given a civics test to test your knowledge and understanding of U.S. History and Government.
English. Your English will be tested in one of the following ways:
1). Reading. In order to test your reading ability you may be asked to:
Read out loud parts of the N-400;
Read a set of civics questions and then answer them; or
Read several simple sentences out loud
2). Writing. In order to test your writing skills, the INS officer will ask you to write one or two simple sentences (see the "Naturalization Study Guide" available at the ACS Customer Service Section).
3). Speaking. Your speaking ability will be tested when you answer questions about yourself and your application during your interview.
Civics. During your interview, you will be asked to verbally answer a set of civics questions or to take a written multiple-choice test with up to 20 questions (see the Naturalization Study Guide available at the ACS Customer Service Section).
Answer questions about your application and background. At your interview, an INS officer will place you under oath and then ask you about:
Your background
Evidence supporting your case
Your place and length of residence
Your character
Your attachment to the Constitution
Your willingness to take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States
In addition, the INS officer may ask you some other questions to make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements. Be prepared to explain any differences between your application and the other documents you have provided to INS. Remember that you are under oath. Always tell the truth during your interview. If you lie during your interview, you will be denied citizenship. If you are granted citizenship but then INS finds out that you lied on your application or during your interview, your citizenship may be taken away.
A representative may accompany you to your interview if you have sent a "Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative" (Form G-28). Also, if you are exempt from the English requirements, you may bring an interpreter to the interview. If you have any disabilities, you may bring a family member or legal guardian with you at the discretion of the INS officer.
Receive a decision. After your interview, your application for citizenship will be granted, denied, or continued.
Granted. Sometimes INS can tell you if you will be granted citizenship at the end of your interview. In some cases, you may be able to complete the oath ceremony the same day as your interview (where available). Otherwise, you will receive a notice telling you when and where your oath ceremony will be.
Continued. The INS officer may also "continue" your case. This means your case is put on hold. If your case is continued, it will add time to your naturalization. The most common reasons for continuation are 1) failing the English and civics tests, and 2) failing to give INS the documents they need. When your case is continued, you will be either be asked to 1) come to a second interview, usually within 60-90 days of the first interview, or 2) provide additional documents. If you do not do what INS asks, your application may be denied.
Denied. INS may also deny your application for naturalization. If INS denies your application, you will receive a written notice telling you why. There is an administrative review process for applicants who receive denials. If you feel that you’ve been wrongly denied citizenship, you may request a hearing with an INS officer. Your denial letter will explain how to request a hearing and will include the form you need. The form for filing an appeal is the "Request for Hearing Proceedings Under Section 336 of the Act" (Form N-336).
Information Courtesy of U.S. Army
