Citizenship offers many benefits and equally important responsibilities. When you naturalize, you agree to accept all of the responsibilities of becoming a U.S. citizen. You agree to support the United States, its Constitution, and its laws. In return, you gain all the rights and privileges of citizenship such as the right to vote and travel with a U.S. passport.

During your naturalization interview, a USCIS officer will ask you questions about your application and background. You will also take an English and civics test unless you qualify for an exemption or waiver.

U.S. citizenship test rules depend on when you filed your Form N-400.

• If you filed before October 20, 2025: You will take the 2008 civics test. You must answer 6 out of 10 oral questions correctly from a bank of 100 possible questions.
• If you filed on or after October 20, 2025: You will take the 2025 civics test. You must answer 12 out of 20 oral questions correctly from a bank of 128 questions.

Retaking the Naturalization Test

You have two opportunities to take the English and civics tests per application. If you fail any portion of the test during your first interview, you will be retested on the portion of the test that you failed at a second interview. USCIS will schedule you to return to be retested between 60 and 90 days after the date of your initial interview.

Exceptions

Certain applicants, because of age and time as a permanent resident, are exempt from the English requirements for naturalization and may take the civics test in the language of their choice. For more information, visit www.uscis.gov/citizenship.

Applicants over 50 years of age and living in US as Legal Permanent Resident for 20 years or more and Persons over 55 years of age and living in US as Legal Permanent Resident for 15 years or more can take the test in their own language.

Please bring the following documents (originals and copies) to your naturalization interview

1. Interview notice

2. Green card

3. All passports used in the last five years

4. Social Security card 5. NYS ID or other State ID

6. Current marriage certificate and proof of termination of all prior marriages

7. Certified court dispositions for any arrests

8. Proof of child support

9. IRS tax return transcripts for the last five years

If you are applying for naturalization before 4 years 9 months AND you are still married to US Citizen, please provide the following documents for last 3 years:

1. Spouse’s Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. Passport

2. Joint bank statements AND bank letter AND cancelled checks

3. Common children’s birth certificates and green cards (s) (if applicable)

4. Utility bills: example – gas, electric, telephone, cable

5. Joint health insurance coverage

6. Life Insurance

7. Credit card statements

8. Lease, mortgage, house deed, joint ownership of any real estate

9. Tax returns transcripts AND W2s

For assistance requesting your Tax Return Transcripts please contact IRS and request an appointment at:1-844-545-5640 or visit https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

If you owe taxes please provide proof of payment plan agreement including cancelled checks.

At the USCIS testing facility, the interviewer will call your name and lead you to an office.

Before starting the actual interview, the USCIS officer will begin with some general conversation, or small talk, to see how well you speak English.

Greetings and small talk

1. How are you?

I am fine /good /great. Or fine/good thank you.

2. How is the weather today?

The weather is fine /good /cold /warm /sunny /rainy /windy.

3. How did you get here today?

I came by car /bus /subway /train or my son or daughter brought me

Beginning Interview

1. Do you have any questions before we begin?

2. Have you prepared for the citizenship test? Or Have you studied for the citizenship test?

3. How did you study or prepare?

I read a book / I took a class / my children helped me / I took a Citizenship Class at Emerald Isle Immigration Center.

Truth Oath

1. Please stand and raise your right hand.

2. Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

Yes, I do.

3. What does truth mean? Or What is truth?

true statement/ not to lie/ be honest

4. What is an “oath”?

An “oath” is a promise. I promise to tell the truth.

5. Why are you here today?

I want to become an American citizen.

6. Did you bring your legal representative, attorney or a lawyer?

7. Who helped you fill out your citizenship application form?

8. Why do you want to become an American citizen?

I love America.

I love freedom.

There are many good opportunities for citizens here.

I want a better life for my children.

9. What do you miss about your home country?

I miss my friends and family.

I miss the food.

I don’t miss my old country.

10. Show me your Green Card, driver’s license, passport, and photo ID.

Here is my Green Card, license, and passport.

Reading Portion

Each reading test administered to you will contain no more than three sentences. You must read one out of three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to read in English.

To help you prepare, see the reading vocabulary list on page 28 containing all the words found in the English reading portion of

the naturalization test. The content focuses on civics and history topics.

Writing Portion

To test your ability to write in English, you must write one out of three sentences

correctly in order to demonstrate an ability to write in English.

To help you prepare, see the writing vocabulary list on page 31 containing all the words found in the English writing portion of the naturalization test. The content focuses on civics and history topics.

Reading Vocabulary List

PEOPLE

• Abraham Lincoln
  • George Washington

CIVICS

• American flag
  • Bill of Rights
  • capital
  • citizen
  • city

• Congress
  • country
  • Father of Our Country
  • government
  • President
  • right
  • Senators
  • state/states
  • White House

PLACES

• America
  • United States
  • U.S.

HOLIDAYS

• Presidents’ Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Flag Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Thanksgiving

QUESTION WORDS

• How
  • What
  • When
  • Where
  • Who
  • Why

VERBS

• can
  • come
  • do/does
  • elects
  • have/has
  • is/are/was/be
  • lives/lived
  • meet
  • name
  • pay
  • vote
  • want

OTHER (FUNCTION)

• a
  • for
  • here
  • in

• of
  • on
  • the
  • to
  • we

OTHER (CONTENT)

• colors
  • dollar bill
  • first
  • largest
  • many
  • most
  • north
  • one
  • people
  • second
  • south

Writing Vocabulary List

PEOPLE

• Adams
  • Lincoln
  • Washington

CIVICS

• American Indians
  • capital
  • citizens
  • Civil War
  • Congress
  • Father of Our Country
  • flag
  • free
  • freedom of speech
  • President
  • right
  • Senators
  • state/states
  • White House

PLACES

• Alaska
  • California
  • Canada
  • Delaware
  • Mexico
  • New York City
  • United States
  • Washington
  • Washington, D.C.

MONTHS

• February
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • September
  • October
  • November

HOLIDAYS

• Presidents’ Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Flag Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Thanksgiving

VERBS

• can
  • come
  • elect
  • have/has
  • is/was/be
  • lives/lived
  • meets
  • pay
  • vote
  • want

OTHER (FUNCTION)

• and
  • during
  • for
  • here
  • in
  • of
  • on
  • the
  • to
  • we

OTHER (CONTENT)

• blue
  • dollar bill
  • fifty/50
  • first
  • largest
  • most
  • north
  • one
  • one hundred/100
  • people
  • red
  • second
  • south
  • taxes
  • white

QUESTIONS

1. How many states are in the United States?

2. What is the capital of the United States?

3. What are the colors of the American flag?

4. What is on the American flag?

5. When is Flag Day?

6. What was the first U.S. Capital?

7. What state has the most people?

8. What country is north of the United States?

9. What is the largest state?

10. What country is south of the United States?

11. Who lived here first? 12. Why do people want to be citizens?

13. Why do people come to America?

14. When is Columbus Day?

15. When is Thanksgiving?

16. What was the first U.S. state?

17. Who is the father of our country?

18. Who was the first president?

19. What president is on the dollar bill?

20. Who was the second president?

21. Who was George Washington?

22. Who was Abraham Lincoln?

23. When is President’s Day?

24. When is Memorial Day?

25. What is one right in the Bill of Rights?

26. Who elects Congress?

27. How many Senators do we have?

28. Where does congress meet?

29. When do we vote for president?

30. Where does the president live?

31. Where is the White House?

32. Who lives in the White House?

33. When is Labor Day?

34. What do we have to pay to the government?

35. What does Congress do?

36. Who can vote?

37. Why do people want to be citizens?

38. When is Independence Day?

Writing and Reading Sentences ANSWERS

1. The United States has 50 states.

2. Washington D.C. is the capital.

3. The colors of the flag are red, white and blue.

4. Stars and stripes are on the flag.

5. Flag Day is on June 14th.

6. New York City was the first capital.

7. California has the most people.

8. Canada is north of the United States.

9. Alaska is the largest state.

10. Mexico is south of the United States.

11. American Indians lived here first.

12. They want to live in a free country.

13. People come here to be free.

14. Columbus Day is in October.

15. Thanksgiving is every fourth Thursday in November.

16. Delaware was the first state.

17. George Washington is the father of our country.

18. George Washington was the first president.

19. George Washington is on the dollar bill.

20. John Adams was the second president.

21. The first president of the United States.

22. Lincoln was the president during the Civil War.

23. President’s Day is in February.

24. Memorial Day is the last Monday in May.

25. Freedom of speech is one of our rights.

26. People elect members of Congress.

27. We have 100 Senators.

28. Congress meets in Washington D.C.

29. We vote for president on the first Tuesday in November every 4 years.

30. The president lives in the White House.

31. The White House is in Washington D.C.

32. The president of the United States.

33. Labor Day is on the first Monday in September.

34. We have to pay taxes. 35. Congress makes laws.

36. Citizens can vote.

37. They want to vote.

38. Independence Day is on July 4th.

Civics/History	Everyday Life
A Senator is elected for 6 years.	He came to live with his brother.
__________ is the Vice President of the United States.	He has a very big dog.
All people want to be free.	He knows how to ride a bike.
America is the land of freedom.	He wanted to find a job.
All United States citizens have the right to vote.	He wanted to talk to his boss.
America is the home of the brave.	He went to the post office.
America is the land of the free.	His wife is at work in the house.
__________ is the President of the United States.	I am too busy to talk today.
Citizens have the right to vote.	I bought a blue car today.
Congress is part of the American government.	I came to __________ (city) today for my interview.
Congress meets in Washington, DC.	I count the cars as they pass by the office.
Congress passes laws in the United States.	I drive a blue car to work.
George Washington was the first president.	I go to work every day.
I want to be a citizen of the United States.	I have three children.
I want to become an American citizen.	I know how to speak English.
I want to become an American so I can vote.	I live in the state of __________.
It is important for all citizens to vote.	I want to be a United States citizen.
Many people come to America for freedom.	It is a good job to start with.
Many people have died for freedom.	My car does not work.
Martha Washington was the first First Lady.	She can speak English very well.
Only Congress can declare war.	She cooks for her friends.
Our Government is divided into three branches.	She is my daughter, and he is my son.
People in America have the right to freedom.	She needs to buy some new clothes.
People vote for the President in November.	She wanted to live near her brother.
The American flag has stars and stripes.	She was happy with her house.
The American flag has 13 stripes.	The boy threw a ball.
The capital of the United States is Washington, DC.	The children bought a newspaper.
The colors of the flag are red, white and blue.	The children play at school.
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.	The children wanted a television.
The flag of the United States has 50 stars.	The man wanted to get a job.
The House and Senate are parts of Congress.	The teacher was proud of her class.
The people have a voice in Government.	The white house has a big tree.
The people in the class took a citizenship test.	They are a very happy family.
The President enforces the laws.	They are very happy with their car.
The President has the power of veto.	They buy many things at the store.
The President is elected every four years.	They came to live in the United States.
The President lives in the White House.	They go to the grocery store.
The President lives in Washington, DC.	They have horses on their farm.
The President must be an American citizen.	They live together in a big house.
The President must also be born in the United States.	They work well together.
The President signs bills into laws.	Today I am going to the store.
The stars of the American flag are white.	Today is a sunny day.
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France.	Warm clothing was on sale in the store.
The stripes of the American flag are red and white.	We are very smart to learn this.
The White House is in Washington, DC.	We have a very clean house.
The United States flag is red, white and blue.	You cook very well.
The United States of America has 50 states.	You drink too much coffee.
There are 50 states in the Union.	You work very hard at your job.
There are three branches of Government.