What happens at the naturalization interview
Your interview takes place at a USCIS field office. It usually goes like this:
- The oath. The officer asks you to promise to tell the truth. From that moment, your answers are under oath.
- Documents. The officer checks your appointment notice, green card and identification, and any other documents your case needs.
- Your application. The officer goes through your Form N-400 with you: your name, addresses, marital history, children, work and school, and trips outside the United States. Then come the Part 9 yes/no questions below. If anything changed since you applied, this is the time to say so.
- The tests. The officer gives you the English reading and writing tests and the civics test. Your speaking is judged from the whole conversation.
- The result. At the end, the officer gives you a written notice with the result of your interview.
Your English during the interview
According to the USCIS scoring guidelines, officers must repeat and rephrase questions until they are sure whether you understand. You won't be judged by being asked to define words from the N-400. What matters is that you understand the questions and answer them. That's why the practice above shows each question in simpler words, the way an officer might rephrase it.
If you don't understand a question, don't guess. It's always OK to say:
- “Could you please repeat the question?”
- “Could you say that another way, please?”
- “I'm sorry, I don't understand. Could you explain?”
Part 9 questions explained
These are the official questions from Part 9 of Form N-400 (edition 01/20/25). Tap a question to see it in simpler words and what it means. “EVER” means at any time in your life, anywhere in the world.
Voting, citizenship and taxes
Item 1Have you EVER claimed to be a U.S. citizen (in writing or any other way)?
In simpler words: Have you ever said you were a U.S. citizen?
What it means: “Claimed” means said or showed. This includes checking a “U.S. citizen” box on a form, such as a job form, a voter registration form or a loan application, or telling an official you were a citizen when you were not. It covers any time in your life.
Item 2Have you EVER registered to vote or voted in any Federal, state, or local election in the United States? If you lawfully voted only in a local election where aliens are eligible to vote, you may answer “No.”
In simpler words: Have you ever registered to vote, or voted, in an election in the United States?
What it means: Only U.S. citizens may register and vote in federal and state elections. The form gives one exception: if you lawfully voted only in a local election where non-citizens are allowed to vote, you may answer No.
Item 3Do you currently owe any overdue Federal, state, or local taxes in the United States?
In simpler words: Do you owe any taxes right now that are past due?
What it means: “Overdue” means taxes you should already have paid, to the federal government (the IRS), your state or your city.
Item 4Since you became a lawful permanent resident, have you called yourself a “nonresident alien” on a Federal, state, or local tax return or decided not to file a tax return because you considered yourself to be a nonresident?
In simpler words: Since you got your green card, have you told a tax office you were a “nonresident,” or skipped filing taxes because you thought you were a nonresident?
What it means: For taxes, a “nonresident alien” is someone who is not treated as living in the United States. Green card holders are generally treated as U.S. residents for tax purposes, so this question checks whether you ever said otherwise.
Groups, violence and weapons
Item 5.aHave you EVER:Been a member of, involved in, or in any way associated with any Communist or totalitarian party anywhere in the world?
In simpler words: Have you ever been a member of, or connected to, a Communist party or a party that controls everything in a country?
What it means: A “totalitarian” party holds all power and does not allow other parties or free elections. The question covers membership or any connection, anywhere in the world, at any time.
Item 5.bHave you EVER:Advocated (supported and promoted) any of the following, or been a member of, involved in, or in any way associated with any group anywhere in the world that advocated any of the following: Opposition to all organized government; World communism; The establishment in the United States of a totalitarian dictatorship; The overthrow by force or violence or other unconstitutional means of the Government of the United States or all forms of law; The unlawful assaulting or killing of any officer or officers of the Government of the United States or of any other organized government because of their official character; The unlawful damage, injury, or destruction of property; or Sabotage?
In simpler words: Have you ever supported, or been part of a group that supported, violent overthrow of the government, communism, dictatorship, attacks on government officials, destroying property, or sabotage?
What it means: “Advocated” means publicly supported and promoted. “Sabotage” means damaging or destroying something on purpose, like equipment or roads, to weaken a government or organization.
Item 6.aHave you EVER been a member of, involved in, or in any way associated with, or have you EVER provided money, a thing of value, services or labor, or any other assistance or support to a group that:Used a weapon or explosive with intent to harm another person or cause damage to property?
In simpler words: Have you ever been part of, or helped, a group that used weapons or explosives to hurt people or damage property?
What it means: “Helped” includes giving money, things, work or any other support. An explosive is something made to blow up, like a bomb.
Item 6.bHave you EVER been a member of, involved in, or in any way associated with, or have you EVER provided money, a thing of value, services or labor, or any other assistance or support to a group that:Engaged (participated) in kidnapping, assassination, or hijacking or sabotage of an airplane, ship, vehicle, or other mode of transportation?
In simpler words: Have you ever been part of, or helped, a group that kidnapped or assassinated people, or hijacked or sabotaged a plane, ship or vehicle?
What it means: Kidnapping means taking a person away by force. Assassination means killing an important person, usually for political reasons. Hijacking means taking control of a plane, ship or vehicle by force.
Item 6.cHave you EVER been a member of, involved in, or in any way associated with, or have you EVER provided money, a thing of value, services or labor, or any other assistance or support to a group that:Threatened, attempted (tried), conspired (planned with others), prepared, planned, advocated for, or incited (encouraged) others to commit any of the acts listed in Item Numbers 6.a. or 6.b.?
In simpler words: Have you ever been part of, or helped, a group that threatened, tried, planned or encouraged others to do those things?
What it means: “Conspired” means planned together with other people. “Incited” means encouraged or pushed other people to do something.
Item 7.aHave you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in any of the following:Torture?
In simpler words: Have you ever tortured someone, or ordered or helped someone else do it?
What it means: Torture means causing someone very severe physical or mental pain on purpose, for example to punish them, frighten them or get information from them.
Item 7.bHave you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in any of the following:Genocide?
In simpler words: Have you ever taken part in genocide, or ordered or helped with it?
What it means: Genocide means acts meant to destroy, fully or partly, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group of people.
Item 7.cHave you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in any of the following:Killing or trying to kill any person?
In simpler words: Have you ever killed or tried to kill anyone, or ordered or helped someone else do it?
What it means: This covers doing it yourself, ordering it, encouraging it or helping with it, anywhere in the world.
Item 7.dHave you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in any of the following:Intentionally and severely injuring or trying to injure any person?
In simpler words: Have you ever badly hurt someone on purpose, or tried to?
What it means: “Intentionally” means on purpose. “Severely” means very seriously.
Item 7.eHave you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in any of the following:Any kind of sexual contact or activity with any person who did not consent (did not agree) or was unable to consent (could not agree), or was being forced or threatened by you or by someone else?
In simpler words: Have you ever had sexual contact with someone who did not agree, or who could not agree?
What it means: “Consent” means agreeing freely. Someone may be unable to consent, for example, because of their age or because they were unconscious. If force or threats were used, there was no consent.
Item 7.fHave you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in any of the following:Not letting someone practice his or her religion?
In simpler words: Have you ever stopped someone from practicing their religion?
What it means: This covers stopping people from worshiping or following their religion, or ordering or helping others to do it.
Item 7.gHave you EVER ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in any of the following:Causing harm or suffering to any person because of his or her race, religion, national origin, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion?
In simpler words: Have you ever harmed someone because of their race, religion, nationality, group or political opinion?
What it means: This describes persecution: hurting or punishing people because of who they are or what they believe.
Item 8.aHave you EVER served in, been a member of, assisted (helped), or participated in any military or police unit?
In simpler words: Have you ever served in, or helped, any military or police unit in any country?
What it means: This includes required military service in your home country and police work. Many applicants answer Yes because they did required military service. If you answer Yes, you list the country, the unit, your rank and the dates.
Item 8.bHave you EVER served in, been a member of, assisted (helped), or participated in any armed group (a group that carries weapons), for example: paramilitary unit (a group of people who act like a military group but are not part of the official military), self-defense unit, vigilante unit, rebel group, or guerrilla group?
In simpler words: Have you ever been part of, or helped, an armed group that is not an official army, such as a militia, rebel group or guerrilla group?
What it means: An armed group carries weapons. Paramilitary means acting like an army without being the official military. A vigilante group punishes people itself instead of using the police and courts. Guerrillas are small armed groups fighting a government or army.
Item 9Have you EVER worked, volunteered, or otherwise served in a place where people were detained (forced to stay), for example, a prison, jail, prison camp (a camp where prisoners of war or political prisoners are kept), detention facility, or labor camp, or have you EVER directed or participated in any other activity that involved detaining people?
In simpler words: Have you ever worked or volunteered at a prison, jail, detention center or labor camp, or taken part in keeping people locked up?
What it means: “Detained” means kept somewhere and not allowed to leave. The question asks about any work or volunteering at such a place, and about directing or taking part in detaining people anywhere.
Item 10.aWere you EVER a part of any group, or did you EVER help any group, unit, or organization that used a weapon against any person, or threatened to do so?
In simpler words: Were you ever part of, or did you help, any group that used weapons against people, or threatened to?
What it means: This is broader than a military or police unit. It covers any group, unit or organization that used or threatened to use weapons against people.
Item 10.bIf you answered “Yes” to Item Number 10.a., when you were part of this group, or when you helped this group, did you ever use a weapon against another person?
In simpler words: When you were in that group, did you ever use a weapon against someone?
What it means: This follow-up question only applies if you answered Yes to the question before it.
Item 10.cIf you answered “Yes” to Item Number 10.a., when you were part of this group, or when you helped this group, did you ever threaten another person that you would use a weapon against that person?
In simpler words: When you were in that group, did you ever threaten to use a weapon against someone?
What it means: This follow-up question only applies if you answered Yes to the question about being part of such a group.
Item 11Have you EVER sold, provided, or transported weapons, or assisted any person in selling, providing, or transporting weapons, which you knew or believed would be used against another person?
In simpler words: Have you ever sold, given or moved weapons that you knew or believed would be used against people, or helped someone do that?
What it means: “Transported” means carried or moved from one place to another. “Provided” means gave.
Item 12Have you EVER received any weapons training, paramilitary training, or other military-type training?
In simpler words: Have you ever had weapons training or military-style training?
What it means: This includes weapons training during required military service, police training, or training from any armed group.
Item 13Have you EVER recruited (asked), enlisted (signed up), conscripted (required to join), or used any person under 15 years of age to serve in or help an armed group, or attempted or worked with others to do so?
In simpler words: Have you ever made or helped a child under 15 join or help an armed group?
What it means: Recruited means asked someone to join. Enlisted means signed someone up. Conscripted means forced someone to join.
Item 14Have you EVER used any person under 15 years of age to take part in hostilities or attempted or worked with others to do so? This could include participating in combat or providing services related to combat (such as serving as a messenger or transporting supplies).
In simpler words: Have you ever used a child under 15 in fighting or war work, or tried to?
What it means: “Hostilities” means fighting or war. It includes combat and helping with it, like carrying messages or supplies.
Crimes and arrests
Item 15.aHave you EVER committed, agreed to commit, asked someone else to commit, helped commit, or tried to commit a crime or offense for which you were NOT arrested?
In simpler words: Have you ever committed a crime, or tried or planned to, even if you were never arrested?
What it means: This covers any crime or offense, anywhere in the world, at any age, even if the police never found out. The form says to include crimes even if your record was sealed, expunged or cleared.
Item 15.bHave you EVER been arrested, cited, detained or confined by any law enforcement officer, military official (in the U.S. or elsewhere), or immigration official for any reason, or been charged with a crime or offense?
In simpler words: Have you ever been arrested, given a citation, held by police, the military or immigration officials, or charged with a crime?
What it means: “Cited” means given an official notice (a citation) to appear in court or pay a fine. “Detained” or “confined” means held and not allowed to leave. The form says to include these even if the charges were dropped or your record was cleared.
Item 16If you received a suspended sentence, were placed on probation, or were paroled, have you completed your suspended sentence, probation, or parole?
In simpler words: If you got a suspended sentence, probation or parole, have you finished it?
What it means: Probation is supervised time in the community instead of, or after, jail. Parole is early release from prison under supervision. A suspended sentence is a punishment the judge does not carry out as long as you follow certain rules.
Other conduct and honesty
Item 17.aHave you EVER:Engaged in prostitution, attempted to procure or import prostitutes or persons for the purpose of prostitution, or received any proceeds or money from prostitution?
In simpler words: Have you ever been involved in prostitution, brought people into it, or made money from it?
What it means: Prostitution means sex in exchange for money. “Procure” means to find or bring people for it. “Proceeds” means money made from it.
Item 17.bHave you EVER:Manufactured, cultivated, produced, distributed, dispensed, sold, or smuggled (trafficked) any controlled substances, illegal drugs, narcotics, or drug paraphernalia in violation of any law or regulation of a U.S. state, the United States, or a foreign country?
In simpler words: Have you ever made, grown, sold, given out or smuggled illegal drugs or drug equipment against the law?
What it means: Controlled substances are drugs regulated by law. Trafficking means buying, selling or moving illegal drugs. Paraphernalia means equipment for using drugs. The question covers the laws of any U.S. state, the United States or another country.
Item 17.cHave you EVER:Been married to more than one person at the same time?
In simpler words: Have you ever been married to two people at the same time?
What it means: Being married to more than one person at once is called bigamy or polygamy.
Item 17.dHave you EVER:Married someone in order to obtain an immigration benefit?
In simpler words: Have you ever married someone only to get an immigration benefit, such as a green card?
What it means: An immigration benefit is something like a visa, a green card or citizenship. A marriage entered only for that purpose is often called a sham or fraudulent marriage.
Item 17.eHave you EVER:Helped anyone to enter, or try to enter, the United States illegally?
In simpler words: Have you ever helped anyone come into the United States illegally, or try to?
What it means: This includes helping anyone, even a family member, to enter the country without permission.
Item 17.fHave you EVER:Gambled illegally or received income from illegal gambling?
In simpler words: Have you ever gambled illegally, or made money from illegal gambling?
What it means: Gambling means betting money on games or events. It is illegal when it breaks the law where it happens.
Item 17.gHave you EVER:Failed to support your dependents (pay child support) or to pay alimony (court-ordered financial support after divorce or separation)?
In simpler words: Have you ever not paid child support or alimony that you were supposed to pay?
What it means: Dependents are people you are responsible for supporting, such as your children. Alimony is money a court orders one former spouse to pay the other after a divorce or separation.
Item 17.hHave you EVER:Made any misrepresentation to obtain any public benefit in the United States?
In simpler words: Have you ever given false information to get public benefits in the United States?
What it means: Public benefits are government help, such as food assistance, Medicaid or housing assistance. Misrepresentation means giving false or misleading information.
Item 18Have you EVER given any U.S. Government officials any information or documentation that was false, fraudulent, or misleading?
In simpler words: Have you ever given U.S. government officials false or misleading information or documents?
What it means: “Fraudulent” means fake or made to trick someone. “Misleading” means likely to give a wrong idea.
Item 19Have you EVER lied to any U.S. Government officials to gain entry or admission into the United States or to gain immigration benefits while in the United States?
In simpler words: Have you ever lied to U.S. officials to get into the country or to get an immigration benefit?
What it means: This includes lying to officers at the border or an airport, at a U.S. embassy or consulate, or to USCIS.
Removal and deportation
Item 20Have you EVER been placed in removal, rescission, or deportation proceedings?
In simpler words: Have you ever been in immigration court to decide whether you must leave the U.S.?
What it means: Removal or deportation proceedings are immigration court cases that decide whether a person must leave the United States. Rescission proceedings are cases to take away a person's permanent resident status.
Item 21Have you EVER been removed or deported from the United States?
In simpler words: Have you ever been deported (removed) from the United States?
What it means: Removal, also called deportation, means the government ordered you to leave the United States and you left under that order.
Selective Service
Item 22.aAre you a male who lived in the United States at any time between your 18th and 26th birthdays? (Do not select “Yes” if you were a lawful nonimmigrant for all of that time period.)
In simpler words: Are you a man who lived in the United States at any time between your 18th and 26th birthdays?
What it means: Nearly all men in the United States must register with Selective Service from age 18 through 25. The form says not to answer Yes if you were a lawful nonimmigrant (for example, on a student visa) for that whole time.
Item 22.bIf you answered “Yes,” to Item Number 22.a., did you register for the Selective Service?
In simpler words: Did you register for the Selective Service?
What it means: Selective Service is the system the government would use if there were ever a military draft. You can check whether you are registered at sss.gov.
Military service
Item 23Have you EVER left the United States to avoid being drafted in the U.S. armed forces?
In simpler words: Have you ever left the United States so you would not be drafted into the U.S. military?
What it means: “Drafted” means required by the government to join the military.
Item 24Have you EVER applied for any kind of exemption from military service in the U.S. armed forces?
In simpler words: Have you ever asked to be excused from U.S. military service?
What it means: An exemption is official permission not to do something that would otherwise be required.
Item 25Have you EVER served in the U.S. armed forces?
In simpler words: Have you ever served in the U.S. military?
What it means: The U.S. armed forces are the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force and Coast Guard.
Item 26.aAre you currently a member of the U.S. armed forces?
In simpler words: Are you in the U.S. military now?
What it means: This is only asked if you have served in the U.S. armed forces.
Item 26.bIf you answered “Yes” to Item Number 26.a., are you scheduled to deploy outside the United States, including to a vessel, within the next 3 months? (Call the Military Help Line at 877-247-4645 if you transfer to a new duty station after you file your Form N-400, including if you are deployed outside the United States or to a vessel.)
In simpler words: Are you going to be sent outside the United States, or to a ship, in the next three months?
What it means: “Deploy” means be sent somewhere for military duty. A vessel is a ship.
Item 26.cIf you answered “Yes,” to Item Number 26.a., are you currently stationed outside the United States?
In simpler words: Are you stationed outside the United States right now?
What it means: “Stationed” means assigned to serve at a certain place.
Item 26.dIf you answered “No” to Item Number 26.a., are you a former U.S. military service member who is currently residing outside of the U.S.?
In simpler words: Are you a former U.S. service member who lives outside the United States now?
What it means: This applies to people who used to serve in the U.S. military and now live in another country.
Item 27Have you EVER been court-martialed or have you received a discharge characterized as other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable, while in the U.S. armed forces?
In simpler words: Have you ever been tried by a military court, or left the U.S. military with a discharge that was not honorable?
What it means: A court-martial is a trial in a military court. A discharge is how military service officially ends. “Other than honorable,” “bad conduct” and “dishonorable” are negative types of discharge.
Item 28Have you EVER been discharged from training or service in the U.S. armed forces because you were an alien?
In simpler words: Were you ever released from U.S. military training or service because you were not a citizen?
What it means: “Alien” is the legal word for a person who is not a U.S. citizen.
Item 29Have you EVER deserted from the U.S. armed forces?
In simpler words: Have you ever left the U.S. military without permission?
What it means: Deserting means leaving military duty without permission and without planning to come back.
Titles of nobility
Item 30.aDo you now have, or did you EVER have, a hereditary title or an order of nobility in any foreign country?
In simpler words: Do you have, or have you ever had, a noble title from another country, like prince, duke or count?
What it means: A hereditary title is passed down in a family. An order of nobility is a noble rank.
Item 30.bIf you answered “Yes,” to Item Number 30.a., are you willing to give up any inherited titles or orders of nobility, (list titles), that you have in a foreign country at your naturalization ceremony?
In simpler words: Will you give up that title at your citizenship ceremony?
What it means: New citizens give up any noble titles. This question only applies if you have one.
Oath of Allegiance
Item 31Do you support the Constitution and form of Government of the United States?
In simpler words: Do you support the U.S. Constitution and the American system of government?
What it means: The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. The form says that if you answer No to this or the questions after it (except the disability question), you should read the Oath of Allegiance section of the Form N-400 instructions.
Item 32Do you understand the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States (see Part 16. Oath of Allegiance)?
In simpler words: Do you understand the Oath of Allegiance?
What it means: The Oath of Allegiance is the promise new citizens make at the naturalization ceremony. Its full text is in Part 16 of Form N-400, so read it before your interview.
Item 33Are you unable to take the Oath of Allegiance because of a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment? If you answer “Yes,” skip Item Numbers 34. - 37. and see the Legal Guardian, Surrogate, or Designated Representative section in the Instructions.
In simpler words: Do you have a disability that makes you unable to take the Oath of Allegiance?
What it means: This question is for people with a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment that prevents them from understanding or making the Oath. If the answer is Yes, the instructions explain how a guardian or representative can help.
Item 34Are you willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States?
In simpler words: Are you willing to take the Oath of Allegiance?
What it means: “Willing” means you agree to do it.
Item 35If the law requires it, are you willing to bear arms (carry weapons) on behalf of the United States?
In simpler words: If the law requires it, will you carry weapons to defend the United States?
What it means: “Bear arms” means carry weapons as a soldier. If your religious training and belief keep you from answering Yes, the Form N-400 instructions explain what to do.
Item 36If the law requires it, are you willing to perform noncombatant services (do something that does not include fighting in a war) in the U.S. armed forces?
In simpler words: If the law requires it, will you do non-fighting work in the U.S. military?
What it means: Noncombatant service means work in the military that does not involve fighting, such as medical or support work.
Item 37If the law requires it, are you willing to perform work of national importance under civilian direction (do non-military work that the U.S. Government says is important to the country)?
In simpler words: If the law requires it, will you do important non-military work for the country?
What it means: “Under civilian direction” means directed by the government, not by the military. This is non-military work the government says is important to the country.
Official question text from USCIS Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (edition 01/20/25; public domain). The simpler wording and explanations are written by CitizenshipBound to help with English. They are not legal advice and are not official USCIS text.