After filing the N-400, you’ll receive a notice for a naturalization interview at a USCIS field office. The interview will be conducted in English unless you qualify for one of the exemptions. Unless you are eligible for an exception, the only person you can bring to the interview is an attorney.

At the interview, the officer will want to see if you can speak, read, and write in English. The interview will be conducted in English, and you will be asked to write a simple sentence in English. You will also be given a U.S. civics test.

The civics questions are drawn from a bank of 100 questions; the questions will be given to you at the biometrics appointment, but you can also find them online. You have to answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass; if you answer the first 6 correctly, you won’t be asked anymore. If you fail the civics portion of the interview, you will be given one more appointment to try and pass the test.

Review of the Application

The officer will also review your N-400 with you. You should be familiar with your answers and important dates.

Exceptions

Exempt from the English Language Requirement:

  • If you are 50 years old or older at the time of filing and have had your residency for 20 years, you are exempt from the English Language Requirement, but you must take the standard civics exam. In this situation, your interview will be conducted in your native language, and in addition to an attorney, you may bring a translator to the interview.
  • If you are 55 years old or older at the time of filing and have had your residency for 15 years, you are exempt from the English Language Requirement, but you must take the standard civics exam. In this situation, your interview will be conducted in your native language, and in addition to an attorney, you may bring a translator to the interview.

Exempt from the English Language Requirement & Special Civics Exam

  • If you are 65 or older at the time of filing and have had your residency for 20 years, you are exempt from the English Language Requirement, and you’ll be given a special civics exam. You will only be required to study a bank of 20 questions. You will still need to answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly. Additionally, the interview will be conducted in the language of your choice, and you’ll be permitted to bring a translator to the interview.

How to Request an Exception/Exemption?

You’ll request the exemption of the English Language requirement directly on the N-400. It is important to evaluate whether you qualify for an exemption, in advance, as you’ll have to bring a translator to the interview. The translator should be fluent in both English and your native language.

If you fail any portion of the interview, you’ll be given one more interview ‘free of charge.’ If you fail to pass the interview a second time, your N-400 will be denied, and you’ll have to file a new N-400 and pay the fees again.

If you would like information about naturalization, please contact an immigration attorney who is trustworthy and knowledgeable! Our attorneys at Landerholm Immigration, APC, are experienced in both simple and complex naturalization cases. Please feel free to call us at (510) 491-0291 to see how we can help!