USCIS Interview Questions

Last Updated: November 9, 2025.

Attending an interview with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a necessary step in the immigration process for most U.S. citizenship applicants.

The naturalization interview process might seem intimidating to some.

However, engaging in thorough practice preparation and gaining a strong familiarity with the interview questions is a highly effective strategy for success.

While it’s impossible to know exactly what a USCIS officer will ask, this guide focuses on the various types of interview questions you are likely to encounter during your interview, including those related to marriage-based, Green Card to U.S. citizen, general naturalization and parent-related applications.

We will also provide links for preparation, a checklist of necessary documents, and answers to frequently asked questions.

USCIS Interview Questions About Marriage

For individuals applying for a naturalization through the marriage Green Card, the USCIS officer will ask the following questions to verify the legitimacy of the marriage:

Common Questions About the Beginning of the Relationship

• How did you meet your spouse?

• What was your first date like?

• Where was your first date?

• Was your relationship romantic immediately or later on?

• When was your relationship romantic for the first time?

• What interests did you share?

• What was the duration of your relationship before you decided to get married?

• Who proposed?

• Where was the proposal?

• Did your parents and friends approve of your relationship at first?

Common Questions About the Wedding

• When did you get married?

• Where did the wedding take place?

• Who attended your wedding?

• How many people attended the wedding?

• Where was the wedding?

• Where was the reception?

• Who were your bridesmaids/groomsmen?

• What time did the wedding start?

• What time did the wedding end?

• Did you serve food/beverages? What kind?

• What time did you and your spouse leave the reception?

• Did you have a honeymoon? If so, where and when was it?

Common Questions About Your Daily Routine and Life Together

• How do you start your days together?

• What does a day normally look like for the two of you?

• What does your spouse do for a living?

• What is your spouse’s favorite food?

• What is your spouse’s date of birth?

• What hobbies does your spouse enjoy?

• How do you celebrate anniversaries?

• What is your spouse’s favorite color?

• Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names?

• What was the last vacation you took together?

• Which of you likes to cook and which one of you likes to clean?

• What are some of your favorite things to cook?

• Do you like to eat out?

• What is your favorite restaurant to eat at together?

• Who shops for groceries?

• Who pays the bills?

• Do you and/or your spouse have any religious affiliations?

• What activities do you like to do with your spouse?

Common Questions About Family Members

• Have you met your spouse’s parents?

• What is the nature of your relationship with your spouse’s parents?

• If you have met them, when is the last time you have seen your spouse’s parents?

• What are your spouse’s parents’ names?

• Do you have a relationship with any other family members?

• What is the nature of your relationship with other family members?

• If you have met them, when is the last time you have seen your spouse’s other family members?

• What are your spouse’s other family members’ names?

• Do you have any children together? If so, what are their names and ages?

• What is the name of their school?

• Who takes the kids to school and/or helps them get ready?

• What are your kids’ names?

• What are your kids’ favorite foods/hobbies/sports?

Common Questions About Your Household and Bedroom

• What city do you reside in?

• Can you describe where you live? (i.e. a house, apartment, condominium, etc.)

• What color is your residence?

• How much do you pay for the mortgage/rent?

• What does the interior look like? 

• How many bedrooms and bathrooms are there in the place where you live?

• Does anyone else live with you?

• What side of the bed do you and your spouse sleep on?

• Do you and your spouse wear pajamas? If so, what kind?

• Does your spouse take any medications? What kind?

• What is the size of your bed at home?

Common Questions About Important Dates

• When are your birthdays?

• What did you do to celebrate your last birthdays?

• What gifts did you get each other?

• What is the most important holiday in your household?

• What does a holiday celebration typically look like for the two of you?

• Where do you typically celebrate holidays?

• Who do you typically celebrate holidays with?

USCIS Naturalization Interview Questions for Green Card Holders

If you are a Green Card holder seeking naturalization, expect questions focused on your residency and immigration history.

Here’s a list of questions an USCIS officer might ask you:

• When did you receive your Green Card?

• What is your current address?

• Have you traveled outside the United States since receiving your Green Card? If so, where and when?

• How long have you lived in the United States?

• Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime?

• Are you affiliated with any organizations or groups?

• Have you ever claimed to be a U.S. citizen?

• Have you ever failed to file taxes?

• Are you currently employed? If so, where?

• Have you ever been removed or deported from the United States?

• What was your visa status before receiving your Green Card?

• How did you apply for your Green Card?

• Did you ever apply for any other immigration benefits?

• How many times have you changed your address since becoming a permanent resident?

• Why do you want to be a U.S. citizen?

USCIS Naturalization Test Questions Practice

During the N-400 naturalization interview, you will be asked various questions relevant to your English language skills and U.S. civics. Let’s go through a few practice questions. 

English Questions 

The English portion of the naturalization test consists of three parts: speaking, reading, and writing.

During the speaking test, the USCIS officer will ask questions about your application and background. Sample questions might include:

1. What is your full name?
   • Answer: My full name is [Your Full Name].
2. How old are you?
   • Answer: I am [Your Age] years old.
3. Where do you live?
   • Answer: I live in [Your City and State].
4. What is your occupation?
   • Answer: I am a [Your Job Title] or I am currently unemployed.

For the reading test, you will be asked to read one out of three sentences correctly. Sample sentences might include:

1. “The sky is blue.”
2. “The President lives in the White House.”
3. “We live in the United States.”

In the writing test, you will be asked to write one out of three sentences correctly. Sample sentences include:

1. “The sky is blue.”
2. “I love my country.”
3. “The President is elected.

Civics Questions

The USCIS officer will ask you 10 civics-related questions from a selection of 100. It’s highly advisable to take the USCIS N-400 Practice Test to help master your civics knowledge, however, below are 10 samples to get started:

1. What is the supreme law of the land?
2. What does the Constitution do? 
3. Name the three branches of the U.S. government. 
4. Who is in charge of the executive branch? 
5. How many justices are on the Supreme Court? 
6. What is the economic system in the United States? 
7. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens? 
8. Name one right only for United States citizens. 
9. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? 
10. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? 

Scroll to the bottom of this article to see the answer to each question.

USCIS Naturalization Interview Questions for Parents

For the parents of U.S. citizens applying for naturalization by way of the IR-5 visa, the USCIS officer may ask questions to verify the relationship and the parent’s eligibility. Here are some questions that could be asked:

• Who is your child sponsor and what is their name?

• Where do you plan to live in the U.S.?

• What attaches you to the U.S.? (i.e. family relationships, work, etc.)

• Do you have any other family in the U.S. besides your child sponsor? If so, what other family members, what are their names, and where are they located?

• How many children/other family members do you have in the U.S.?

• What does your sponsor do for a living?

• What is the name of their company?

• Why is your sponsor in the U.S.?

• With what visa did your child enter the U.S.?

• What is the nature of your relationship with your child sponsor?

• Have you visited the U.S. before? For more than 6 months?

• What is your child’s birthday?

• When was the last time you saw the child sponsor

• Does your child sponsor have children and/or a spouse?

• How old is the child sponsor?

What to Bring to the USCIS Interview: Checklist

When attending your USCIS interview, it’s essential to bring the right documents. Here’s a comprehensive checklist of original documents and photocopies to prepare:

• Government-issued photo ID: Passport, state ID, or driver’s license.
• Valid and Expired Passports and Travel Documents: Originals and photocopies.

• • Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card): Original and photocopy.
  • Application for Naturalization (N-400): Original and photocopy.
  • Marriage certificate: Original and photocopy (for marriage-based naturalization).

• Proof of relationship between parent and sponsor: Such as photographs (for parent naturalization)

• Birth certificates of children: Original and photocopy (if applicable).

You may also need:

• Proof of residency: Utility bills, lease agreements, or bank statements.
• Tax returns: Copies of your last five years of tax returns and proof that you do not owe any federal taxes 
• Evidence of good moral character: Letters from employers or community leaders.
• Court documents: Any documents related to arrests or convictions (if applicable).
• Other documents relevant to your naturalization case: If there are any other documents that may help streamline the process or documents that are specifically requested by USCIS, be sure to bring those as well.

What Questions Do They Ask at USCIS Naturalization Interview?

The interview will typically start with a greeting, such as “How are you?”. Then, you will be placed under oath and asked:

Questions to Place You Under Oath

• Do you promise to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

• Do you understand what it means to take an oath?

Common Personal Background Questions

• What is your full name?

• Have you ever used any other names?

• What is your date of birth?

• Where were you born

• What is your race and ethnicity?

• Are you Hispanic or Latino?

• What is your current address?

• How long have you lived at this address?

• What is your current occupation?

• What is your phone number?

• What is your email address?

• Have you ever been a member of a criminal organization?

Common Physical Attribute Questions

• What is your height?

• What is your eye color?

• What color is your hair?

Common Family-Based Questions

• Do you have any children? If so, how many and what are their names and ages?

• Where were your children born?

• Where do your children currently reside?

• Are your children biological, stepchildren, or adopted?

• When are your childrens’ birthdays?

• What is your mother’s name?

• What is your father’s name?

• Are your parents U.S. citizens? If so, when did they become citizens?

• Were your parents married before you turned 18?

Common Relationship-Based Questions

• Are you single, married, divorced, or widowed?

• If married, what is your current spouse’s name?

• Is your spouse a U.S. citizen?

• What is your spouse’s nationality?

• When is your spouse’s birthday?

• Is your spouse in the military?

• What is your spouse’s occupation and what is the name of their company?

• How many times have you been married?

• If previously married, when did the marriage(s) end?

• How many times has your spouse been married?

Common Questions About Military Service

• Have you ever served in the U.S. military?

• Have you ever left the U.S to avoid a military draft?

• Have you applied for military service exemption?

• Have you ever deserted from the military?

• Have you lived in the U.S. or received your Green Card between 18-26 years old? If so, did you register for selective service? (male)

• When did you register with Selective Service? (male)

• If not registered, why didn’t you register with Selective Service? (male)

Common Questions About Trips Abroad

• How many times have you left the U.S. as a Green Card holder?

• Have you taken any trips abroad that have lasted more than six months?

• What were the reasons for your trips abroad?

• When did you last take a trip abroad?

• What country or countries do you travel to?

• Do you remember when you returned to the United States?

Common Residential History Questions

• Where is your current place of residence?

• How long have you been at your current residence?

• Where else have you lived in the past 3-5 years?

• When did you live there?

Common Education and Employment Questions

• Where do you currently work?

• What is your current occupation?

• Have you worked anywhere else in the last 3-5 years? If so, where?

• What is your highest level of education?

• Where did you attend school?

• What is the name of the school you attended?

• During what years did you attend that school?

Common Income Tax Questions

• Have you ever filed income tax returns as a Green Card holder?

• Did you indicate that you were a non-resident on your tax forms?

• Have you ever claimed to be a non-resident on any tax documents?

• Do you owe any federal, state, or local taxes?

Common Personal Ethics Questions

• Have you ever claimed to be a U.S. citizen?

• Have you engaged in voter fraud by voting or registering to vote as a noncitizen?

• Have you ever attacked, discriminated against, or denied the rights of another person because of their nationality, race, religious beliefs, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion?

• Do you support the principles of the U.S. Constitution? 

• Do you support the U.S. government?

• Are you willing to be a law-abiding citizen?

• Would you be willing to defend the U.S. in the case of a war?

• Have you been arrested? If so, what was the reason for the arrest?

• Have you been convicted of a crime? If so, what crime?

• Are you involved with the police, rebel or vigilante groups?

• Have you ever been found in violation of U.S. immigration law?

Common Questions About Political Affiliations and Associations With Certain Organizations

• Have you ever been a member of a nobility? If yes, would you give up your title to prove your allegiance to the U.S.?

• Have you been associated with or a member of any organizations?

• What organization(s) have you been affiliated with?

• What political party do your beliefs most align with?

• Have you ever been associated with or a member of the Communist Party, the Nazi Party, or a terrorist organization?

USCIS Interview Questions FAQs

What questions should you ask the officer in a USCIS interview?

It’s important to ask clarifying questions if you don’t understand something.

You can also inquire about the next steps in the process, such as, “How long will it take to receive a decision?” or “What can I do if I am denied?”

Additionally, you may want to ask about any specific requirements or timelines for your case.

What can you expect at a USCIS interview?

Expect a formal setting where an officer will review your application and ask questions to verify your eligibility.

You may encounter personal questions that could seem invasive, so be prepared.

The atmosphere is generally serious, and officers strive to maintain professionalism.

Arrive on time, dress appropriately, be ready to provide honest and concise answers, and avoid unprofessionalism.

How do you pass a USCIS interview?

The decision is ultimately up to the discretion of the USCIS officer, however, here are some tips for success:

• Be truthful and concise
• Be punctual
• Prepare answers and explanations
• Practice your responses to sample questions
• Listen carefully
• Dress professionally
• Review supporting documents for accuracy and ensure you bring them to your interview

How many questions does USCIS ask in an interview?

Typically, you can expect around 10-20 questions relevant to your case, and 10 civics questions during the naturalization interview. Being well-prepared for this range will help ease anxiety and enhance your performance.

USCIS Naturalization Interview Civics Question Answers

Questions and answers to the civics exam can be found on the USCIS website.

See Also:

Marriage Green Card (Checklist, Forms and Processing Time)

U.S. Citizenship Application Guide – N-400

Green Card for Parents (IR-5 Visa)