Need an Immigration Lawyer to Prepare for the Naturalization Interview? Contact Us Today!

The naturalization interview is the final stage of becoming a U.S. citizen. After submitting your application for Form N-400, and getting fingerprinted, you will receive an invitation to interview from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with a date, time, and location. Next, the U.S. government will review all the information and documents you have submitted over the year. During this process, you will be one step closer to becoming an American and starting your new life, in a new country.

During the interview, a USCIS officer will ask you about your naturalization application (N-400) and base questions from the citizenship test. While answering them seems like the easiest part of the formal process, we can assure you it will take time to adequately prepare. It can feel like a nerve-wracking ordeal, but you don’t have to go at it alone. If you retained a lawyer for citizenship in LA, he or she can accompany you. As long as your legal representative submits Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney, they can stand by your side.

In this article, you will learn more about what to expect before, during, and after your interview. Similarly, we discuss how to prepare ahead of time to increase your chances of acceptance.

When is the U.S. Citizenship Interview?

After taking the written exam, which is intended to give the USCIS officer a general idea of how well you will transition from immigrant to citizen, Immigration Services will provide you with an appointment. The date and time specified on your notice is when you are expected to appear at a USCIS field office. A general concern for immigrants is whether they need to travel far. There is no need to worry, as the zip code you provided for your current address on Form N-400 is used to establish a proper site.

You should show up 30 to 45 minutes early to give you and your Los Angeles immigration lawyer time to go through the check-in process. It normally takes 14 months to get to this point, so we understand your urgency to make sure it goes smoothly. If you are unable to attend the date USCIS scheduled, request to reschedule by submitting a formal (written) request to the office on site well before the original date. With the recent backlog of applicants, you should expect month if not year-long delays.

Not showing up with sufficient warning will completely hurt your chances of becoming an American. USCIS will drop your application immediately. If you need legal immigration help to get your application reinstated, reach out to an attorney in LA.

Documents to Bring In (Including N-400)

USCIS will provide you with a list of documents, depending on your circumstances. You should bring the official appointment notice, a copy of your N-400, and supporting documents for your interview such as:

• Your green card
• Photo identification
• Passports and travel documents
• Evidence of marriage
• Documents to prove you have not settled outside the U.S. (abandoned residence)

It may have been some time before you submitted the N-400. In the beginning of your naturalization interview, the USCIS officer will ask if there are changes to your application that need to be addressed and updated. You must be prepared to provide information when asked. For instance, if you have a change of address, just got married, or had a child before the interview let the USCIS officer know with supporting documents. It may impact your eligibility. Therefore, having legal guidance from a Los Angeles attorney for naturalization exams will go a long way if you are faced with a challenge. If you experienced the following circumstances your citizenship can get delayed:

• An arrest after committing a crime
• Absence from the U.S. for more than six months
• Divorcing or separating if you are applying based on three years of marriage

The Interview and Exam

A USCIS officer will start the process by explaining what the interview is, and how it will impact your chance of naturalization. After proving your identity, you will be asked to raise your right hand and confirm to telling the truth during the interview.

The first round of questions will be based on Form N-400, regarding your background to confirm the information is accurate. Simultaneously, they will be assessing your ability to understand and speak English.  

The answers you provide to help the officer double-check your form is partially an English test. The officer will listen intently as you read sentences aloud and assess your ability to write the phrase afterward. There is no harm in asking them to repeat the question or phrase if needed. Take your time and prove that you have a strong understanding of what is being asked of you.

During the civics portion, you will be tested on several questions regarding U.S. history and government. To pass, 60% must be answered correctly out of 100 questions. Fortunately, there are no significant changes or updates to them annually. A practice test is available through the USCIS website. You should be able to answer the following:

•  “How many amendments does the Constitution have?”
• “Name your U.S. Representative.”
• “What are two Cabinet-level positions?”
• “Who is currently Chief Justice of the U.S.?”

What Happens Next?

In the end, you will be given Form N-652, which will let you know the results of your exam. If you failed one of them, there is no need to worry. You can try again within 90 days after a callback.

Your USCIS officer will do one final review of the documents you provided, including test results. Your immigration lawyer in LA can address or confirm any final concerns posed by the officer if they were to arise. When you are officially approved, you will be invited to attend a swearing-in ceremony. There, you can fulfill your dream of taking an oath of allegiance to the U.S. and becoming a citizen!

About Grey Law Immigration

At Grey Immigration, the values of integrity, honesty, commitment, and results are at the foundation of our firm. 

David Grey provides experienced representation to safeguard your rights through the immigration process. Whether it is advice, assistance with visa applications, or resolving an issue that is stalling your citizenship, we are here to help. At Grey Law, we strive to help clients through complex processes for positive results. Our Los Angeles immigration lawyers are well-versed in more than several practice areas:

• Family-Based Immigration
• Employment-Based Immigration
• Naturalization and Citizenship
• Permanent Residency and Green Card
• Deportation and Removal
• Immigrational Appeals
• Non-Immigrant Visas
• Criminal Victim Visa 

In the past year, COVID-19 has drastically impacted citizenship in the U.S. We have been able to adjust and act accordingly based on new restrictions and regulations. Our firm optimizes individual skills to produce superior results for all clients. For a free case review, give us a call at 323-622-1764 or email info@greylaw.com.