Prepare for n400 interview Oct 1, 2025

[Nishris 23]

Hi members,

 

I got my I-751 approved and received a 10-year green card. I applied for N-400 in March 2025 and finally have my interview scheduled in a few days.

 

I want to get advice on what to prepare for:

 

1. Is the civics test still the 2008 version?
2. Are there any moral character documents I should bring?
3. Should I bring originals of all documents submitted with my N-400?
4. My husband will accompany me—will he be asked questions or interviewed along with me?
5. Any tips for the English and civics test or typical interview questions?
6. Any recent experiences or changes in USCIS procedures that I should be aware of?

 

 

Any advice or guidance from anyone with recent experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

TIA

[OldUser 10,593]

7 hours ago, Nishris said:

My husband will accompany me—will he be asked questions or interviewed along with me?

Most likely, won't be asked any questions, but there is small chance always

[FeelingYoung66 30]

My wife's combo I-751/N-400 interview was three weeks ago.

 

1) The list of 100 possible civics questions is available on the USCIS website. I would go with that. The new 125 question list won't apply to you because you applied for your N-400 prior to Oct 20, 2025.

 

2) Good moral character. You likely easily meet that goal so I wouldn't worry about it. Just dress business-casual and be polite and positive. I'm sure you would anyway.

 

3) Yes. Never a bad idea.

 

4) The N-400 is normally a solo interview as far as I know. If the interview is a combined I-751/N-400 interview (which is often the case these days) the spouse must attend the I-751 portion and then frequently the officer will allow the spouse to sit-through the N-400 portion as a matter of courtesy.

 

5) Perhaps the easiest thing you'll ever do. Read a short sentence aloud in English and then write a short sentence in English on an iPad. You're Canadian so I think you pretty much got this.

 

6) The N-400 interview is a breeze if you can simply answer six out of ten civics questions that are published in advance. How simple is that? An enjoyable experience that is the last and final hurdle to becoming an American citizen. You'll be all smiles afterwards and hubby better take you out to an expensive dinner that evening.

[Nishris 23]

1 hour ago, FeelingYoung66 said:

My wife's combo I-751/N-400 interview was three weeks ago.

 

1) The list of 100 possible civics questions is available on the USCIS website. I would go with that. The new 125 question list won't apply to you because you applied for your N-400 prior to Oct 20, 2025.

 

2) Good moral character. You likely easily meet that goal so I wouldn't worry about it. Just dress business-casual and be polite and positive. I'm sure you would anyway.

 

3) Yes. Never a bad idea.

 

4) The N-400 is normally a solo interview as far as I know. If the interview is a combined I-751/N-400 interview (which is often the case these days) the spouse must attend the I-751 portion and then frequently the officer will allow the spouse to sit-through the N-400 portion as a matter of courtesy.

 

5) Perhaps the easiest thing you'll ever do. Read a short sentence aloud in English and then write a short sentence in English on an iPad. You're Canadian so I think you pretty much got this.

 

6) The N-400 interview is a breeze if you can simply answer six out of ten civics questions that are published in advance. How simple is that? An enjoyable experience that is the last and final hurdle to becoming an American citizen. You'll be all smiles afterwards and hubby better take you out to an expensive dinner that evening.

Thank you for your reply. Since I already got my I-751 approved and have a 10-year green card, I don’t think my interview will be a combo interview.

 

Do I need to print all the pictures I submitted with my N-400 application and bring them to the interview?

Are phones allowed during the interview?

 

[OldUser 10,593]

5 minutes ago, Nishris said:

 

Are phones allowed during the interview?

 

I wouldn't bring the phone. Reason: if you bring it, you may be asked to show its contents. Rarely, but happens.

[OldUser 10,593]

6 minutes ago, Nishris said:

 

 

Do I need to print all the pictures I submitted with my N-400 application and bring them to the interview?

 

You can do the minimum, you can do the maximum. Most likely, you won't be asked for it. But if you are and you don't have evidence with you - how would you feel?

 

I brought hundreds of pages of various evidence with me.

 

I didn't have to show any.

 

Many times, when officer sees you brought a lot of evidence, they don't ask for it. But if you come emptyhanded - they do ask a lot of times 

[FeelingYoung66 30]

4 hours ago, Nishris said:

Thank you for your reply. Since I already got my I-751 approved and have a 10-year green card, I don’t think my interview will be a combo interview. You are correct. With the I-751 already decided you are attending an N-400 Application for Naturalization interview only.

 

Do I need to print all the pictures I submitted with my N-400 application and bring them to the interview? I would say not. The N-400 interview is to determine your knowledge of how our government works and is also a test of your basic English skills.The validity of your marriage (as might be supported by the photos you submitted) is no longer in question as that was decided for a final time at your I-751 interview.

 

Are phones allowed during the interview? They are.. but why would you be needing one? I suggest you leave the phone in the car or at home and only bring with you what is mentioned in your appointment letter.

 

 

[OldUser 10,593]

I disagree with this statement, @FeelingYoung66:

 

 

"The validity of your marriage (as might be supported by the photos you submitted) is no longer in question as that was decided for a final time at your I-751 interview."

 

 

N-400 based on marriage to US citizen can prompt questions about marriage and its validity, even after I-751 approval

[Babu Frik 1,208]

19 hours ago, Nishris said:

 

Should I bring originals of all documents submitted with my N-400?

Did you read the invite? it specifically addresses this

[Fr8dog 503]

Bring everything you have (minus the phone, that one stays in the car). Hubby will most likely not even be called upon but you can bring him to.

 

Unless the letters have changed (it's been a while), they mention you can (or should) bring additional info for the marriage not previously submitted.

Personally I went with the "right sure whatever" approach and did not bring any additional info (wasn't asked for it either).

 

The main reason for bringing everything is that if something has gone missing or was overlooked (rare but it happens) you have it with you and can immediately correct the situation (the only reason I had originals and copies of every document paperwork with me). Generally if stuff has gone AWOL from your file it's stuff from previous petitions and from snail mail. If you've uploaded it, they will have it.

 

Photo's are one of those items I would not (and did not) bother with. But you do what you feel comfortable with.

 

Don't feel sad if they only want to see your passport and greencard, answer 6 questions instead of 10 (memorize the "local/current name" questions you'll most likely get of them)  and try to get you out of their office and into an oath ASAP. 

 

 

[Nishris 23]

I’ve seen a lot of YouTube videos about vocabulary definitions based on the N-400 form. Do officers actually ask about these definitions during the interview nowadays? Is this also part of passing the interview? Has anyone had recent experience with this?

Is there any official study material for these definitions? 

[OldUser 10,593]

28 minutes ago, Nishris said:

I’ve seen a lot of YouTube videos about vocabulary definitions based on the N-400 form. Do officers actually ask about these definitions during the interview nowadays? Is this also part of passing the interview? Has anyone had recent experience with this?

Is there any official study material for these definitions? 

This is typically asked if adjudicator feels like applicant doesn't speak good English or doesn't fully understand things.

 

They can ask for random definition of any word in questions, yes. I wasn't asked any of that but was ready for it.

[OldUser 10,593]

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

This is typically asked if adjudicator feels like applicant doesn't speak good English or doesn't fully understand things.

 

They can ask for random definition of any word in questions, yes. I wasn't asked any of that but was ready for it.

To eborate ... Example interaction:

 

Officer: How long was your drive today?

Applicant: Yes

Officer: Explain the meaning of "allegiance"

[Babu Frik 1,208]

10 hours ago, OldUser said:

To eborate ... Example interaction:

 

Officer: How long was your drive today?

Applicant: Yes

Officer: Explain the meaning of "allegiance"

 

 

[Nishris 23]

My interview was very easy, and I completed the oath ceremony right after the interview around 9 a.m. However, my online account still shows a document stating that my interview is scheduled today at 3 p.m. I already have my Certificate of Naturalization, and I submitted my green card. I’m hoping the system will update to the correct status soon.