4 Tips For Your N-400 Naturalization Interview

Right before an immigrant can become a naturalized American citizen, they must go through the N-400 naturalization interview.

A failure to satisfy the requirements of the N-400 naturalization interview will lead to the denial of an immigrant’s naturalization request.

To ensure that an immigrant can, and does, become a naturalized American citizen, they should follow the four tips outlined below. 

Review Every N-400 Question Before Responding 

Every question presented within the N-400 naturalization interview is a little different from the question preceding it. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance that an immigrant going through the interview reviews every question before they respond.

To ensure that every question is understood, it helps to ask for clarification, when it is necessary. Outside of asking for clarification, carefully considering each question, and what it means, is also very useful.

 Bring Your Original Documents To The Interview 

Every immigrant must bring several different documents to their N-400 naturalization interview. Some of the most notable documents every immigrant must bring are as follows:

• Birth certificate
• Passport
• Green card
• State ID
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce certificate, if applicable
• Reentry permits
• The most recent income tax return

Every single one of these documents is necessary. A failure to bring these documents can lead to one of the following outcomes occurring:

• The immigration official submitting a Request for Evidence, thereby delaying the interview
• The immigration official denying the immigrant’s naturalization request.

Since neither one of these outcomes is desirable, bringing one’s original documents is both highly recommended and necessary.

 Mention, And Address, Any Recent Trips Out Of The United States 

Many immigrants take trips out of the United States. Even though there is nothing wrong with this, an immigrant may need to mention and/or address these trips and their purpose, during the N-400 naturalization interview.

Since this is the case, every immigrant should be prepared to mention any recent trips they went on. Right after mentioning this trip, they may need to address the purpose of this trip. By being prepared to mention and address these trips, it is likely that the interview will go more smoothly.

 Mention If You Are Nervous 

The N-400 naturalization interview isn’t too challenging. But, given the consequences of failing the interview, it can be stressful.

Even though it may not seem wise to do so, an immigrant who is nervous, while conducting their interview, should mention that fact.

By mentioning that they are nervous, the immigration official conducting the interview can, and will, repeat certain questions and conduct the interview in a steady, patient manner. Conducting the interview in this manner will ensure that the immigrant can relax and answer each question to the best of their abilities.

 Speak With A Houston Immigration Attorney 

Going through the N-400 naturalization interview can be stressful and confusing.

Speak with a Houston immigration attorney today and we will assist you in not only getting an interview, but becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.

 Sources: 

uscis.gov/n-400

uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/M-477.pdf