What Documents do I Need for the Citizenship Interview

After you have submitted form N400 to apply to naturalize and had your biometrics taken at the local USCIS Application Support Center (ASC), you should then be invited to attend your naturalization interview at the closest USCIS Field Office.

You will be notified about your interview location, date, and time through a USCIS letter mailed or emailed to you. Be sure to carefully mark down the date of the interview on your calendar and set up a reminder using your task management system or smartphone. We recommend arriving at least a half hour before the time of your actual interview – you should factor in travel time and the impact of traffic.

After all of the time and effort spent to get your interview set up, you simply do not want to be late or miss it entirely and then seek to reschedule. In addition to setting a reminder, it’s important to review the n400 naturalization interview requirements and ensure you’re familiar with the questions asked in the naturalization interview. Familiarizing yourself with the n-400 document checklist and preparing all documents required for the naturalization interview can prevent any last-minute problems.

On the interview notice, you will be alerted in bold letters that “You MUST BRING the following with you to the interview:” What follows are the key items that your adjudicating officer will ask you to provide in her office at the interview, and the first item is required to even get past security and into the waiting room:

•       Interview notice letter (have this letter available to show to the USCIS security officers before you enter the metal detector at the entrance to the Field Office. The officers will check that your letter shows you do have an appointment within the next half and that you are not too late or too early.)
•       Green card (also known as your “Alien Registration Card”).
•       Passport (bring your current passport and any expired passports that can help show past travel dates or issued visas). Additionally, adhering to the dress code for the citizenship interview and understanding what to wear can help make a good impression. Preparing for these small details can enhance your confidence and portray a well-prepared applicant.
•       If you are a man: Selective Service Registration (only for those who were required to register, bring either proof of registration or a status information letter from the Selective Service).
•       If you have been arrested or detained anywhere in the world and no charges were filed: Court-certified arrest report and certified statement from the court or arresting agency that no charges were filed.
•       If you have been arrested or detained and charges were filed or you were convicted: Court-certified arrest reports, charging documents, court dispositions, sentencing records, and evidence that you completed your sentence, such as a probation record.  It’s crucial to gather all documents needed for a naturalization interview including any legal documents about your judicial history. Being transparent and prepared with all necessary paperwork, including additional documents for n400, can significantly impact the outcome of your interview.
•       If your record was expunged or removed: bring a court-certified order for this expungement or an original statement from the court stating a criminal record no longer exists.
•       If you have a criminal issue in your past or an issue related to proving good moral character: bring proof that you have maintained good moral character for the “statutory period” for your case. Examples of evidence include proof you have paid your taxes and letters of support from an employer or colleague. Understanding the naturalization interview process and what documents are required for a citizenship interview can mitigate any potential issues. This includes bringing any relevant n400 additional evidence that can demonstrate your ongoing good moral character and integration into U.S. society.
•       If you are naturalizing on a faster three-year timeline based on your marriage to a U.S. citizen: bring a certified marriage certificate, any divorce or death certificates for a prior marriage of yourself or your spouse, or your spouse’s birth certificate.
•       If you are naturalizing based on your service in the U.S. armed forces: bring your discharge certificate or form DD214.

Lastly, depending on your naturalization, specific documents such as a marriage certificate or DD214 may be necessary. Prepare all documents needed for citizenship carefully to ensure you meet all criteria discussed during the naturalization interview, enhancing your likelihood of a successful outcome.