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where you can find all of the study material and news about U.S. naturalization.
A lot of you have asked us what are the most asked questions during the naturalization interview.
First, every application form is different
and what will be asked depends on the interview immigration officer and your application form.
However, we compiled a list of the most asked questions based on feedback from actual applicants
Today, I will share 15 of them with you.
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US Naturalization Interview Most asked questions during the interview
First question
Why do you want to become a U.S. citizen?
Most people answer
Because I want to vote
or I want to run for a federal office.
You probably should have an idea what federal office position you want to run for if you answer that.
Other possible answers can be
I believe in the form of government of the United States.
or Because of the rights and freedoms of Americans
Second question,
What is the form of government of the United States?
This is another commonly asked non-official question that you should know the answer to.
It's actually the first official question in the 2020 version civics test,
which is no longer being used.
The simple answer is
Republic
Don't confuse this word with Republican
Republic is a form of government
and Republican is one of the major political parties in the U.S.
Whether the political party of the current President is Democratic or Republican,
the answer to this question is always
Republic
Other possible answers can be
Constitution-based Federal Republic
Representative democracy
Democratic Republic
If you're applying through marriage,
the immigration officer might ask you the following question
Have you been living with your spouse for the past three years?
The immigration officer will most likely ask you this question if you apply for your citizenship through marriage
The reason is because you have to live with your U.S. citizen spouse
throughout the process until the oath ceremony if you are applying through marriage
It will be a good idea to bring supporting documents such as
joint tax transcripts,
the rental agreement or mortgage statement
phone bills, utility bills, or insurance bills showing the same address.
If you have children the immigration officer might ask you the following two questions.
How many children do you have?
On the n-400 application form part 11 it says
You must include all children including
children who were alive, missing, or deceased,
children born in the United States or in other countries,
children under 18 years of age or older,
children who are currently married or unmarried,
children living with you or elsewhere
current stepchildren, legally adopted children, and children born when you were not married
so that's pretty much any kind of child.
Then it says,
Provide the following information about all of your children listed in item number one regardless of age.
So, you need to include all children.
That means your stepchildren,
even if they are adults and they don't live with you.
Second question is
What's your children's relationship to you?
This question is not asking how is your relationship with your children,
which could be good or bad
and that's a bit personal.
This question is asking if they are your biological children,
your stepchildren or adopted children.
Did you register in the Presidential election last year?
This is a trick question
and it's related to part 12 questions two and three on your application form.
Question two asks
Have you ever registered to vote in any federal, state, or local election in the United States?
I hope not.
And question three says
Have you ever voted in any federal, state, or local election in the United States?
The answer should be "No" to both questions.
You shouldn't register to vote or vote for any federal, state, or local election in the U.S.
before you become a U.S. citizen
Many states now haven't incorporated voter registration into the application for a new or renewed driver's license or state ID
And some people will sometimes accidentally register to vote when renewing their driver's license or ID at the state DMV.
USCIS recently updated the guidelines and will not penalize an applicant who unknowingly or unwilfully registered to vote.
For the full updated policy, you can check out the link in the description.
Next, the immigration officer might follow up and ask
Well, why is that? (Why didn't you register to vote?)
You can simply say
Because I am not a U.S. citizen yet but hopefully soon.
Next question
Do you always file your taxes?
This is another trick question.
It's important to pay attention to the immigration officer.
This is the opposite of the question on your n-400 application form part 12 question 7A.
There it asks
Have you ever NOT filed a federal, state, or local tax return since you became a lawful permanent resident?
So the easiest way to answer this question is
I've always filed my taxes since I got my green card.
And it's perfectly fine if you don't file taxes for a valid reason
such as your income is below the filing threshold.
One more thing to be noted.
If you are applying for naturalization through marriage,
it's a good idea if you file your taxes jointly to show that your marriage is bona fide.
Next question
Do you owe any taxes?
Filing and paying taxes is one of the indicators to show that you have good moral character
Basically that you're a good person,
which is one of the requirements to become a U.S. citizen.
So it is important to not owe any taxes before your interview.
However, if you do owe taxes and don't have the ability to pay them off,
make sure to have an IRS payment plan in place before the interview.
Also make sure to bring the IRS payment plan and proof of payments with you during the interview
to show that your account is up to date.
Next question,
Have you called yourself a "non-U.S. resident" on any of the tax returns?
This is related to part 12 question 8 on your N-400 application form.
There it says,
Have you ever called yourself a "non-U.S. resident" on a federal, state, or local tax return since you became a lawful permanent resident?
If you consider yourself to be a non-U.S. resident on your tax return,
you don't have to pay taxes for certain income overseas.
So the answer for most of you should be "No"
and the reason is because you are a permanent resident and have been living in the U.S.
Another question,
Can you show me your tax return transcripts please?
Your interview notice is very generic and most likely will not mention about bringing tax return transcripts.
However, we strongly recommend you to bring the tax return transcripts.
We have seen more and more immigration officers asking for them at the interview.
Also, you need to bring tax return transcripts, not just your tax returns.
You can request them for free from the IRS website.
For more information, check out this video.
Next question,
Do you believe in religious freedom?
This is another trick question.
It is important to pay attention to the immigration officer.
This is the opposite of the question on your N-400 application form part 12 question 14F.
There it asks
Were you ever involved in any way with not letting someone practice his or her religion?
Remember, freedom of religion is one right in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
and it means you can practice any religion or not practice religion.
So the easiest way to answer this question is
I believe in religious freedom and always let others practice their religion.
Have you ever been arrested, cited, or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason?
If you had a traffic ticket,
the answer should be "Yes".
A lot of applicants might answer this question incorrectly while filling out the application form and that's perfectly fine
Just let the immigration officer know during the interview and bring supporting documents.
Usually, traffic tickets will not prevent you from getting your citizenship,
so there's no reason to hide it.
I went into more detail in this video if you need additional information.
Next question,
Have you ever been an alcoholic?
This is related to part 12 question 30A
An alcoholic is the same as a habitual drunkard,
which means someone who drinks too much alcohol on a regular basis
and it's affecting the person's judgment.
So the answer should be "No".
And last question for today's video
Do you practice polygamy?
Polygamy means being married to more than one person at the same time
and it's illegal in the U.S.
It's related to part 12 question 30D.
The answer should be "No".
All right, that's all.
Leave us a comment and make sure to be back for part two.
I'll see you next time. Bye!