Master prompt
N-400 interview + Oath of Allegiance preparation (US)
Prep client for the USCIS N-400 interview, English reading/writing test, civics oral test, and the §337 Oath of Renunciation and Allegiance.
USNaturalizationN-400 interviewOathINA 337Civics test
Prepare [CLIENT_NAME] for the N-400 naturalization interview on [INTERVIEW_DATE] at the [FIELD_OFFICE] field office.
§1 — WHAT TO BRING TO THE INTERVIEW
ESSENTIAL:
(a) USCIS interview notice (printed)
(b) Green card (Permanent Resident Card I-551)
(c) All current and previous passports (every one held since LPR date)
(d) State-issued photo ID (driver's license / state ID card)
(e) Marriage certificate (and divorce decrees from prior marriages) — even if not a spouse-route case
(f) Spouse's documents (if §319(a)): US citizen evidence + spouse's photo ID
(g) Tax records for last 5 years (3 years for §319(a)) — preferably IRS transcripts; alternative is signed 1040 copies
(h) Selective Service registration print-out (males who were 18-26 in US)
(i) Updated address: any moves since N-400 filed → bring proof
(j) Originals of every document submitted with N-400
IF APPLICABLE:
• N-470 approval (for specified employment abroad continuous residence preservation)
• N-648 medical certification (if claiming disability exception)
• Court records for any arrest / citation (certified dispositions)
• Probation completion / community service evidence
• Child support payment records (current — typically last 12 months)
• Updated travel since N-400 filing (passport stamps, boarding passes)
NOT ALLOWED IN INTERVIEW ROOM:
• Mobile phones (must be silenced; some Field Offices require collection)
• Beverages (water bottle may be permitted)
• Other people EXCEPT: interpreter (if No is Yes); attorney/accredited representative if G-28 filed; ADA accommodation aide
§2 — INTERVIEW STRUCTURE
The interview is typically 20-30 minutes. Order:
(a) ID verification at check-in — officer takes you to interview room
(b) Oath to tell the truth — administered by officer
(c) Review of N-400 — officer goes through each section, asks clarifying questions
(d) English speaking test — usually combined with N-400 review (officer assesses speech naturally during conversation)
(e) English reading test — officer asks applicant to read ONE sentence aloud from a list of ~30 USCIS sentences (correct in one of up to three attempts = pass)
(f) English writing test — officer dictates ONE sentence; applicant writes it (correct in one of up to three attempts = pass)
(g) Civics test — officer asks up to 10 questions from the 100-question pool; stops at 6 correct (PASS) or 5 incorrect (FAIL)
(h) Decision: typically oral on the spot — "I am recommending your N-400 for approval"
(i) If approved + administrative oath available same day: oath ceremony immediately follows
(j) If denied: written denial within 30-120 days; appeal via N-336 within 30 days
§3 — ENGLISH TESTS — practice content
READING (one of these sentence types):
• Civics-related: "Citizens can vote." / "George Washington was the first President." / "The President lives in the White House."
• Practice with the USCIS Reading Vocabulary List (free on uscis.gov)
WRITING (one of these dictated sentences):
• Same style as reading: "Citizens have the right to vote." / "Lincoln was President during the Civil War."
• Practice with USCIS Writing Vocabulary List
If No is "Yes" (exemption applies):
• English read/write/speak NOT tested
• Interpreter must be 18+, fluent in English and applicant's language, NOT a witness in the case
• Client provides own interpreter unless USCIS provides one for specific languages
§4 — CIVICS TEST — coaching tips
• Speak audibly — officer types responses
• If you don't know an answer, "I don't know" is OK — officer moves on
• If you give a wrong answer, officer marks it and moves on; don't argue
• Some questions have multiple acceptable answers — officer accepts any one
• Officer stops asking after 6 correct (PASS) — don't volunteer additional information
• "Current officeholder" questions: ensure you know current President, VP, Speaker of House, your state's two Senators, your US Representative, your state's Governor (verify with USCIS site within 30 days of interview — these change)
§5 — N-400 REVIEW — likely officer questions
The officer goes through each section of N-400:
Part 1 — Identification: confirm name, DOB, USCIS A#
Part 2-3 — Eligibility route + LPR history: review LPR date, source visa
Part 4-7 — Information about you: address history, marital status, employment
Part 8 — Travel: walk through every trip outside US in qualifying period — officer cross-checks passport stamps
Part 9-10 — Children: verify each child's status (US citizen, LPR, non-LPR)
Part 11 — Gender / disability accommodations
Part 12 — Eligibility yes/no questions: officer asks each one verbally to ensure understanding
• CRITICAL: §12 questions about ever having claimed to be US citizen, voted in US election, owed taxes, been arrested, etc. — review every Yes answer beforehand
• Any inconsistency between N-400 and oral answer = REPLY HONESTLY and explain
Part 13-14 — Signature and final attestations
§6 — THE OATH OF RENUNCIATION AND ALLEGIANCE (INA §337, 8 CFR §337.1)
FULL TEXT (standard, no modifications):
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
MODIFICATIONS (None):
• Religious modification (substitute "affirm" for "swear" / drop "so help me God"):
"I hereby declare, on affirmation, that I absolutely and entirely renounce..."
• Bear arms modification (sincere religious / conscientious objection — must establish by evidence; substitute non-combatant service or work of national importance only):
Omit "that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law" — keep "noncombatant service" and "work of national importance" clauses
• Both modifications combined: affirmation form + omit bear-arms clause
[CLIENT_NAME]'s elected modifications: None — confirm with client and prepare amended oath text for the ceremony.
§7 — OATH CEREMONY FORMAT (Administrative)
ADMINISTRATIVE OATH (same day, USCIS Field Office):
• Held immediately after interview when officer approves and ceremony scheduled
• Group ceremony with other approved applicants
• Family/friends welcome as guests (limited capacity)
• Receive Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) at ceremony
• Smart attire — many wear cultural / traditional dress
JUDICIAL OATH (federal courthouse, weeks-months later):
• In some districts, federal court ceremonies are held (especially in jurisdictions where courts elected to retain jurisdiction)
• Held by federal judge
• More formal — usually larger group
• Same Oath, same Certificate
§8 — IMMEDIATELY POST-OATH
(a) Sign and review Certificate of Naturalization — check name, DOB, A#, date for accuracy. Corrections must be requested immediately at the office.
(b) Surrender green card at ceremony (you are no longer an LPR)
(c) DO NOT laminate the Certificate (USCIS official guidance)
(d) Apply for US passport via Department of State (Form DS-11 first-time) — typically 6-8 weeks routine; $130 application fee + $35 execution fee
(e) Apply for SSA name update if name changed in N-400
(f) Register to vote with your state's Secretary of State
(g) Update banks, employers, and DMV with citizenship status
(h) If client holds Indian citizenship → flag automatic loss under Indian Citizenship Act 1955 s.9 + 3-month Indian passport surrender requirement
(i) Apply for OCI via VFS Global US (separate prompt: us-citizenship-india-renunciation-oci)
§9 — REHEARSAL CHECKLIST FOR CLIENT
In the week before [INTERVIEW_DATE]:
□ Re-read entire submitted N-400 (especially Part 12 questions and answers)
□ Drill 100 civics questions until confident (use USCIS free flashcards)
□ Practice English reading + writing from USCIS vocabulary lists
□ Confirm interview address at [FIELD_OFFICE] + arrival time (30 min early)
□ Assemble document folder with tabbed sections matching N-400 parts
□ If any new arrests / criminal matters / address changes / travel — bring evidence
End with: "DRAFT preparation guide — coach [CLIENT_NAME] to review N-400 with officer naturally, not memorised. Confirm interview details ([INTERVIEW_DATE], [FIELD_OFFICE], Administrative, None) against USCIS notice. Any post-filing update — new arrest, new address, new trip, name change — must be disclosed at interview. Civics test 'current officeholder' answers should be re-verified within 7 days of interview from USCIS.gov."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt