Preparing for your naturalization exam

Let’s say you succeeded in obtaining your Lawful Permanent Residence in the United States and that you are enjoying the relief of knowing you can legally live and work here for the rest of your life. However, nowadays, as immigration laws are being enforced more strictly, being a Lawful Permanent Resident should not be the ultimate goal of an immigrant, for that relief you are enjoying could be temporary. Instead, one really needs to look beyond mere residency in this country and seek to obtain U.S. citizenship. After all, if you are planning on living here permanently, you might as well be eligible for all the benefits this country offers without being at the mercy of the ever-changing immigration laws.

These types of application procedures and interviews before the offices of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) are fairly straightforward. However, many people encounter a number of problems at their interviews with CIS, mainly for one reason: lack of preparation. It is worth it to reiterate that while it is always to your advantage to seek the advice of an experienced attorney, to guide you on the preparation for the interview, here are a few general guidelines to remember.

The Application Procedure

The application to become a citizen of the United States is called the “Application for Naturalization, Form N-400”. Similar to the advice we presented in other issues of our newspapers, when preparing any application packet for CIS, make sure that you answer each and every one of the questions on the forms. This is extremely important to remember when filing an application for naturalization, where any omission could be interpreted by CIS as an attempt by you to be less than truthful. Therefore, this is not the time to abbreviate or “forget” to respond to questions or forget to provide all of the information required. If there is not enough space on the form itself, use an additional piece of paper to include the additional information. If you cannot remember a specific date do your very best to give a good estimate. If a specific question does not apply to you, simply write “not applicable” or “none”. For additional guidance on the information that is being asked of you, review the instructions for the application, which are generally attached to the beginning of the form.
Next, include with the application, two (2) passport-photos and copies, and copies only, of the required documents including: Lawful Permanent Resident Card, birth certificate, all passports used since obtaining Lawful Permanent Residence, marriage certificate, divorce judgment(s). Keep the original documents in a safe place, for you will have to show them on the day of your interview to the Officer as CIS, so he or she can compare the originals to the copies. Also, do not forget to include a check or money order for the filing fees.
Now, before you send this initial packet to CIS, make a copy for your records of everything you are sending, from the forms to the photos, to the check or money order, and the supporting documents. Finally, send the application packet by certified mail with return receipt requested. You should also expect to get a receipt notice from CIS, approximately thirty (30) days after you mail the application, as further acknowledgment that they have received your application.

Additional Documents to Prepare Before the Interview

The above refers to a basic application packet to be sent to CIS. After sending the application for naturalization and the supporting documents, you will have to wait to be scheduled for your fingerprints and then for the interview. The waiting period will vary depending on where you live. However, the receipt notice from CIS should give you an idea on the length of time you should wait. If that time has passed, contact CIS to follow-up on your application, so that you are scheduled for your interview in due time.
While you wait, however, you should take this time to begin to collect the additional documents that you will need to present on the day of your interview, including:

Just as important, you should use this time to study for your English, history, and government exam. Study guides for the exam can be found at the library, bookstores, and even directly from CIS.

It is strongly suggested that you buy a good folder, with separations if possible, and that you save in all of the documents mentioned in this article, including: the copy of your application packet, the return receipt as proof of delivery, the receipt notice as proof of payment of the filing fees for your application, your the original documents, taxes, court dispositions, etc…

When you receive the appointment date, collect all of your original documents and make one copy of each and every document, so that you can show the originals to the Officer at CIS, but give him or her the copies for the file.

The Naturalization Interview

As with any other interview with CIS, on the day of your interview you should begin the day by eating a good breakfast, for you may end up spending several hours sitting at CIS just waiting to be called. You might also want to bring something to read, to help you pass the time while you wait to be called for your interview.

Dress nicely and conservative for the interview, you are trying to impress an Officer of the government, and not enjoying a day off from work or trying to gain entry into a nightclub. Arrive on time for the interview, or even better, arrive a few minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Bring with you the folder you have saved since submitting your application, with all of your original documents and an extra copy just in case. The Officer might want to see the originals, but if they want to keep any documents, they should keep the copies. Please note that CIS requires original court dispositions to be submitted, so the copies you made will be for your records.

The actual interview at this stage should last between half an hour and forty-five minutes. Only you are allowed into the interview, so there is no need to bring your spouse, children, or other company. The only exception is for attorneys, who are allowed to be with you during the interview, but can only help you if there is a legal issue in your case. The Officer will first administer an oath, where he or she will ask you to swear or affirm that you will tell nothing but the truth. From that moment on, it will be very important that the Officer hears a clear answer to all of the questions.

While each Officer is a unique individual with a unique way of handing the interview, they all generally proceed in the same manner, although not necessarily in the same order. You should expect the Office to review the entire application, ask to see your documents, and give you the exam on the English, history, and government of the United States.

The exam consists of three parts. One part includes ten (10) questions about the government and history of the United States. Most Officers in New York, for example, will simply ask you the question and wait for your answer. In other offices of CIS, some Officers will hand you a piece of paper with the questions on it and ask you to write the answers next to the questions. Out of the ten (10) questions, you need to get at least six (6) correct to pass this part of the exam. A second part of the exam consists of writing a sentence in English. The Officer will dictate one to three simple sentences and ask you to write them down. This will test your ability to write in English. The third part of the exam consists in reading a paragraph out loud, so that the Officer can verify that you can read in English.

There are some exceptions to the exam. For example, the English language requisites do not apply to persons over the age of 50, who have resided in the United States as Lawful Permanent Residents for at least 20 years or those over the age of 55 who have resided in the United States as Lawful Permanent Residents for at least 15 years. There are other exemptions for people who are physically or developmentally disabled.

Finally, please remember that if you are not sure what the Officer is asking, it is your responsibility to ask the Officer to clarify the question. Do not answer a question that you do not understand. If you provide wrong or misleading information, this could prejudice the approval of your application.

After the Interview

If all goes well, the Officer will approve your case and will schedule you for a ceremony to the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. On the day of the oath ceremony, CIS will take your Lawful Permanent Resident Card and issue you the U.S. Certificate of Naturalization. You may then apply to receive a U.S. Passport. And do not forget to register to vote!