Naturalization/Citizenship Interview

During your naturalization interview, a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer will ask you questions about your application and background. Unless you qualify for an exemption, you will also take a naturalization test which is made up of two components, an English and civics test.

• During the English test, you must demonstrate an understanding of the English language including the ability to read, write, and speak basic English.

• During the civics test, you will answer important questions about American government and history.

Before your naturalization interview, study for the English and civics test by using USCIS’s free resources to help you prepare—including the video located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDb9_CqPUTQ&feature=youtu.be

Civics Test Overview

For the English portion of the naturalization test you must demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write, and speak basic English.

• Your ability to speak and understand English will be determined by a USCIS officer during your eligibility interview on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

• For the reading test, you must read out loud one out of three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to read in English.

• For the writing test, you must write one out of the three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to write in English.

2008 Version

The 2008 version of the civics test is an oral test, and the USCIS officer will ask you up to 10 questions from the list of 100 civics test questions. You must answer 6 questions correctly to pass the 2008 version of the civics test.

• Applicants for naturalization with a filing date (also known as a receipt date) before Dec. 1, 2020, will take the 2008 version of the civics test.

2020 Version

The 2020 version of the civics test is an oral test, and the USCIS officer will ask you 20 questions from the list of 128 civics test questions. You must answer at least 12 of the 20 questions correctly to pass the 20220 version of the civics test.

• Applicants for naturalization with a filing date (also known as a receipt date) on or after Dec. 1, 2020 are required to take the 2020 version of the civics test. Find more information about the 2020 civics test and study materials to help you prepare.

65/20 Special Consideration

If you are 65 years old or older and have been living in the United States as a lawful permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the 20 questions that have been marked with an asterisk (*) found at the end of each question. You may also take the naturalization test in the language of your choice.

Note that on the naturalization test, some answers may change because of elections or appointments. You must answer the question with the name of the official serving at the time of your naturalization interview.

If You Don’t Pass

You will be given two attempts to take the English and civics tests and to answer all questions relating to your naturalization application in English. If you fail any of the tests at your initial interview, you will be retested on the portion of the test that you failed (English or civics) between 60 and 90 days from the date of your initial interview. See 8 CFR 312.5(a) and 335.3(b).

In South Carolina, as in all states, the naturalization/citizenship interview is a critical step in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. This interview includes questions about the applicant's Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, as well as their personal background. Applicants are required to take an English and a civics test unless they qualify for an exemption based on age and residency or disability. The English test evaluates the applicant's ability to read, write, and speak in English. The civics test focuses on knowledge of U.S. history and government. Study materials, including a USCIS video, are available to help prepare for these tests. For the civics test, applicants who filed their Form N-400 before December 1, 2020, are required to take the 2008 version of the test, which requires six correct answers out of ten questions. Those who filed on or after December 1, 2020, must take the 2020 version, which requires twelve correct answers out of twenty questions. There is a special consideration for applicants who are 65 years or older and have been permanent residents for at least 20 years; they may take a simplified version of the test. It's important to note that answers to certain questions, especially those about current government officials, may change due to political changes. Applicants are given two opportunities to pass the tests. If they fail on the first attempt, they can retest between 60 to 90 days later.