US citizenship interview preparation and actual interview

If you followed my advice on filing an application for American citizenship without using an attorney, you will get an appointment for a fingerprint (which basically requires you to show up and get your fingerprint) and later on an appointment for an interview.

How to prepare for the naturalization interview?

• I am assuming that your English is good enough since you are reading this article. Generally speaking, you need to know even less English than that. If you can have a casual conversation with an English speaking person, write a few simple words, and read some English, you are in good shape. If you have an accent, don't worry.
• Download the guide for questions asked during the interview and make sure that you know all the answers. Study and practice. Some answers are pretty obvious if you read the newspaper and watch television. Some are a bit difficult, especially those pertaining to history and constitution. Memorize them and also do some research to understand a bit more about them (you don't need to know more than what is in the list of questions but I have found that rather than just memorizing the names of a few players involved in the Declaration of Independence, it is a good idea to understand some context and you will then never forget it).
• Get all your documents ready in one file neatly organized with dividers so if the officer asks you for your tax returns you don't have to look through three hundred pages to find the tax return for 1999. If they are all marked, you will be able to pull it out in no time and will not get nervous.
• Prepare an outfit for the interview. You can wear whatever you want based on your cultural origins or religious beliefs but the rule of thumb is to wear something that you would use in a formal or business setting. No need for anything flashy or expensive. All you need is a clean, professional outfit. The way I like to say it is that it should be something that will not make you stand out and the officer wouldn't even notice it.

The day of the interview

• Arrive ahead of time; you don't want to get lost or be late. Bring something to read (it is not a good idea to study for the test there since it is expected that you have already prepared well and last minute study only makes you more nervous) and a small snack with water is also a good idea since you may have to wait a while. Don't bring children and forget the cell phone.
• Almost all officers are very pleasant and professional and have no reason to give you a hard time if your case is straightforward and you show them the courtesy that they rightfully deserve. Be truthful and honest. Ask the officer to repeat the question if you don't understand something or to even re-phrase it. You can also give a long answer to a question that would otherwise be a simple yes/no answer to make sure that you say what is really the case no matter how the question is asked.
• If you do all of this and your case was otherwise clear, you will either be administered the oath right there or given an appointment for the swearing-in ceremony.