USCIS lists four things every applicant brings to the naturalization interview: the interview appointment notice, your Permanent Resident Card, a state-issued ID, and all your passports and travel documents. Beyond those, what you need depends on your own case — marriages, name changes, arrests, taxes, trips — and USCIS's Document Checklist (Form M-477) is the official place to check.
From USCIS's Naturalization: What to expect page, bring to your naturalization interview:
The same page points to Form M-477, Document Checklist for the other documents you may need.
USCIS says you should bring original documents such as birth and marriage certificates to the interview, and that certified copies can also be provided in some cases (USCIS commonly asked questions). The Document Checklist and the N-400 instructions list what applies when:
| If this applies to you | Documents USCIS lists |
|---|---|
| Your name is different from the name on your green card | The document that legally changed it — marriage certificate, divorce decree or court document |
| You are applying based on marriage to a U.S. citizen | Evidence your spouse has been a citizen for 3 years, your current marriage certificate, proof all prior marriages of your spouse ended, and documents referring to you both (such as tax returns, bank accounts, leases) |
| You were married before | Proof that all earlier marriages ended (divorce decrees, annulments or death certificates) |
| You took a trip abroad of 6 months or more | Evidence you kept living, working or keeping ties in the U.S., such as IRS tax return transcripts. The N-400 instructions say to bring tax transcripts to the interview, especially in this case |
| You have ever been arrested or detained, or convicted | Original or court-certified arrest records and the final disposition for each incident; the N-400 instructions say you must bring originals or court-certified copies to the interview |
| You owe federal, state or local taxes | The signed payment agreement and documentation of the current status of the repayment plan |
| A spouse or child who does not live with you depends on you | Any support order and evidence that you paid support |
| An attorney or accredited representative is helping you | Form G-28 |
| You are asking for a medical disability exception | Form N-648 (filed with your application) |
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If you qualify to take the test in your own language, you must bring an interpreter who is fluent in English and your language (USCIS exceptions and accommodations). The interpreter takes an oath and must show a copy of a government-issued ID at the interview (Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Part B, Ch. 3).
You must report to the USCIS office at the date and time on your appointment notice (USCIS 10 Steps to Naturalization). Go through the civics questions one last time — the free practice test takes ten minutes — and check the answers that change with elections on uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates, plus your own senators, representative and governor.
USCIS lists your interview appointment notice, your Permanent Resident Card, a state-issued ID such as a driver's license, and all valid and expired passports and travel documents showing your absences since becoming a permanent resident. Other originals depend on your case; check Form M-477, Document Checklist.
Yes. USCIS says to bring originals such as birth, marriage, divorce and naturalization certificates, court orders, and court-certified arrest records, depending on your situation. Certain certified copies can also be provided.
The N-400 instructions say you should bring IRS tax transcripts to your interview, especially if you have traveled outside the United States for a period that lasted more than 6 months.
Yes, if you qualify to take the test in your own language. The interpreter must be fluent in English and your language, take an oath and show a government-issued ID.
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