The Fascinating Story Behind the U.S. Citizenship Interview

The U.S. Citizenship Interview is one of the most meaningful moments in any immigrant’s journey. It’s the day you sit across from a USCIS officer, answer questions about your life, your background, and your understanding of America — and it’s the day that can lead you to becoming a U.S. citizen.

But have you ever wondered how the U.S. Citizenship Interview began? Who conducted the very first one? What kinds of US civics test questions were asked back then? Let’s dive into the surprising history and evolution of this proud American tradition.

1.  The Beginning: How the First Immigrants Became Citizens

Long before the modern U.S. citizenship interview existed, immigrants became citizens through local courts. In 1790, Congress passed the first Naturalization Act, which allowed “free white persons” of good moral character who had lived in the United States for at least two years to apply for citizenship.

There were no official interview rooms, no standard forms, and definitely no printed US civics test questions. Instead, the process was personal and often emotional. Applicants would appear before a judge, swear loyalty to the new nation, and sometimes answer a few informal questions about their allegiance and intentions.

Back then, naturalization was a community event. Neighbors or employers would often testify to a person’s honesty and contribution to society. It wasn’t an interview as we know it today — it was a declaration of belonging.

2.  The First “U.S. Citizenship Interview”

While there’s no exact record of the very first U.S. Citizenship Interview, historians believe the concept began taking shape in the early 1900s.

In 1906, the federal government passed the Basic Naturalization Act, which standardized naturalization forms, certificates, and procedures. This law introduced a uniform national system and laid the groundwork for the U.S. Citizenship Interview as we know it.

That’s when immigration officials started asking structured questions to verify applicants’ eligibility. Early officers asked about personal background, residence, employment, and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution. Over time, questions about U.S. history, symbols, and government became part of the process — the beginning of what would evolve into the US civics test questions.

3.  The Birth of the Civics Test

The US civics test questions didn’t officially appear until the mid-20th century. At first, there was no single list — officers asked whatever they thought proved someone’s knowledge of America. One might ask, “Who is the President of the United States?” while another might ask, “What year did the Constitution go into effect?”

By the 1950s, the government recognized the need for fairness and consistency. So, they began developing an official list of questions. That’s how the U.S. Citizenship Interview evolved from a local, unpredictable meeting into a structured and standardized national process.

Today, applicants must correctly answer twelve out of twenty US civics test questions chosen from a pool of 128. These cover everything from the Constitution and U.S. history to government structure and geography.

4.  How the U.S. Citizenship Interview Has Evolved

The U.S. Citizenship Interview has changed dramatically over the decades — not just in format, but also in meaning.

• In the early 1800s, applicants simply swore an oath in front of a judge.

• By 1906, federal oversight introduced formal applications and background reviews.

• By the mid-1900s, officers began testing English and civics knowledge through structured US civics test questions.

• In the 2000s, USCIS modernized the interview to include both an English test and the official 100-question civics test.

• Today, the U.S. Citizenship Interview is a one-on-one meeting with a USCIS officer that combines document review, conversation, English knowledge testing, and 128 Civic Questions.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people prepare for their U.S. Citizenship Interview, studying their US civics test questions and practicing how to explain their answers clearly in English.

5.  Interesting Facts About the U.S. Citizenship Interview

1. The Oath of Allegiance has existed for more than 200 years — though its wording has changed slightly over time.

2. The first official civics tests were handwritten by officers before standardized lists existed.

3. During World War II, soldiers applying for citizenship often skipped the traditional U.S. Citizenship Interview and were naturalized in military ceremonies overseas.

4. The US civics test questions once included more local questions, like naming your state governor or senators.

5. Today, more than 700,000 people successfully pass the U.S. Citizenship Interview each year and become U.S Citizens.

6.  What Happens During a Modern U.S. Citizenship Interview

Today’s U.S. Citizenship Interview has three main parts:

1.    The Personal Review

The USCIS officer reviews your N-400 Application for Naturalization, confirming your name, address, travel history, and moral character. You’ll be asked questions about your background, family, and whether you’ve obeyed U.S. laws.

2.    The English Test

You’ll show you can speak, read, and write in English. The officer evaluates your speaking ability throughout the U.S. Citizenship Interview, and you’ll read and write one sentence each.

3.    The Civics Test

You’ll be asked up to twenty US civics questions. If you answer twelve correctly, you pass. You can find the questions and answers on USCIS web page.

If you study well, this part can be surprisingly enjoyable, it’s like a mini-quiz on the story of your new country.

7.  From Past to Present: The Spirit of the Interview

Although the format has evolved, the heart of the U.S. Citizenship Interview remains the same — a moment of connection, respect, and gratitude. It’s when an immigrant officially becomes part of the American story.

From the first oath takers in the 1790s to modern applicants reviewing their US civics test questions on their phones, the process has always symbolized hope, freedom, and belonging.

8.  How the BeCitizen App Helps You Ace Your U.S. Citizenship Interview

Preparing for your U.S. Citizenship Interview doesn’t have to be stressful. The BeCitizen App makes it simple, effective, and even fun.

Here’s how BeCitizen helps future Americans succeed:

•  Practice all official US civics test questions with instant feedback.

• Simulate a real U.S. Citizenship Interview with mock interviews that include personal questions from your N-400.

• Track your progress and focus on the questions you miss.

• Learn anytime, anywhere, in your own language, with audio and translations.

With BeCitizen, you don’t just memorize facts. You gain confidence. You’ll walk into your U.S. Citizenship Interview prepared, calm, and ready to show what you’ve learned about America’s history, government, and values.

Final Thoughts

The U.S. Citizenship Interview is more than an exam. It’s a conversation between your past and your future. From the first immigrants who stood before local judges to today’s applicants answering US civics test questions with smartphones in hand, every generation of new Americans shares the same goal: to belong, to contribute, and to call this nation home.

Let the BeCitizen App guide you on that journey, because your American story starts with confidence.