How many Tries do you get if you Fail the Exam?

[Itsme27]

Hi:

My parents are preparing to apply for citizenship.
My dad speaks not fluent but good enough english where I think He will pass the Exam. My mother's english is not very fluent and I am worried that she might not pass her exam. I have two questions:

1) If they fail the exam, how many tries do they get? is there a limit on the number of times before you have to refile, and I am assuming pay another $400 dollars?

2) Is it possible that I can act as an interpreter for my mother, if needed. Is that allowed in an n-400 interview? and If it is up to what degree is it allowed?

Please don't flame my thread, I would just like an answer with people that might have some experiences with the questions above. Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[Flydog]

If they are old enough and have lived here long enough, there is an exemption from the language test (and they can bring an interpreter). Otherwise, they need to be able to converse with the IO, write a simple sentence and read a simple sentence (most of which are in the Guide to Naturalization's appendix).

Have you checked out the Guide. The rules should be there.

 

[Huracan]

Hi:

My parents are preparing to apply for citizenship.
My dad speaks not fluent but good enough english where I think He will pass the Exam. My mother's english is not very fluent and I am worried that she might not pass her exam. I have two questions:

1) If they fail the exam, how many tries do they get? is there a limit on the number of times before you have to refile, and I am assuming pay another $400 dollars?

2) Is it possible that I can act as an interpreter for my mother, if needed. Is that allowed in an n-400 interview? and If it is up to what degree is it allowed?

Please don't flame my thread, I would just like an answer with people that might have some experiences with the questions above. Thanks in advance for any responses.

Hi Itsme27,

No flaming I guess sometimes we're tough on people. Your question is a perfect question, and very reasonable. The problem is that at any given time only a few or no eyeballs with experience are going to see this, so then you get perfectly good answers like flydog and ours where we're aware that older folks get exemptions on the English knowledge part. I think Flydog's advice to check the rules on the naturalization guide is a good one. I believe there are rules about how long they have had to be in the U.S. and age limits also.

On the other hand I wonder if going with a lawyer to the interview could solve the interpretation/English rules somewhat. One way or the other, if you want citizenship I think it is fair to expect some effort to learn English. Although on this I have encountered feelings. For me, the English requirement should be dropped altogether. I don't see how someone cannot be a good citizen by getting his/her news on Chinese, or German or whatever language. Being a good citizen doesn't depend on language alone. So, I would say that with current rules it is better if they make an effort to learn English, but that on my personal view this shouldn't be a requirement.

My 2 cents.

 

[takadigi]

One major advice I can give you is that you really need to read the Guide to Naturalization, which you obviously have not read. You will get your answers there. But I will accommodate for your slack and answer your questions.

This is not flaming. But just pointing you to the right direction so that you can make the right decision.

1) If they fail the exam, how many tries do they get? is there a limit on the number of times before you have to refile, and I am assuming pay another $400 dollars?

After 2 unsuccessful attempts, the application will be denied.

2) Is it possible that I can act as an interpreter for my mother, if needed. Is that allowed in an n-400 interview? and If it is up to what degree is it allowed?

No, she cannot use an interpreter unless she qualifies for English waver, which is based on age and number of years she has been a Legal Permanent Resident. Read the Naturalization Guide for details on the qualification criteria.

 

[N400Applier]

Hi:

My parents are preparing to apply for citizenship.
My dad speaks not fluent but good enough english where I think He will pass the Exam. My mother's english is not very fluent and I am worried that she might not pass her exam. I have two questions:

1) If they fail the exam, how many tries do they get? is there a limit on the number of times before you have to refile, and I am assuming pay another $400 dollars?

2) Is it possible that I can act as an interpreter for my mother, if needed. Is that allowed in an n-400 interview? and If it is up to what degree is it allowed?

Please don't flame my thread, I would just like an answer with people that might have some experiences with the questions above. Thanks in advance for any responses.

You get a total of two attempts at passing the English and the History/Civics test.

Please ask your parents to prepare with simple english reading and writing as well as the history/civics test.

Also contact a lawyer to see if they are eligible for exceptions.

But the total number of attempts is two. If you fail then your application is denied. You can appeal (very low chance of success in this kind of appeal) or apply for a N-400 and start the process all over again (time consuming and expensive).

So have your parents prepare seriously and hope that they good a kind officer during the interview.

Good Luck.

 

[equate]

Hi:
2) Is it possible that I can act as an interpreter for my mother, if needed. Is that allowed in an n-400 interview? and If it is up to what degree is it allowed?

We'll be nice. If you tell us how old your parents are and how long they've been green card holders, we'll let you know if your parents qualify for a interpretor and simplified exam.

 

[boatbod]

You need to also be aware that the whole N-400 interview is considered part of the English test - if the applicant and IO can't communicate (in English) sufficiently to answer all questions related to the application, the IO is at liberty to terminate the interview early. There has been at least one report of this happening within the last couple months.