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Most people become U.S. Citizens in one of two ways:
1) By birth, either within the territory of the U.S. or to U.S. citizen parents, or
2) By naturalization
In addition, in 2000, Congress passed the Child Citizenship Act (CCA), which allows any child under the age of 18 who is adopted by a U.S. citizen and immigrates to the United States to acquire immediate citizenship.
Generally, the requirements for naturalization include:
1) Individual must be 18 years of age;
2) Lawfully admitted to permanent residence;
3) A period of continuous residence in the U.S. for at least 5 years prior to filing (at least 3 years on a spousal based green card) with no single absence from the U.S. for more than 1 year;
4) A period of physical presence in the U.S. for at least 30 months or (18 months on spousal based green card). Absences of more than 6 months but less than 1 year shall disrupt the applicant's continuity of residence unless the applicant can establish that he or she did not abandon his or her residence during such period);
5) Residence in a particular USCIS District for at least three months prior to filing;
6) Ability to read, write, and speak English;
7) Knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government;
8) Good moral character;
9) Attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and,
10) Favorable disposition towards the U.S.
Current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces may have special laws that apply to them which may eliminate certain requirements for naturalization.
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The following are sample questions taken from the USCIS that may be asked during the naturalization exam:
Typical Questions
1. What are the colors of our flag?
2. What do the stars on the flag mean?
3. How many stars are there on our flag?
4. What color are the stars on our flag?
5. How many stripes are there on our flag?
6. What do the stripes on the flag represent?
7. What colors are the stripes on the flag?
8. How many states are there in the Union (the United States)?
9. What do we celebrate on the 4th of July?
10. Independence Day celebrates independence from whom?
11. What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War?
12. Who was the first president of the United States?
13. Who is the President of the United States today?
14. Who is the Vice President of the United States today?
15. Who elects the President of the United States?
16. Who becomes President if the President dies?
17. What is the Constitution?
18. What do we call changes to the Constitution?
19. How many changes, or amendments, are there to the Constitution?
20. What are the three branches of our government?
21. What is the legislative branch of our Government?
22. What makes up Congress?
23. Who makes the Federal laws in the United States?
24. Who elects Congress?
25. How many Senators are there in Congress?
26. For how long do we elect each Senator?
27. Name two Senators from your state.
28. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
29. For how long do we elect each member of the House of Representatives?
30. Who is the head of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government?
31. For how long is the President elected?
32. What is the highest part of the Judiciary Branch of our Government?
33. What are the duties of the Supreme Court?
34. What is the supreme law of the United States?
35. What is the Bill of Rights?
36. What is the capital of the state you live in?
37. Who is the current Governor of the state you live in?
38. Who becomes President if both the President and Vice President die?
39. Who is Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
40. What were the original 13 states?
41. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death."?
42. Name some countries that were our enemies during World War II.
43. What was the 49th state added to our Union (the United States)?
44. How many full terms can a President serve?
45. Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.?
46. What are some of the requirements to be eligible to become President?
47. Why are there 100 Senators in the United States Senate?
48. Who nominates judges for the Supreme Court?
49. How many Supreme Court Justices are there?
50. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?
51. What is the executive of a state government called?
52. What is the head executive of a city government called?
53. What holiday was celebrated for the first time by American colonists?
54. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
55. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
56. What are some of the basic beliefs of the Declaration of Independence?
57. What is the national anthem of the United States?
58. Who wrote The Star-Spangled Banner?
59. What is the minimum voting age in the United States?
60. Who signs bills into law?
61. What is the highest court in the United States?
62. Who was President during the Civil War?
63. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
64. What special group advises the President?
65. Which President is called the "Father of our Country"?
66. Which President was the first Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Army and Navy?
67. What was the 50th state to be added to our Union (the United States)?
68. Who helped the Pilgrims in America?
69. What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America?
70. What were the 13 original states of the United States called before they were states?
71. What group has the power to declare war?
72. Name the amendments that guarantee or address voting rights.
73. In what year was the Constitution written?
74. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?
75. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?
76. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?
77. Who meets in the U.S. Capitol building?
78. What is the name of the President.s official home?
79. Where is the White House located?
80. Name one right or freedom guaranteed by the first amendment.
81. Who is Commander-in-Chief of the United States military?
82. In what month do we vote for the President?
83. In what month is the new President inaugurated?
84. How many times may a Senator or Congressman be re-elected?
85. What are the two major political parties in the United States today?
86. What is the executive branch of our government?
87. Where does freedom of speech come from?
88. What U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services form is used to apply for naturalized citizenship?
89. What kind of government does the United States have?
90. Name one of the purposes of the United Nations.
91. Name one benefit of being a citizen of the United States.
92. Can the Constitution be changed?
93. What is the most important right granted to United States citizens?
94. What is the White House?
95. What is the United States Capitol?
96. How many branches are there in the United States government?
Answer Sheet
1. Red, white, and blue
2. One for each state
3. There are 50 stars on our flag.
4. The stars on our flag are white.
5. There are 13 stripes on our flag.
6. The first 13 states
7. The stripes on the flag are red and white.
8. 50 states
9. Independence Day
10. Independence from Great Britain
11. We fought Great Britain in the Revolutionary War.
12. George Washington
13. George W. Bush
14. Dick Cheney
15. The Electoral College
16. The Vice President
17. The supreme law of the land
18. Amendments
19. Twenty-seven amendments
20. Executive, Judicial, and Legislative
21. Congress
22. The Senate and the House of Representatives
23. Congress
24. The citizens of the United States
25. There are 100 Senators in Congress, 2 from each state.
26. 6 years
27. The answer to this question depends on where you live.
28. There are 435 voting members in the House of Representatives.
29. For 2 years
30. The President
31. The President is elected for 4 years.
32. The Supreme Court
33. To interpret and explain the laws
34. The Constitution
35. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution
36. The answer to this question depends on the state where you reside.
37. The answer to this question depends on where you live.
38. The Speaker of the House
39. John G. Roberts, Jr.
40. Virginia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Georgia
41. Patrick Henry
42. Germany, Italy, and Japan
43. Alaska
44. Two full terms
45. A civil rights leader
46. A candidate for President must be a native-born, not naturalized, citizen, be at least 35 years old, and have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.
47. Each state elects 2 Senators.
48. The President nominates judges for the Supreme Court.
49. There are 9 Supreme Court Justices.
50. To gain religious freedom
51. The Governor
52. The Mayor
53. Thanksgiving
54. Thomas Jefferson
55. July 4, 1776
56. That all men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
57. The Star-Spangled Banner
58. Francis Scott Key
59. 18 is the minimum voting age.
60. The President
61. The Supreme Court
62. Abraham Lincoln
63. The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves.
64. The Cabinet advises the President.
65. George Washington
66. George Washington
67. Hawaii
68. The American Indians/Native Americans
69. The Mayflower
70. Colonies
71. Congress has the power to declare war.
72. The 15th, 19th, 24th and 26th amendments
73. The Constitution was written in 1787.
74. The Bill of Rights
75. All people living in the United States
76. The Preamble
77. Congress
78. The White House
79. Washington, DC
80. The rights of freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, of assembly, and to petition the Government
81. The President
82. November
83. January
84. There is no limit.
85. The Democratic and Republican parties
86. The President, the Cabinet, and departments under the cabinet members
87. The Bill of Rights
88. Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization)
89. A Republic
90. For countries to discuss and try to resolve world problems or to provide economic aid to many countries
91. To obtain Federal government jobs, to travel with a U.S. passport, or to petition for close relatives to come to the United States to live
92. Yes, the Constitution can be changed.
93. The right to vote
94. The President's official home
95. The place where Congress meets
96. There are 3 branches
To be eligible for naturalization, you must be able to read, write, and speak basic English. You must also have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government (also known as .civics.). Certain applicants, because of age or disability, have different English and civics requirements.
Exemptions For Testing Based on Age
1) If you are over 50 years old and have lived in the United States as a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 20 years
a) You do not have to take the English test.
b) You do have to take the civics test in the language of your choice.
2) If you are over 55 years old and have lived in the United States as a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 15 years
a) You do not have to take the English test.
b) You do have to take the civics test in the language of your choice.
3) If you are over 65 years old and have lived in the United States as a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 20 years
a) You do not have to take the English test
b) You do have to take a simpler version of the civics test in the language of your choice.
You must meet these requirements for age and time as a Permanent Resident at the time you file your application to qualify for an exemption. To qualify for one of these exceptions, your time as a Permanent Resident does not have to be continuous. You are eligible for the exemption as long as your total time residing in the United States (as a Permanent Resident) is at least 15 or 20 years. You may not count time when you were not a Permanent Resident.
Exemptions For Testing Based on Disability
If you have a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment so severe that it prevents you from acquiring or demonstrating the required knowledge of English and civics, you may be eligible for an exception to these requirements. To request an exception, you must file a Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions (Form N-648). If you believe you qualify, a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or licensed clinical psychologist will need to complete and sign the certification.
If you qualify for a waiver of the English proficiency requirement, you must be prepared to bring an interpreter.
To apply for a disability exception, your disability:
1) Must be at least 1 year old (or be expected to last 1 year); and
2) Must not have been caused by illegal drug use.
If you qualify for a medical exception from the English and civics requirement, you must still be able to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. If you cannot communicate an understanding of the meaning of the Oath because of a physical or mental disability, USCIS may excuse you from this requirement.
Disability Accommodations In order for USCIS to have enough advance notice to respond to accommodation requests, applicants are encouraged to state their needs on the place provided in the Application for Naturalization. (Form N-400).
This page provides only a general overview of the types of immigration services we provide. Click on the individual categories for more information on each type of immigration benefit. Please contact us for a free consultation and let us know the nature of your case. For more information on new developments in immigration, please see the What's New & F.A.Q. section.
