2025 Version of the Civics Test for Naturalization
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
During the naturalization interview, a USCIS officer will ask an applicant 20 questions from the list of 128 civics test questions. To pass the civics test, an applicant must answer at least 12 out of the 20 questions correctly.
A: Principles of American Democracy
1. What is the form of government of the United States?
Republic, Constitution-based federal republic, Representative democracy
2. What is the supreme law of the land?
U.S. Constitution
3. Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
Forms the government, Defines powers of government, Defines the parts of government, Protects the rights of the people
4. The U.S. Constitution starts with the words "We the People." What does "We the People" mean?
Popular sovereignty, Consent of the governed, People should govern themselves, Social contract
5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
Amendments, The amendment process
6. What does the Bill of Rights protect?
(The basic) rights of Americans, (The basic) rights of people living in the United States
7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
Twenty-seven (27)
8. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
It says America is free from British control, It says all people are created equal, It identifies inherent rights, It identifies individual freedoms
9. What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
Declaration of Independence
10. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Equality, Liberty, Social contract, Natural rights, Limited government, Self-government
11. The words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" are in what founding document?
Declaration of Independence
12. What is the economic system of the United States?
Capitalism, Free market economy
13. What is the rule of law?
Everyone must follow the law, Leaders must obey the law, Government must obey the law, No one is above the law
14. Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Federalist Papers, Anti-Federalist writings, Virginia Declaration of Rights, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, Mayflower Compact, Iroquois Great Law of Peace
15. There are three branches of government. Why?
Separation of powers, Checks and balances
16. Name the three branches of government.
Legislative, executive, and judicial, Congress, president, and the courts
17. The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
Executive branch
18. What part of the federal government writes laws?
Congress, Senate and House (of Representatives), U.S. or national legislature
19. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate and House (of Representatives)
20. Name one power of the U.S. Senate.
Writes laws, Declares war, Makes the federal budget
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B: System of Government (Continued)
21. Name one power of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Writes laws, Declares war, Makes the federal budget
22. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
Citizens of their state, People of their state
23. Who elects U.S. senators?
Citizens from their state
24. How many U.S. senators are there?
One hundred (100)
25. How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
Six (6) years
26. Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
Citizens in their district, People from their district
27. Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
Citizens from their district
28. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
Four hundred thirty-five (435)
29. How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
Two (2) years
30. Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
To more closely follow public opinion
31. How many senators does each state have?
Two (2)
32. Why does each state have two senators?
Equal representation (for small states), The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
33. Name your U.S. representative.
(Answers will vary based on where the applicant lives.)
34. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
(Visit USCIS.gov for the current Speaker's name.)
35. Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
The President
36. Who signs bills to become laws?
The President
37. Who vetoes bills?
The President
38. Who appoints federal judges?
The President
39. The executive branch has many parts. Name one.
President, Cabinet, Federal departments and agencies
40. What is the Cabinet?
A group of advisors to the President
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C: Rights and Responsibilities
41. What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Education, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Labor, Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Attorney General, Vice President
42. Why is the Electoral College important?
It decides who is elected president, It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection
43. What is one part of the judicial branch?
Federal courts, Supreme Court
44. What is the highest court in the United States?
Supreme Court
45. How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
Nine (9)
46. How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
Five (5)
47. How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
For life, Lifetime appointment, Until retirement
48. Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
To be independent (of politics), To limit outside (political) influence
49. To what political party does the current president belong?
(Visit USCIS.gov for the current President's party.)
50. What is the political party of the president now?
(Visit USCIS.gov for the current President's party.)
51. Who is the Governor of your state now?
(Answers will vary based on where the applicant lives.)
52. What is the capital of your state?
(Answers will vary based on where the applicant lives.)
53. What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?
Freedom of expression, speech, assembly, religion, petition, privacy, bear arms
54. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States, The flag
55. Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
Give up loyalty to other countries, Defend the U.S. Constitution, Obey the laws of the United States, Serve in the military (if needed), Serve the nation (if needed), Be loyal to the United States
56. How can people become United States citizens?
Naturalize, Derive citizenship, Be born in the United States
57. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
Vote, Run for office, Join a political party, Help with a campaign, Join a civic group, Join a community group, Tell an elected official your opinion, Contact your elected representatives, Support or oppose laws or policies, Write to a newspaper
58. What is one way Americans can serve their country?
Vote, Pay taxes, Obey the law, Serve in the military, Run for office, Work for local, state, or federal government
59. Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
Required by law, All people must pay their fair share, Funds the government, Pays for public services
60. It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
Required by law, Civic duty, Makes the draft fair, if needed
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D: Colonial Period and Independence
61. The colonists came to the New World for many reasons. Name one.
Freedom, Political liberty, Religious freedom, Economic opportunity, Escape persecution
62. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians, Native Americans
63. What group of people was taken and sold into slavery?
Africans, People from Africa
64. What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
American Revolution, War for Independence
65. Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
High taxes, British army in their houses, They did not have self-government
66. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
67. The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
Boston Tea Party, Boston Massacre, Stamp Act, Sugar Act, Townshend Acts, Intolerable (Coercive) Acts, Battles of Lexington and Concord, Battle of Bunker Hill, Publication of Common Sense, Declaration of Independence, Winter at Valley Forge, Battle of Saratoga, Battle of Yorktown, Treaty of Paris
68. There were 13 original states. Name five.
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
69. What founding document was written in 1787?
U.S. Constitution
70. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay
71. Why were the Federalist Papers important?
They helped people understand the U.S. Constitution, They supported passing the U.S. Constitution
72. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.
Founded the first free public libraries, First Postmaster General of the United States, Helped write the Declaration of Independence, Inventor, U.S. diplomat
73. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.
"Father of Our Country", First president of the United States, General of the Continental Army, President of the Constitutional Convention
74. Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
Writer of the Declaration of Independence, Third president of the United States, Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase), First Secretary of State, Founder of the University of Virginia
75. James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
"Father of the Constitution", Fourth president of the United States, President during the War of 1812, One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
76. Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.
First Secretary of the Treasury, One of the writers of the Federalist Papers, Helped establish the First Bank of the United States
77. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana Territory
78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
War of 1812, Mexican-American War, Civil War, Spanish-American War
79. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
The Civil War
80. The Civil War had many important events. Name one.
Battle of Fort Sumter, Emancipation Proclamation, Battle of Vicksburg, Battle of Gettysburg, Sherman's March, Surrender at Appomattox, Lincoln's assassination
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E: 1800s and Recent American History
81. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.
Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation), Saved (or preserved) the Union, Led the United States during the Civil War, 16th president of the United States
82. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Freed slaves in the Confederacy, Freed slaves in most Southern states
83. What did Susan B. Anthony do?
Fought for women's rights, Fought for civil rights
84. Name one leader of the women's rights movement in the 1800s.
Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Lucretia Mott, Lucy Stone
85. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, (Persian) Gulf War
86. Why did the United States enter World War I?
Because Germany attacked U.S. ships, To support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia), To oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria)
87. When did all women get the right to vote?
1920
88. What was the Great Depression?
Longest economic recession in modern history
89. When did the Great Depression start?
The stock market crash of 1929
90. Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?
Franklin Roosevelt
91. Why did the United States enter World War II?
(Bombing of) Pearl Harbor, Japan attacked the United States, To support the Allied Powers (England, France, and Russia), To oppose the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan)
92. Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.
General during World War II, President at the end of the Korean War, 34th president of the United States, Began the Interstate Highway System
93. Who was the United States' main rival during the Cold War?
Soviet Union (USSR)
94. During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States?
Communism, Nuclear war
95. Why did the United States enter the Korean War?
To stop communist expansion
96. Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?
To stop communist expansion
97. What did the civil rights movement do?
Fought to end racial discrimination
98. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.
Fought for civil rights, Worked for equality for all Americans
99. Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?
To force the Iraqi army from Kuwait
100. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States
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F: Recent American History and Geography
101. Name one U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001, attacks.
War in Afghanistan, War in Iraq
102. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, Chippewa, Choctaw, Pueblo, Apache, Iroquois, Creek, Blackfeet, Seminole, Cheyenne, Arawak, Shawnee, Mohegan, Huron, Oneida, Lakota, Crow, Teton, Hopi, Inuit
103. What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
104. Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York Harbor, Liberty Island
105. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
(Because there were) 13 original colonies
106. Why does the flag have 50 stars?
(Because there are) 50 states
107. What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
108. The Nation's first motto was "E Pluribus Unum." What does that mean?
Out of many, one, We all become one
109. What is Independence Day?
A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence from Britain, The country's birthday
110. Name three national U.S. holidays.
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
111. What is Memorial Day?
A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
112. What is Veterans Day?
A holiday to honor everyone who served in the U.S. military
113. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
Missouri River, Mississippi River
114. What ocean is on the west coast of the United States?
Pacific Ocean
115. What ocean is on the east coast of the United States?
Atlantic Ocean
116. Name one U.S. territory.
American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
117. Name one state that borders Canada.
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Alaska
118. Name one state that borders Mexico.
California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
119. What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
120. Why is Washington, D.C. the federal capital?
Created as the federal capital by the U.S. Constitution
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G: Integrated Civics
121. Name the mayor of Washington, D.C.
(Visit USCIS.gov for the current Mayor's name.)
122. Name one right only for United States citizens.
Vote in a federal election, Run for federal office
123. Name two rights of everyone living in the United States.
Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government, privacy, bear arms
124. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
Vote, run for office, join a political party, help with a campaign, join a civic group, join a community group, tell an elected official your opinion, contact your elected representatives, support or oppose laws or policies, write to a newspaper
125. What is one way Americans can serve their country?
Vote, pay taxes, obey the law, serve in the military, run for office, work for local, state, or federal government
126. Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
Required by law, all people must pay their fair share, funds the government, pays for public services
127. It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
Required by law, civic duty, makes the draft fair, if needed
128. The colonists came to the New World for many reasons. Name one.
Freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity, escape persecution
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