WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE
HOW THE CITIZENSHIP INTERVIEW WORKS
During your USCIS naturalization interview the officer will ask you up to 10 questions from the official list of 100 civics questions. You need to answer at least 6 correctly to pass. All questions are asked in English.
The interview also includes an English reading and writing test — the officer will ask you to read one sentence aloud and write one sentence. If you are over 50 and have been a permanent resident for 20+ years, or over 55 for 15+ years, you may be exempt from the English requirement.
💡 TIP: The officer may stop asking civics questions as soon as you answer 6 correctly. Focus on memorizing the most common questions first.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT (Questions 1–36)
Principles of American Democracy
01
What is the supreme law of the land?
ANSWERThe Constitution.
02
What does the Constitution do?
ANSWERSets up the government / defines the government / protects basic rights of Americans.
03
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
ANSWERWe the People.
04
What is an amendment?
ANSWERA change to the Constitution / an addition to the Constitution.
05
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
ANSWERThe Bill of Rights.
06
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
ANSWERSpeech / religion / assembly / press / petition the government.
07
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
ANSWERTwenty-seven (27).
08
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
ANSWERAnnounced our independence from Great Britain / declared our independence / said that the United States is free from Great Britain.
09
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
ANSWERLife / liberty / pursuit of happiness.
10
What is freedom of religion?
ANSWERYou can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
System of Government
11
What is the economic system in the United States?
ANSWERCapitalist economy / market economy.
12
What is the "rule of law"?
ANSWEREveryone must follow the law / leaders must obey the law / government must obey the law / no one is above the law.
13
Name one branch or part of the government.
ANSWERCongress / legislative / President / executive / the courts / judicial.
14
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
ANSWERChecks and balances / separation of powers.
15
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
ANSWERThe President.
16
Who makes federal laws?
ANSWERCongress / Senate and House of Representatives / U.S. legislature.
17
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
ANSWERThe Senate and House of Representatives.
18
How many U.S. Senators are there?
ANSWEROne hundred (100).
19
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
ANSWERSix (6).
20
Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?
ANSWERAnswers will vary by state. Look up your current senators at senate.gov.
21
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
ANSWERFour hundred thirty-five (435).
22
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
ANSWERTwo (2).
23
Name your U.S. Representative.
ANSWERAnswers will vary by district. Look up at house.gov.
24
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
ANSWERAll people of the state.
25
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
ANSWERBecause of the state's population / because they have more people / because some states have more people.
26
We elect a President for how many years?
ANSWERFour (4).
27
In what month do we vote for President?
ANSWERNovember.
28
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
ANSWERDonald Trump (as of 2025).
29
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
ANSWERJD Vance (as of 2025).
30
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
ANSWERThe Vice President.
31
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
ANSWERThe Speaker of the House.
32
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
ANSWERThe President.
33
Who signs bills to become laws?
ANSWERThe President.
34
Who vetoes bills?
ANSWERThe President.
35
What does the President's Cabinet do?
ANSWERAdvises the President.
36
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
ANSWERSecretary of Agriculture / Secretary of Commerce / Secretary of Defense / Secretary of State / Secretary of Treasury / Vice President.
AMERICAN HISTORY (Questions 37–70)
37
What is the highest court in the United States?
ANSWERThe Supreme Court.
38
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
ANSWERNine (9).
39
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
ANSWERJohn Roberts.
40
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
ANSWERTo print money / to declare war / to create an army / to make treaties.
41
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
ANSWERProvide schooling and education / provide protection (police) / provide safety (fire departments) / give a driver's license / approve zoning and land use.
42
Who is the Governor of your state now?
ANSWERAnswers vary by state. Look up your current governor.
43
What is the capital of your state?
ANSWERAnswers vary by state.
44
What are the two major political parties in the United States?
ANSWERDemocratic and Republican.
45
What is the political party of the President now?
ANSWERRepublican.
46
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
ANSWERMike Johnson (as of 2025).
47
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
ANSWERCitizens eighteen (18) and older can vote / you don't have to pay to vote / any citizen can vote / a male citizen of any race can vote.
48
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
ANSWERServe on a jury / vote in a federal election.
49
Name one right only for United States citizens.
ANSWERVote in a federal election / run for federal office.
50
What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
ANSWERFreedom of expression / freedom of speech / freedom of assembly / freedom to petition the government / freedom of religion / the right to bear arms.
51–70
Questions 51–70 cover the Civil War, World War I & II, the Cold War, and major American history events.
PRACTICE ALL 100Use LEGALIAI's Interview Prep module to practice all 100 questions with AI feedback in your language.
PRACTICE ALL 100 QUESTIONS WITH AI
LEGALIAI gives you AI feedback on every answer — in your language. Know exactly what to say before your interview.
START INTERVIEW PREP — $49INTEGRATED CIVICS (Questions 71–100)
71
What is the name of the national anthem?
ANSWERThe Star-Spangled Banner.
72
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
ANSWERThe United States / the flag.
73
What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
ANSWERGive up loyalty to other countries / defend the Constitution and laws of the United States / obey the laws of the United States / serve in the U.S. military if needed / serve the nation if needed / be loyal to the United States.
74
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
ANSWEREighteen (18) and older.
75
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
ANSWERVote / join a political party / help with a campaign / join a civic group / join a community group / give an elected official your opinion on an issue / call senators and representatives / publicly support or oppose an issue or policy / run for office / write to a newspaper.
76–100
Questions 76–100 cover U.S. geography, national holidays, and state capitals.
PRACTICE ALL 100Get AI-powered feedback on all 100 answers inside LEGALIAI.
PERSONAL QUESTIONS YOUR OFFICER WILL ASK
Beyond the civics test, your officer will ask you personal questions based on your N-400 application. Be prepared for these:
What is your full legal name?
TIPUse exactly the name on your green card. No nicknames.
What is your current address?
TIPMake sure it matches your N-400 exactly.
How long have you been a permanent resident?
TIPKnow the exact date on your green card.
Have you ever left the United States?
TIPList every trip including short ones. The officer may ask about specific trips.
Have you ever been arrested, cited, or detained?
TIPAlways be honest. Hiding past issues is worse than disclosing them.
Do you support the Constitution of the United States?
ANSWERYes.
Are you willing to take the Oath of Allegiance?
ANSWERYes.
TIPS TO PASS ON THE FIRST TRY
Study the most common questions first. Questions 1, 2, 5, 6, 13, 17, 18, 28, 29, and 44 appear most frequently in interviews.
Know your state-specific answers. Questions about your Governor, Senator, Representative, and state capital change based on where you live. Look these up before your interview.
Practice speaking out loud. The interview is spoken — not written. Practice saying your answers clearly, not just reading them.
⚠ Don't memorize word-for-word. The officer may accept slight variations. Focus on understanding the answer, not reciting it perfectly.
⚠ If you don't understand the question, ask them to repeat it. It's perfectly acceptable to say "Could you please repeat the question?"
READY TO PRACTICE WITH AI?
LEGALIAI's Interview Prep module gives you all 20 key questions with AI feedback in your language. Know exactly where you stand before your real interview.
START PREPARING — $49