Pathway to U.S. Citizenship

Be at least 18 years old at the time 

 of filing the 

Be a lawfully admitted permanent 

 resident of the United States

At the time of filing the 

 application, have been a 

 permanent resident in the 

 United States for at least 

 5 years (or for at least

 3 years if you meet all 

 eligibility requirements 

 to file as a spouse of a 

 United States citizen)

 Have demonstrated 

 continuous permanent 

residence

 Have demonstrated 

physical presence

Have lived within the State or 

USCIS District for at least 

3 months prior to filing

Have demonstrated 

good moral character

Demonstrate an attachment 

to the principles and ideals of 

the U.S. Constitution 

Demonstrate an ability to 

read, write, speak, and 

understand basic English 

Demonstrate a basic knowledge 

of U.S. history, government, 

and civic principles 

Take an oath of 

allegiance to the 

United States

Receive a 

Certificate of Naturalization

For an adult immigrant to become a 

U.S. citizen, he or she must go through 

the process of naturalization. GENERAL 

requirements for naturalization call 

for the immigrant to:

H Download Form N-400: www.uscis.gov/n-400

H USCIS Forms Line: 1 800 870 3676

H USCIS Customer Service: 1 800 375 5283

H Learn more about specific eligibility requirements 

for naturalization: www.uscis.gov/citizenship

The Naturalization Test

Overview of Requirements and 

Available Resources

M-685 (rev. 03/12)

Prepare for the Naturalization Test

What should I expect at my naturalization 

elegibility interview? 

Once you have completed and submitted your Form N-400, 

Application for Naturalization, and you 

have had your fingerprints taken 

at a USCIS facility, you will receive 

an appointment notice for an 

interview. 

At your naturalization interview, 

you will be required to answer 

questions about your application 

and background. A USCIS Officer 

will test your ability to read, 

write, speak, and understand 

English (unless you are exempt 

from the English requirements). 

You will also be given a civics test 

in English to test your knowledge 

and understanding of U.S. history and government. 

You will be given two opportunities to take the English and civics 

tests and to answer all questions relating to your Form N-400, 

Application for Naturalization, in English. If you fail any of the tests 

during your initial interview, you will be retested on the portion 

of the test that you failed (English or civics) between 60 and 90 

days from the date of your initial interview. 

Applicants who are age 65 or older and have been a permanent 

resident for at least 20 years at the time of filing Form N-400, 

Application for Naturalization, are only required to study 20 of the 100 

civics test questions for the naturalization test. These questions are 

flagged with an asterisk (*) in this brochure. 

For information on exceptions or modifications to the English 

and civics requirements for naturalization, see “Exceptions and 

Accommodations” available at www.uscis.gov/citizenship. 

Study Materials for the Naturalization Test

What study materials are available and how can I 

find English language, civics, and/or 

citizenship classes?

The USCIS Office of Citizenship has developed a variety of study 

materials for the naturalization test. These materials include 

Civics Flash Cards, Vocabulary Flash Cards, Learn About the United 

States: Quick Civics Lessons, The USCIS Naturalization Interview and Test

video, and translated versions of the 100 civics (history and 

government) questions and answers. All materials are available on 

the Citizenship Resource Center at www.uscis.gov/citizenship.

•	 Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons with 

Audio CD

As you prepare for U.S. citizenship, this booklet will help you 

study for the civics and English portions of the naturalization 

test. Learn About the United States contains short lessons based on 

each of the 100 civics (history and government) questions 

and answers. 

•	 Civics Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test

Another option to help you study is the Civics Flash Cards. 

With historical photos and informative captions, the Civics 

Flash Cards cover each of the 100 civics (history and 

government) questions and answers. 

•	 Vocabulary Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test

These easy-to-use flash cards contain vocabulary words to 

help you study for the English reading and writing portions 

of the naturalization test. 

•	 The USCIS Naturalization Interview and Test (DVD)

This 16-minute video provides an overview of the 

naturalization process including eligibility requirements, 

the application process, the naturalization interview, and 

the naturalization test. The video includes two simulated 

interviews between applicants and USCIS Officers. 

Other Helpful USCIS Resources

USCIS offers a number of resources 

to help you find information on 

eligibility and testing requirements, 

the application process, and study 

materials. You can also learn more 

about citizenship rights and 

responsibilities and find a free 

information session in your area.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

The government agency that oversees lawful immigration to 

the United States. Visit this website for information related to 

immigration. 

www.uscis.gov

Citizenship Resource Center

Provides learners, teachers, and organizations with a one-stop 

resource for locating citizenship preparation materials.

www.uscis.gov/citizenship

A Guide to Naturalization

Offers a comprehensive overview of the naturalization 

application and interview process.

www.uscis.gov/natzguide

Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

Use this form to apply for U.S. citizenship.

www.uscis.gov/n-400

Naturalization Information Sessions

USCIS regularly holds free information sessions for the public 

on naturalization eligibility requirements, the naturalization 

process, and the naturalization test. Find a session in your area:

www.uscis.gov/citizenshipsessions
Components of the Naturalization 

Test

Civics Test

Oral 

Test

Reading

Test

Writing

Test

Integrated Civics American Government Reading Vocabulary Writing Vocabular

y

English Test

A: Principles of American Democracy• What is the supreme law of the land?• What does the Constitution do?• The idea of self-government is in the first  three words of the Constitution. What are  these words? • What is an amendment?• What do we call the first ten amendments  to the Constitution?• What is one right or freedom from  the First Amendment?* • How many amendments does  the Constitution have?• What did the Declaration of Independence do?• What are two rights in the Declaration  of Independence?• What is freedom of religion?• What is the economic system  in the United States?*• What is the “rule of law”?B: System of Government• Name one branch or part of the government.*• What stops one branch of government  from becoming too powerful?• Who is in charge of the executive branch?• Who makes federal laws?• What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*• How many U.S. Senators are there?• We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? • Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators  now?* • The House of Representatives has how many  voting members? • We elect a U.S. Representative for how  many years?• Name your U.S. Representative.• Who does a U.S. Senator represent?• Why do some states have more  Representatives than other states?• We elect a President for how many years?• In what month do we vote for President?*• What is the name of the President of the United  States now?*• What is the name of the Vice President of the  United States now?• If the President can no longer serve, who  becomes President?• If both the President and the Vice President can  no longer serve, who becomes President?• Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?• Who signs bills to become laws?• Who vetoes bills?• What does the President’s Cabinet do? • What are two Cabinet-level positions? • What does the judicial branch do? • What is the highest court in the United States?• How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

• Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?• Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the  federal government. What is one power of the 

 federal government?• Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the  states. What is one power of the states? • Who is the Governor of your state now?• What is the capital of your state?*• What are the two major political parties  in the United States?*• What is the political party of the President now?• What is the name of the Speaker of the House of  Representatives now?C: Rights and Responsibilities• There are four amendments to the Constitution  about who can vote. Describe one of them.• What is one responsibility that is only for  United States citizens?*• Name one right only for United States citizens.• What are two rights of everyone living in the  United States?• What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge  of Allegiance?• What is one promise you make when you become a  United States citizen?• How old do citizens have to be to vote for  President?*• What are two ways that Americans can participate  in their democracy?• When is the last day you can send in federal  income tax forms?*• When must all men register for the  Selective Service?

A: Colonial Period and Independence• What is one reason colonists came 

 to America?• Who lived in America before the  Europeans arrived?• What group of people was taken  to America and sold as slaves?• Why did the colonists fight the British?• Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?• When was the Declaration of Independence  adopted?• There were 13 original states. Name three.• What happened at the Constitutional  Convention? • When was the Constitution written?• The Federalist Papers supported the passage  of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the  writers.• What is one thing Benjamin Franklin  is famous for?• Who is the "Father of Our Country"?• Who was the first President?*B: 1800s• What territory did the United States buy from  France in 1803?• Name one war fought by the United States in  the 1800s. • Name the U.S. war between the North  and the South. • Name one problem that led to the Civil War.• What was one important thing that Abraham  Lincoln did?*• What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?• What did Susan B. Anthony do?C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information• Name one war fought by the United States in  the 1900s.*• Who was President during World War I?• Who was President during the Great  Depression and World War II? • Who did the United States fight  in World War II? • Before he was President, Eisenhower was a  general. What war was he in?• During the Cold War, what was the main  concern of the United States?• What movement tried to end racial  discrimination?• What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*• What major event happened on September 11,  2001, in the United States?• Name one American Indian tribe in the United  States.

A: Geography• Name one of the two longest rivers in the 

 United States.• What ocean is on the West Coast  of the United States?• What ocean is on the East Coast  of the United States?• Name one U.S. territory.• Name one state that borders Canada. • Name one state that borders Mexico.• What is the capital of the United States?*• Where is the Statue of Liberty?*B: Symbols• Why does the flag have 13 stripes? • Why does the flag have 50 stars?*• What is the name of the national anthem?C: Holidays• When do we celebrate Independence Day?*• Name two national U.S. holidays.

American Histor

y

If you are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident of the United States 

for 20 or more years, you may study onlythe questions that have been marked with an asterisk.

*

Speaking

PEOPLE• Abraham  Lincoln• George  Washingto

n

CIVICS• American flag• Bill of Rights• capital• citizen• city• Congress• country• Father of Our  Country• government• President• right• Senators• state/states• White HousePLACES• America• United State

s

• U.S.HOLIDAYS• Presidents’  Day• Memorial Da

y

• Flag Day• Independence Day• Labor Day• Columbus Day• Thanksgiving

QUESTION WORDS• How• What• When• Where• Who• WhyVERBS• can• come• do/does• elects• have/has• is/are/was/be• lives/lived• meet• name• pay• vote• wantOTHER (FUNCTION)• 

a

• for• here• in• of• on• the• to• weOTHER (CONTENT)• colors• dollar bill• first• largest• many• most• north• one• people• second• south

PEOPLE • Adams• Lincoln• WashingtonCIVICS• American  Indians• capital• citizens• Civil War• Congress• Father of  Our Country• flag• free• freedom of  speech• President• right• Senators• state/states• White HousePLACES• Alaska• California• Canada• Delaware• Mexico• New York  City• United States• Washington• Washington, D.C.MONTHS• February• May• June• July• September• October• November

HOLIDAYS• Presidents’  Day• Memorial Day• Flag Day• Independence  Day• Labor Day• Columbus Day• ThanksgivingVERBS• can• come• elect• have/has• is/was/be• lives/lived• meets• pa

y

• vote• wantOTHER (FUNCTION)• an

d

• during• for• here• in• of• on• the• to• we

OTHER (CONTENT)• blue• dollar bill• fifty/50• first• largest• most• north• one• one  hundred/ 100• people• red• second• south• taxes• white

An applicant will be asked up to 

10 questions from the list below. 

Applicants must answer correctly at least 

six of the 10 questions to pass 

the civics test.

Each writing test administered to an applicant contains no more than 3 sentences. Applicants must write 1 out of 3 sentences correctly in order to 

demonstrate an ability to write in English. To help applicants prepare, USCIS provides a writing 

vocabulary list containing all the words found 

in the English writing portion of the test. The content focuses on civics and history topics.

An applicant’s ability to speak English will be determined by the USCIS Officer from the applicant’s answers to questions normally asked during the eligibility interview on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

 Naturalization Test

Each reading test administered to an applicant 

contains no more than 3 sentences. Applicants must read 1 out of 3 sentences correctly to 

demonstrate an ability to read in English. To help 

applicants prepare, USCIS provides a reading 

vocabulary list containing all the words found in 

the English reading portion of the test. The content focuses on civics and history topics.