Naturalization
The following is the entitlement statute for Naturalization:
Immediately preceding the date of filing for naturalization the applicant has resided continuously, after being lawfully admitted for permanent residence within the United States for at least five years and during the five years immediately preceding the date of filing his or her application has been physically present therein for periods totaling at least half of that time, and who has resided within the State or within the district of the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the United States in which the applicant filed the application for at least three months,
- Has resided continuously within the United States from the date of application up to the time of admission to citizenship and
- During all the periods referred to in this subsection has been and still is a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States. Absences from the U.S. during the statutory period are presumptive and can be overcome. For absences of 6 months or less, there is no break in continuous residence. An absence of more than 6 months but less than a year raises a rebuttable presumption of abandonment of continuous residency for naturalization purposes. The burden is on the alien to show that the continuous residence requirement has been met.
The USCIS has issued a brief fact sheet that outlines general naturalization eligibility requirements and the list of documents often required during the naturalization interview. Please read the Naturalization Eligibility and Preparation flyer (pdf).
New Citizenship Test from October 1, 2008
USCIS will begin administering the redesigned (new) naturalization test on October 1, 2008. Use the chart below to determine if you will take the current or redesigned (new) test.
|
Date Form N-400 Filed* |
Date of Initial Exam |
Test to be Taken |
If Applicant Fails Initial Exam, Re-test to be Taken |
|
Before October 1, 2008 |
Before October 1, 2008 |
Current Test |
Current Test |
|
Before October 1, 2008 |
On or After October 1, 2008 up until October 1, 2009 |
Applicant's Choice of -Current Test or -Redesigned (New) Test |
The same version of the test as the one taken during the initial examination |
|
On or After October 1, 2008 |
On or After October 1, 2008 |
Redesigned (New) Test |
Redesigned (New) Test |
|
At Any Time (i.e. Before, On or After October 1, 2008) |
On or After October 1, 2009 |
Redesigned (New) Test |
Redesigned (New) Test |
Click here for the USCIS page for the new test.
Citizenship Interview Questions
Note : INS is said to have repeatedly used only material from these 100 questions to test applicants for naturalization. We make no representations in this regard. PLEASE USE THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK.
What are typical questions asked during the citizenship test, and what are the correct answers?
The following list was reported to be distributed at one INS office:
| What are the colors of our flag? Red, White, and Blue. |
|
How many stars are there in our flag? |
| What color are the stars on our flag? White. |
| What do the stars on the flag mean? One for each state in the Union. |
| How many stripes are there in the flag? 13 |
| What color are the stripes? Red and White. |
| What do the stripes on the flag mean? They represent the original 13 states. |
| How many states are there in the Union? 50 |
| What is the 4th of July? Independence Day. |
| What is the date of Independence Day? July 4th |
| Independence from whom? Great Britain |
| What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War? Great Britain |
| Who was the first President of the United States? George Washington |
| Who is the President of the United States today? Barack Obama |
| Who is the vice-president of the United States today? Joe Biden |
| Who elects the President of the United States? The electoral college |
| Who becomes President of the United States if the President should die? Vice - President |
| For how long do we elect the President? Four years |
| What is the Constitution? The supreme law of the land |
| Can the Constitution be changed? Yes |
| What do we call a change to the Constitution? An Amendment |
| How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution? 27 |
| How many branches are there in our government? 3 |
| What are the three branches of our government? Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary |
| What is the legislative branch of our government? Congress |
| Who makes the laws in the United States? Congress |
| What is the Congress? The Senate and the House of Representatives |
| What are the duties of Congress? To make laws |
| Who elects the Congress? The people |
| How many senators are there in Congress? 100 |
| Can you name the two senators from your state? (insert local information) |
| For how long do we elect each senator? 6 years |
| How many representatives are there in Congress? 435 |
| For how long do we elect the representatives? 2 years |
| What is the executive branch of our government? The President, vice president, cabinet, and departments under the cabinet members |
| What is the judiciary branch of our government? The Supreme Court |
| What are the duties of the Supreme Court? To interpret laws |
| What is the supreme court law of the United States? The Constitution |
| What is the Bill of Rights? The first 10 amendments of the Constitution |
| What is the capital of your state? (insert local information) |
| Who is the current governor of your state? (insert local information) |
| Who becomes President of the United States if the President and the vice-president should die? Speaker of the House of Representative |
| Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? John G. Roberts, Jr |
| Can you name thirteen original states? Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Maryland. |
| Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death."? Patrick Henry |
| Which countries were our enemies during World War II? Germany, Italy, and Japan |
| What are the 49th and 50th states of the Union? Hawaii and Alaska |
| How many terms can the President serve? 2 |
| Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.? A civil rights leader |
| Who is the head of your local government? (insert local information) |
| According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become President. Name one of these requirements. Must be a natural born citizen of the United States; must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve; must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. |
| Why are there 100 Senators in the Senate? Two (2) from each state |
| Who selects the Supreme Court justice? Appointed by the President |
| How many Supreme Court justice are there? Nine (9) |
| Why did the Pilgrims come to America? For religious freedom |
| What is the head executive of a state government called? Governor |
| What is the head executive of a city government called? Mayor |
| What holiday was celebrated for the first time by the Americans colonists? Thanksgiving |
| Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson |
| When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? July 4, 1776 |
| What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence? That all men are created equal |
| What is the national anthem of the United States? The Star-Spangled Banner |
| Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner? Francis Scott Key |
| Where does freedom of speech come from? The Bill of Rights |
| What is a minimum voting age in the United States? Eighteen (18) |
| Who signs bills into law? The President |
| What is the highest court in the United States? The Supreme Court |
| Who was the President during the Civil War? Abraham Lincoln |
| What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? Freed many slaves |
| What special group advises the President? The Cabinet |
| Which President is called the "Father of our country"? George Washington |
| What Immigration and Naturalization Service form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen? Form N-400, Application to File Petition for Naturalization |
| Who helped the Pilgrims in America? The American-Indians (Native Americans) |
| What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America? The Mayflower |
| What are the 13 original states of the U.S. called? Colonies |
|
Name 3 rights of freedom guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
|
| Who has the power to declare the war? The Congress |
| What kind of government does the United States have? Republican |
| Which President freed the slaves? Abraham Lincoln |
| In what year was the Constitution written? 1787 |
| What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called? The Bill of Rights |
| Name one purpose of the United Nations? For countries to discuss and try to resolve world problems, to provide economic aid to many countries. |
| Where does Congress meet? In the Capitol in Washington, D.C. |
| Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? Everyone (citizens and non-citizens) living in U.S. |
| What is the introduction to the Constitution called? The Preamble |
| Name one benefit of being citizen of the United States. Vote for the candidate of your choice |
| What is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens? The right to vote |
| What is the United States Capital? The place where Congress meets |
| What is the White House? The President's official home |
| Where is the White House located? Washington, D.C. (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.) |
|
What is the name of the President's official home? |
|
Name the right guaranteed by the first amendment. |
|
Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? |
|
Which President was the first Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? |
|
In what month do we vote for the President? |
|
In what month is the new President inaugurated? |
|
How many times may a Senator be re-elected? |
|
How many times may a Congressman be re-elected? |
|
What are the 2 major political parties in the U.S. today? |
|
How many states are there in the United States today? |
Naturalization Questions
On November 30, 2006 - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Emilio Gonzalez said, "When you raise your hand and swear allegiance to the United States, you really ought to know what you are swearing allegiance to. You ought to internalize by that time, the very values that make this country what it is, the very reason why you are raising your right hand. ...Citizenship is not test taking."