Pathway to U.S.

Citizenship
For an adult immigrant to become a Be at least 18 years old at the time
of filing the
U.S. citizen, he or she must go through
the process of naturalization. GENERAL
requirements for naturalization call
for the immigrant to: Swear an oath of
allegiance to the Be a lawfully admitted permanent
United States resident of the United States

Demonstrate a basic knowledge

of U.S. history, government,
and civic principles
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
Demonstrate an ability to
to file as a spouse of a
read, write, speak, and
United States citizen) H
understand basic English

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To
Have demonstrated

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continuous permanent

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residence
Receive a er
Certificate of Naturalization
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Demonstrate an attachment
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to the principles and ideals of

the U.S. Constitution
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Have demonstrated
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physical presence
Have demonstrated
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good moral character

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Have lived within the State or

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USCIS District for at least

3 months prior to filing
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H F or Form N-400 and to learn more

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about specific eligibility requirements

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for naturalization, visit www.uscis.gov

or call 1 800 375 5283

Implementation Timeline Preparing for the Test About the Redesigned (New) Test
Which version of the test to take? What study materials are available and how Background
USCIS began administering a can I find English language, civics, and/or In the interest of creating a more standardized, fair, and
redesigned (new) naturalization citizenship classes? meaningful naturalization process, U.S. Citizenship and
test on October 1, 2008. The Immigration Services (USCIS) redesigned the naturalization
following guidelines will The USCIS Office of Citizenship has developed a variety of test. The redesigned test, with an emphasis on the fundamental
determine whether naturalization study materials for the redesigned (new) naturalization test. concepts of American democracy and the rights and
applicants will take the old test or These materials include Civics responsibilities of citizenship, will help encourage citizenship
the redesigned (new) test. Flash Cards, Vocabulary Flash Cards, applicants to learn and identify with the basic values we all share
Learn About the United States: Quick Civics as Americans.
An applicant who: Lessons, and translated versions of The major aim of the redesign process was to ensure that
• Files* the Application for the civics questions available at naturalization applicants have uniform, consistent testing
Naturalization, Form N-400, http://www.uscis.gov/newtest. experiences nationwide, and that the civics test can effectively
BEFORE October 1, 2008, For many applicants, adult education assess whether applicants have a meaningful understanding of
and is scheduled for his or her classes are an excellent place to learn English and prepare for U.S. government and history. Following a basic U.S. history and
naturalization interview ON or the naturalization test. Many local school districts, community civics curriculum, the redesigned test will serve as an important
AFTER October 1, 2008 up until colleges, libraries, and other community-based organizations instrument to encourage civic learning and patriotism among
October 1, 2009, can choose to offer English language and civics classes. These opportunities, prospective citizens.
take the old test or the redesigned (new) test. however, are not centralized in one place. To find an appropriate To accomplish these goals, USCIS initially piloted a new
• Files* the Application for Naturalization, Form N-400, ON or AFTER class, try these options: test—with an overhauled English reading and writing section,
October 1, 2008, will take the redesigned (new) test. • Visit http://www.welcometousa.gov. as well as new history and government questions—in ten
• Is scheduled for his or her naturalization interview ON
or AFTER October 1, 2009, regardless of when he or she
filed* the Application for Naturalization, Form N-400, will take the
• Look in the yellow pages of your telephone book under the
heading “Language Schools.”
sites across the country. The feedback from this pilot was
then used to finalize testing procedures, English reading and
writing prompts, and a list of 100 new history and government
The Redesigned (New)
redesigned (new) test.
NOTE: If an applicant fails the English and/or civics test during
• Contact your local public library and ask if they offer English
language or citizenship classes.
questions. To ensure the pilot accounted for a representative
sample of candidates with a variety of education levels, the test Naturalization Test
• Call your local community college or school district and ask was also piloted at adult education sites nationwide.
the first examination, the applicant will be required to take the
same version of the test, old or redesigned (new), when the
about adult education opportunities.
For more information on the redesigned (new) naturalization Office of Citizenship
applicant is retested, even if the retest is scheduled on or after • Call or visit a local community-based organization or place of test, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/newtest.
October 1, 2009. worship and ask if they offer English language or citizenship
classes.
For additional information about the old and redesigned (new)
test, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/citizenshiptest.
* The Application for Naturalization, Form N-400, is properly filed with USCIS on the date
it is received by the appropriate USCIS location with signature, correct fee, and the
form is completed according to instructions.

M-685 (rev. 04/09)

Components of the Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test
Redesigned (New)
Civics Test English Test
Naturalization Test

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 Oral Reading Writing
the civics test. Test Test Test

American Government Integrated Civics American History Speaking Reading Vocabulary Writing Vocabulary
A: Principles of American Democracy A: Geography A: Colonial Period and Independence An applicant’s ability to speak English will Each reading test administered to an applicant Each writing test administered to an applicant
• What is the supreme law of the land? • Name one of the two longest rivers in the • What is one reason colonists came continue to be determined by the USCIS contains no more than 3 sentences. Applicants contains no more than 3 sentences. Applicants must
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• What does the Constitution do? United States. to America? Officer from the applicant’s answers to must read 1 out of 3 sentences correctly to write 1 out of 3 sentences correctly in order to
• What ocean is on the West Coast • Who lived in America before the questions normally asked during the eligibility demonstrate an ability to read in English. To help demonstrate an ability to write in English. To help
• The idea of self-government is in the first
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of the United States? Europeans arrived? interview on the Application for Naturalization, applicants prepare, USCIS released a reading applicants prepare, USCIS released a writing
three words of the Constitution. What are
Form N-400. vocabulary list containing all the words found in vocabulary list containing all the words found
these words? • What ocean is on the East Coast • What group of people was taken
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the English reading portion of the redesigned in the English writing portion of the redesigned
• What is an amendment? of the United States? to America and sold as slaves?
(new) test. The content focuses on civics and (new) test. The content focuses on civics and
• What do we call the first ten amendments • Name one U.S. territory. • Why did the colonists fight the British? history topics.
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history topics.
to the Constitution? • Name one state that borders Canada. • Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
• What is one right or freedom from • Name one state that borders Mexico. • When was the Declaration of Independence
QUESTION WORDS PEOPLE HOLIDAYS OTHER
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the First Amendment?* adopted? PEOPLE
• What is the capital of the United States?*
• Abraham • How • Adams • Presidents’ (CONTENT)
• How many amendments does • Where is the Statue of Liberty?* • There were 13 original states. Name three.
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the Constitution have? Lincoln • What • Lincoln Day • blue
• What happened at the Constitutional
• George • When • Washington • Memorial Day • dollar bill
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• What did the Declaration of Independence do? B: Symbols Convention?
• What are two rights in the Declaration • When was the Constitution written? Washington • Where • Flag Day • fifty/50
• Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
of Independence? • Who CIVICS • Independence • first
ith
• Why does the flag have 50 stars?* • The Federalist Papers supported the passage
• What is freedom of religion? of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the CIVICS • Why • American Day • largest
• What is the name of the national anthem?
writers. Indians • Labor Day • most
• What is the economic system
Fr • American flag
in the United States?* • What is one thing Benjamin Franklin • Bill of Rights VERBS • capital • Columbus Day • north
ee
C: Holidays is famous for?
• What is the “rule of law”? W • capital • can • citizens • Thanksgiving • one
• When do we celebrate Independence Day?* • Who is the "Father of Our Country"? • citizen • come • Civil War • one
• Name two national U.S. holidays. • Who was the first President?*
B: System of Government • city • do/does • Congress VERBS hundred/
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• Name one branch or part of the government.* er • Congress • elects • Father of • can 100
• What stops one branch of government B: 1800s • country • have/has Our Country • come • people
from becoming too powerful? • What territory did the United States buy from • Father of Our • is/are/was/be • flag • elect • red
• Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
an
• Who is in charge of the executive branch? France in 1803? d • lives/lived • free • have/has • second
• Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the Country
• Who makes federal laws? • Name one war fought by the United States in • meet • freedom of • is/was/be • south
federal government. What is one power of the • government
• What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?* the 1800s.
federal government? • name speech • lives/lived • taxes
To
• President
• How many U.S. Senators are there? • Name the U.S. war between the North
• Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the • right • pay • President • meets • white
and the South.
• We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? states. What is one power of the states? • vote • right
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• Name one problem that led to the Civil War. • Senators • pay
• Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators • Who is the Governor of your state now? • state/states • want • Senators • vote
now?* • What was one important thing that Abraham
• What is the capital of your state?* • White House • state/states • want
Lincoln did?*
• The House of Representatives has how many • What are the two major political parties OTHER (FUNCTION) • White House
voting members? • What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
in the United States?* •a OTHER
• What did Susan B. Anthony do? PLACES
• We elect a U.S. Representative for how • What is the political party of the President now?
• America • for PLACES (FUNCTION)
many years? • What is the name of the Speaker of the House of
C: Recent American History and Other • United States • here • Alaska • and
• Name your U.S. Representative. Representatives now?
Important Historical Information • U.S. • in • California • during
• Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
• Name one war fought by the United States in • of • Canada • for
• Why do some states have more C: Rights and Responsibilities
Representatives than other states? the 1900s.* HOLIDAYS • on • Delaware • here
• There are four amendments to the Constitution
• We elect a President for how many years? • Who was President during World War I? • Presidents’ • the • Mexico • in
about who can vote. Describe one of them.
• In what month do we vote for President?* • Who was President during the Great Day • to • New York • of
• What is one responsibility that is only for
Depression and World War II? • Memorial Day • we City • on
• What is the name of the President of the United United States citizens?*
States now?* • Who did the United States fight • Flag Day • United States • the
• Name one right only for United States citizens.
in World War II? OTHER (CONTENT) • Washington • to
• What is the name of the Vice President of the • What are two rights of everyone living in the • Independence
United States now? • Before he was President, Eisenhower was a • colors • Washington, • we
United States? Day
general. What war was he in?
• If the President can no longer serve, who • What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge • Labor Day • dollar bill D.C.
becomes President? • During the Cold War, what was the main
of Allegiance? • Columbus Day • first
concern of the United States?
• If both the President and the Vice President can • What is one promise you make when you become a • Thanksgiving • largest MONTHS
no longer serve, who becomes President? • What movement tried to end racial
United States citizen? • many • February
discrimination?
• Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? • How old do citizens have to be to vote for • most • May
• What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
• Who signs bills to become laws? President?* • north • June
• What major event happened on September 11, *If you are 65 or older and have been a
• Who vetoes bills? • What are two ways that Americans can participate • one • July
2001, in the United States?
• What does the President’s Cabinet do? in their democracy? legal permanent resident of the United
• Name one American Indian tribe in the United • people • September
• What are two Cabinet-level positions? • When is the last day you can send in federal
States. States for 20 or more years, you may • second • October
• What does the judicial branch do? income tax forms?*
• When must all men register for the study just the questions that have been • south • November
• What is the highest court in the United States?
Selective Service? marked with an asterisk.
• How many justices are on the Supreme Court?