Your FREE US Citizenship Flashcards 2026 – 150+ Cards

The Constitution.

Sets up the government, defines the government, and protects basic rights of Americans.

"We the People" — the idea of self-government.

A change (or addition) to the Constitution.

The first ten amendments to the Constitution.

Speech, religion, assembly, press, or petition the government.

Twenty-seven (27).

Announced the colonies' independence from Great Britain and declared they were free.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

You can practice any religion, or practice no religion at all.

A capitalist (market) economy.

Everyone must follow the law; leaders, the government, and even everyone else must obey it. No one is above the law.

Congress (legislative), the President (executive), or the courts (judicial).

Checks and balances (also called separation of powers).

The President.

Congress — the Senate and House of Representatives (the U.S. or national legislature).

The Senate and the House of Representatives.

One hundred (100) — two from each state.

Six (6) years.

Four hundred thirty-five (435).

Two (2) years.

Because of the state's population — more people means more Representatives.

Four (4) years.

November.

The Vice President.

The Speaker of the House.

The President.

The President.

The President.

Advises the President.

Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, and others.

Reviews laws, explains laws, resolves disputes, and decides if a law goes against the Constitution.

The Supreme Court.

Nine (9) — as set by Congress.

To print money, declare war, create an army, or make treaties.

Provide schooling and education, provide police and safety, give a driver's license, or approve zoning and land use.

The division of power between the national (federal) government and the state governments.

It has two chambers — the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The President.

This changes — check the current President's party at uscis.gov before your interview.

This changes — look up the current President at uscis.gov before your interview.

This changes — look up the current Vice President at uscis.gov before your interview.

This changes — look up the current Speaker at uscis.gov before your interview.

This changes — look up the current Chief Justice at uscis.gov before your interview.

This depends on your state and changes — look up your Senators at uscis.gov before your interview.

This depends on your district and changes — look up your Representative at uscis.gov before your interview.

This depends on your state and changes — look up your Governor before your interview.

This depends on where you live — know your state's capital before your interview.

Citizens of that state who are eligible to vote.

The people of each state vote for their Senators directly.

A congressional district.

The President rejects a bill passed by Congress and sends it back unsigned.

The power of the courts to decide whether a law violates the Constitution.

Congress (the legislative branch).

The Senate, after the President nominates them.

Congress (the legislative branch) — the "power of the purse."

The process Congress uses to charge and possibly remove the President or other officials for serious wrongdoing.

The system that formally chooses the President and Vice President after citizens vote.

A representative democracy (a constitutional federal republic).

The people rule themselves; government power comes from the citizens ("We the People").

1787, at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

Secretary (for example, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury).

The Attorney General, who leads the Department of Justice.

The President (the Secretary of State leads day-to-day foreign affairs).

To give up loyalty to other countries, defend the Constitution, obey the laws, serve the nation if needed, and be loyal to the United States.

Serve on a jury, or vote in a federal election.

Vote in a federal election, or run for federal office.

Freedom of expression, speech, assembly, religion, the right to petition the government, and the right to bear arms.

The United States and the flag.

Vote, join a political party, help with a campaign, join a civic group, contact officials, or run for office.

At age eighteen (18); men must register between ages 18 and 26.

Eighteen (18) and older — set by the Twenty-sixth Amendment.

April 15.

Freedom of the press — the media can report and criticize without government punishment.

The First Amendment right to gather peacefully and express a shared view.

The First Amendment right to ask the government to fix a problem or change a policy.

To write and pass the nation's laws.

To carry out and enforce the nation's laws.

The Constitution.

Because it can be amended (changed) over time while keeping its core structure.

The fixed, limited period an elected official serves before seeking reelection.

About 57 — it is the largest theme (Principles of Democracy, System of Government, Rights and Responsibilities).

Principles of American Democracy, System of Government, and Rights and Responsibilities.

The introduction that begins "We the People" and states the purposes of the government.

The numbered sections that set up and define the structure and powers of the government.

A government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them.

The principle that the government's authority comes from the people.

The White House, in Washington, D.C.

To preside over the Senate (and break tie votes).

A part of the executive branch (e.g., State, Treasury, Defense) whose head advises the President and serves in the Cabinet.

Congress — it collects taxes and decides how federal money is spent.

New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Because of high taxes (taxation without representation), the British army stayed in their houses, and they didn't have self-government.

Thomas Jefferson.

July 4, 1776.

George Washington — the first President and leader of the Continental Army.

George Washington.

Wrote the Constitution; the Founding Fathers met in Philadelphia.

Essays (by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, signed "Publius") written to support ratifying the Constitution.

He was a U.S. diplomat, the oldest member of the Constitutional Convention, the first Postmaster General, and a writer/inventor.

The Louisiana Purchase — it roughly doubled the size of the country.

The War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, or the Spanish-American War.

Abraham Lincoln.

Freed the enslaved people in the Confederate states during the Civil War.

She fought for women's rights and women's right to vote (suffrage) in the 1800s.

Slavery, economic reasons, or states' rights.

World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or the (Persian) Gulf War.

Woodrow Wilson.

Franklin Roosevelt.

Japan, Germany, and Italy (the Axis powers).

Communism.

The civil rights movement.

He fought for civil rights and worked for equality for all Americans; he is honored with a national holiday.

Terrorists attacked the United States.

Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, Apache, Iroquois, Pueblo, and many others (USCIS provides a full list).

Colonial Period and Independence; the 1800s; and Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information.

George Washington.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.

The Constitution was written at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

The Missouri River or the Mississippi River.

The Pacific Ocean.

The Atlantic Ocean.

Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, or Guam.

Maine, New York, Michigan, Montana, Washington, Minnesota, North Dakota, Alaska, and others.

California, Arizona, New Mexico, or Texas.

Washington, D.C.

On Liberty Island in New York Harbor (also accepted: New York or New Jersey).

Because there were 13 original colonies — the stripes represent them.

Because there is one star for each state — 50 states.

The Star-Spangled Banner.

July 4.

New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Presidents' Day, Columbus Day, Juneteenth, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Freedom (also: a symbol welcoming immigrants). Note: the 2008 test instead asks "Where is the Statue of Liberty?" — New York Harbor / Liberty Island.

50 stars = the 50 states; 13 stripes = the 13 original colonies.

There are 100 official civics questions; the officer asks up to 10, and you must answer 6 correctly.

Geography, Symbols, and Holidays.

A star is added for each new state; today it has 50 stars and 13 stripes.

"In God We Trust."

A national holiday honoring those who died in U.S. military service.

A national holiday honoring all who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

A national autumn holiday tied to early colonial history and giving thanks.

Read one of three sentences correctly aloud in English.

Write one of three sentences correctly in English when the officer dictates it.

The officer evaluates your ability to speak English during the eligibility interview on the N-400.

Reading, writing, and speaking.

Yes — USCIS provides official reading and writing vocabulary lists to study from.

Applicants 50 or older who have been a permanent resident for 20+ years may take the civics test in their native language.

Applicants 55 or older who have been a permanent resident for 15+ years may take the civics test in their native language.

Applicants 65 or older who have been a permanent resident for 20+ years study only 20 designated questions and may test in their native language.

Yes, if you qualify for a 50/20, 55/15, or 65/20 exemption you may take civics in your native language with an interpreter.

Applicants with a qualifying physical or developmental disability may be excused from the English and/or civics requirements with Form N-648.

Form N-400.

Be a lawful permanent resident (green-card holder) for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen).

Eighteen (18) years old at the time you file Form N-400.

Living in the U.S. as a permanent resident without long absences for the required period (5 or 3 years).

Being physically present in the U.S. for at least half of the required residence period.

A naturalization requirement showing you have behaved lawfully and met your responsibilities (such as paying taxes) during the statutory period.

USCIS collects your fingerprints, photo, and signature for a background check.

An officer reviews your N-400, tests your English, and gives the civics test.

2008 test: answer 6 of up to 10 correctly (officer stops at 6). 2025 test: answer 12 of 20 correctly.

Taking the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.

The pledge of loyalty to the United States that you take to officially become a citizen.

The Certificate of Naturalization, received at the oath ceremony.

A green-card holder authorized to live and work permanently in the U.S. — the status required before naturalizing.

It depends on your N-400 filing date: filed before Oct 20, 2025 = 2008 test (100 questions, 6 of 10 to pass); filed on/after = 2025 test (20 of a 128-bank, 12 of 20 to pass).

Current President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, your Governor, your Senators, and your Representative — verify current officeholders before your interview.

The 20 questions designated for applicants who qualify for the 65/20 special consideration.

USCIS provides the official 100 civics questions and answers, vocabulary lists, and current-officeholder updates at uscis.gov.