Civic guide
Civic values & responsibilities
"We are a nation bound not by race or religion, but by the shared values of freedom, liberty, and equality."
What unites American citizens isn't where they or their parents were born. It's a shared commitment to the Constitution, the law, and the rights of your fellow citizens.
This guide is for everyone — whether you were born here or took the Oath of Allegiance last week. It explains the promises citizens make, the ideas the country was founded on, and the everyday habits that make a community work.
The Oath of Allegiance, in plain English
Read the full oath text
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
Give your loyalty to the United States
You promise that your political loyalty belongs to the United States — not to any other government or ruler.
Support and defend the Constitution and laws
You agree to follow U.S. laws and to uphold the Constitution, the country's highest law.
Bear true faith and allegiance
You promise to be a sincere and faithful citizen, not one in name only.
Serve the country when the law requires it
This can mean military service, non-combat service, or civilian work of national importance — only when required by law.
Take the oath freely and honestly
You make this promise by your own choice, meaning every word.
The ideas America was founded on
Equality and natural rights
The Declaration of Independence (1776) says that "all men are created equal" with rights to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Americans have worked for generations to apply that promise to everyone.
Government by the people
The Constitution begins "We the People." That means self-government: the government gets its power from the consent of the people, who choose their leaders in elections.
The rule of law
Everyone must follow the law. Leaders and the government must obey the law too. No one is above the law.
Separation of powers and checks and balances
The government has three branches: Congress (legislative) makes laws, the President (executive) enforces them, and the courts (judicial) decide cases about them. Each branch can limit the others, so no one part becomes too powerful.
Federalism
Power is shared between the national government and the states. Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people (10th Amendment). That's why things like schools, police, driver's licenses, and zoning are handled by states and local governments, and rules can differ from place to place.
Individual freedoms
The Bill of Rights protects freedom of religion, speech, the press, peaceful assembly, and the right to ask the government to change things ("petition"). These freedoms protect everyone living in the United States, not only citizens.
Rights and responsibilities
Your rights
- Freedom to express yourself.
- Freedom to worship as you wish.
- Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury.
- Right to vote in elections for public officials.
- Right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship.
- Right to run for elected office.
- Freedom to pursue "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Your responsibilities
- Support and defend the Constitution.
- Stay informed of the issues affecting your community.
- Participate in the democratic process.
- Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.
- Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.
- Participate in your local community.
- Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on time, to federal, state, and local authorities.
- Serve on a jury when called upon.
- Defend the country if the need should arise.
Everyday civic habits
Know and follow the law where you live
Federal, state, and local governments each make laws, and not knowing a rule is not an excuse for breaking it. Local rules can be different from what you're used to — even from one U.S. state or city to the next.
- Learn your state's driving rules from your state's motor vehicle agency, including seat belt and child car seat rules.
- Check your city or county website for local rules on things like housing, trash and recycling, noise, pets, and permits.
- If you get a legal notice or ticket, respond by the deadline. Free legal aid may be available in your area.
Pay taxes honestly and on time
Taxes pay for schools, roads, emergency services, and much more. Filing honestly and on time is one of the responsibilities USCIS lists for every citizen.
- File your federal tax return each year if you're required to, plus any state or local returns.
- Use the IRS's free filing options or free in-person tax help if your income qualifies.
- Report all your income, including cash and side work.
Stay informed and vote
Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. State and local elections — for offices such as school boards and city councils — choose leaders who make decisions about your schools, roads, and local services.
- Register to vote and check your registration before each election.
- Learn what's on your ballot from your state or local election office.
- Get news from several reliable sources, and check claims before sharing them.
Answer the call to jury service
The right to a fair trial by jury depends on citizens being willing to serve. Only citizens can serve on federal juries.
- Respond to any jury summons by the deadline on the letter.
- If the date doesn't work, ask the court for a new date — don't ignore it.
Take part in your local community
Communities are stronger when neighbors know and help each other. Volunteering is also a good way to meet people, practice English, and learn how things work locally.
- Introduce yourself to your neighbors.
- Volunteer with a school, library, food bank, place of worship, or national service program.
- Attend a public meeting of your city council or school board. Many are open to the public — check your local government's website for dates.
Respect others — and disagree peacefully
USCIS lists "respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others" as a responsibility of every citizen. In a free country, people will disagree. What matters is how.
- Debate ideas, not people. Listen before you answer.
- Treat people of every background, faith, and opinion with the same courtesy you expect.
- Never threaten, harass, or threaten violence — online or in person. Threats and violence are crimes.
Keep learning about the country — and keep building English
Learning U.S. history and how government works makes it easier to take part. Strong English opens doors at work, at school, and in your community.
- Read the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights — they're short and free online.
- Use the USCIS civics study materials, even after you're a citizen — they're a good refresher for the whole family.
- Find free adult English classes through your local adult education program or library.
Serve the country when the law requires it
The Oath includes serving when required by law. Many men living in the U.S. are required to register with Selective Service, and some choose to serve in the military or civilian public service.
- Read the Selective Service guide to learn whether registration is something to look into.
- Check official sources directly for your own situation.
Keeping your heritage while you belong
The nation's first motto was "E Pluribus Unum" — "Out of many, one." Americans have roots in every part of the world, and they share one civic identity built on the Constitution.
The First Amendment protects freedom of religion and freedom of speech for everyone living in the United States. Within the law, you are free to practice your faith and keep your family's traditions, food, and holidays — while respecting the same freedoms for others. Many families also keep speaking their home language while building English.
Many families find that sharing their traditions with neighbors, and learning theirs, is one of the best parts of American life.
If I want something in America to change, does that mean I shouldn't be a citizen?
No. The Constitution begins with the goal "to form a more perfect Union," and it has 27 amendments — changes made through the process the Constitution itself sets out. Citizens — born here and naturalized alike — have always worked to improve the country.
What citizenship asks is how change happens: peacefully and lawfully, through voting, contacting your representatives, petitioning, speaking freely, and running for office — with loyalty to the Constitution and respect for your fellow citizens.
Becoming a citizen is a choice to join that shared effort, not to stand outside it.
Respect for everyone who calls this nation home
Every person in the United States — no matter their race, religion, national origin, or how they became American — deserves to be treated with dignity. Federal civil rights laws protect people from hate crimes and from unlawful discrimination in places like housing, work, school, and voting.
You can help by speaking up safely when someone is mistreated, refusing to spread rumors or stereotypes, and getting to know people who are different from you.
There is no room for hatred toward anyone who calls this nation home.
If you see or experience hate or discrimination
- In an emergency, call 911 or your local police.
- If you were the victim of a hate crime or saw one, report it to your state or local police first.
- Then quickly report it to the FBI online at tips.fbi.gov or by phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
- Not every hate incident is a crime. You can report any incident — and other civil rights violations, such as discrimination in housing, school, or public places — to the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
- Report workplace discrimination to the EEOC. There are deadlines: usually 180 days, or 300 days in some places, from when it happened.
Practice scenarios
Scenario 1 · Respectful disagreement
At a public school board meeting, a neighbor speaks strongly against a policy you support. When you start to answer, they raise their voice.
Scenario 2 · Respectful disagreement
A relative shares a post about voting rules that you believe is false.
Scenario 3 · Jury summons
You receive a federal jury summons for a week when you already have a scheduled medical procedure.
Scenario 4 · Jury summons
A caller says they are a court officer. They say you missed jury duty, a warrant is out for your arrest, and you must pay a fine today with gift cards.
Scenario 5 · Neighborhood dispute
Your neighbor plays loud music late at night most weekends, and it keeps your children awake.
Scenario 6 · Neighborhood dispute
A large branch from your neighbor's tree falls during a storm and damages your fence.