Reading vocabulary

Official USCIS list (rev. 08/08)

People

Civics

Places

Holidays

Question words

Verbs

Other (function words)

Other (content words)

Writing vocabulary

Official USCIS list (rev. 08/08)

People

Civics

Places

Months

Holidays

Verbs

Other (function words)

Other (content words)

Interview vocabulary

Supplemental words from Form N-400 and the interview. Not an official USCIS list.

Oath Listen

A serious promise, often made in front of an official.
Example: I promised under oath to tell the truth. Listen

Allegiance Listen

Loyalty to a country or ruler.
Example: New citizens take the Oath of Allegiance. Listen

Naturalization Listen

The legal process to become a U.S. citizen if you were not born a citizen.
Example: I am here for my naturalization interview. Listen

Citizen Listen

A person who is a full legal member of a country, with its rights and duties.
Example: My wife is a U.S. citizen. Listen

Permanent resident Listen

A person who is allowed to live and work in the U.S. permanently but is not a citizen.
Example: I became a permanent resident in 2015. Listen

Green Card Listen

The common name for the Permanent Resident Card. It shows that you are a permanent resident.
Example: Here is my Green Card. Listen

Residence Listen

The place where you live.
Example: My residence is in Texas. Listen

Continuous residence Listen

Living in the U.S. as a permanent resident without a long break. A trip of six months or more can break it.
Example: My longest trip was two weeks, so I kept my continuous residence. Listen

Physical presence Listen

The days you were actually inside the United States. Most applicants need at least half of the required time inside the U.S.
Example: I counted my days of physical presence before I applied. Listen

Marital status Listen

If you are single, married, divorced, separated, or widowed.
Example: My marital status is married. Listen

Spouse Listen

Your husband or your wife.
Example: My spouse works at a hospital. Listen

Divorced Listen

No longer married because a court officially ended the marriage.
Example: I am divorced. My first marriage ended in 2012. Listen

Widowed Listen

Your husband or wife has died and you did not marry again.
Example: I am widowed. My husband died three years ago. Listen

Employer Listen

The company or person you work for and who pays you.
Example: My employer is a construction company. Listen

Self-employed Listen

Working for yourself, for example in your own business, not for an employer.
Example: I am self-employed. I have a cleaning business. Listen

Unemployed Listen

Not having a job.
Example: I was unemployed for three months in 2021. Listen

Trip Listen

A time when you go to another place and then come back.
Example: I took a trip to Mexico last year. Listen

Absence Listen

A time when you are away. On the N-400, it means time outside the United States.
Example: My longest absence from the U.S. was three weeks. Listen

Removal (deportation) Listen

When the government makes a person leave the United States. 'Deport' is an older word for the same thing.
Example: I have never been in removal proceedings. Listen

Arrest Listen

When the police take a person and hold them because they think the person broke the law.
Example: I have never been arrested. Listen

Cited Listen

Given a ticket or official paper by an officer that says you broke a rule or law.
Example: I was cited for driving too fast in 2019. Listen

Detained Listen

Held by an officer and not free to leave, even for a short time.
Example: Have you ever been detained by an immigration officer? Listen

Convicted Listen

A court decided that a person is guilty of a crime, or the person said 'guilty' in court.
Example: I have never been convicted of a crime. Listen

Crime Listen

An action that is against the law and can be punished.
Example: Stealing is a crime. Listen

Offense Listen

Breaking a law or rule. It can be big or small.
Example: A traffic offense is breaking a driving rule. Listen

Probation Listen

A court lets a person stay out of jail but they must follow rules and meet with an officer for a period of time.
Example: Have you ever been on probation? Listen

Parole Listen

Two meanings: (1) early release from prison with rules to follow; (2) in immigration, permission to enter the U.S. for a time without a visa.
Example: Have you ever been on parole? Listen

Habitual drunkard Listen

A person who drinks too much alcohol very often, as a habit.
Example: No, I have never been a habitual drunkard. Listen

Polygamy Listen

Being married to more than one person at the same time.
Example: Polygamy is against the law in the United States. Listen

Prostitution Listen

Selling sex for money.
Example: The N-400 asks if you have ever been involved in prostitution. Listen

Persecute Listen

To hurt or treat people very badly because of their race, religion, nationality, group, or political opinion.
Example: I have never persecuted anyone. Listen

Selective Service Listen

The U.S. system that keeps a list of men who could be called to serve in the military. Most men in the U.S. must register between ages 18 and 25.
Example: I registered for Selective Service when I was 18. Listen

Register Listen

To put your name on an official list.
Example: I did not register to vote. Listen

Owe taxes Listen

To have tax money that you must pay to the government and have not paid yet.
Example: I do not owe any taxes. Listen

File taxes Listen

To send your tax return (a form about your income) to the government.
Example: I file my taxes every year. Listen

Claim to be a U.S. citizen Listen

To say or write that you are a U.S. citizen, for example on a form, when you are not.
Example: I have never claimed to be a U.S. citizen. Listen

Bear arms Listen

To carry weapons and fight as part of the military.
Example: Yes, if the law requires it, I am willing to bear arms. Listen

Noncombatant service Listen

Helping the military without fighting, for example as a cook or in a hospital.
Example: Noncombatant service means I help but I do not fight. Listen

Work of national importance Listen

Important work for the country, led by civilians (not military leaders), that the law may ask people to do.
Example: I am willing to perform work of national importance if the law requires it. Listen

Constitution Listen

The highest law of the United States. It sets up the government and protects people's rights.
Example: I support the Constitution. Listen

Support Listen

To agree with and help. 'Support the Constitution' means to agree with it and follow it.
Example: I support the form of government of the United States. Listen

Renounce Listen

To officially give up something, like loyalty to another country or a title.
Example: In the oath, I renounce allegiance to any foreign country. Listen

Title of nobility Listen

A special inherited title from another country, like prince, duke, count, or lord. New citizens must give it up.
Example: No, I do not have a title of nobility. Listen

Totalitarian party Listen

A political party that wants a government with total control over people's lives and no other parties.
Example: I have never been a member of a totalitarian party. Listen

Terrorist organization Listen

A group that uses violence or threats against people to reach political or other goals.
Example: I have never been part of a terrorist organization. Listen

Genocide Listen

Killing or harming people on purpose to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
Example: Genocide is one of the worst crimes in the world. Listen

Torture Listen

Causing very strong pain or suffering to a person on purpose, in the body or the mind.
Example: The N-400 asks if you have ever taken part in torture. Listen

Interpreter Listen

A person who changes spoken words from one language into another language.
Example: I do not need an interpreter today. Listen

Accommodation Listen

A change or extra help for a person with a disability, like a wheelchair, a sign language interpreter, or more time.
Example: I asked USCIS for an accommodation because I use a wheelchair. Listen