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What Are the Questions & Answers for the U.S. Citizenship Test?2026-11-02T12:32:44-05:00
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U.S. Citizenship Test Questions and Answers

Tell us a few things about yourself and we’ll show you the exact questions that apply to your case, with the answers for your state.

When did you file Form N‑400? In the “Received Date” box of your Form I‑797C receipt notice. Not filed yet? Choose “On or after”.

Were you 65 or older when you filed?
Practice out loud

Your answers also update the list of questions below.

Section 1: American Government

72 questions

A: Principles of American Government

1. What is the form of government of the United States?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • Republic
  • Constitution-based federal republic
  • Representative democracy
2. What is the supreme law of the land?*
Answer: (U.S.) Constitution
3. Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • Forms the government
  • Defines powers of government
  • Defines the parts of government
  • Protects the rights of the people
4. The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 5 options)

  • Self-government
  • Popular sovereignty
  • Consent of the governed
  • People should govern themselves
  • (Example of) social contract
5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • Amendments
  • The amendment process
6. What does the Bill of Rights protect?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • (The basic) rights of Americans
  • (The basic) rights of people living in the United States
7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?*
Answer: Twenty-seven (27)
8. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • It says America is free from British control.
  • It says all people are created equal.
  • It identifies inherent rights.
  • It identifies individual freedoms.
9. What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
Answer: Declaration of Independence
10. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Answers: (Choose any 2 of the following 6 options)

  • Equality
  • Liberty
  • Social contract
  • Natural rights
  • Limited government
  • Self-government
11. The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
Answer: Declaration of Independence
12. What is the economic system of the United States?*

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • Capitalism
  • Free market economy
13. What is the rule of law?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • Everyone must follow the law.
  • Leaders must obey the law.
  • Government must obey the law.
  • No one is above the law.
14. Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 8 options)

  • Declaration of Independence
  • Articles of Confederation
  • Federalist Papers
  • Anti-Federalist Papers
  • Virginia Declaration of Rights
  • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
  • Mayflower Compact
  • Iroquois Great Law of Peace
15. There are three branches of government. Why?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • So one part does not become too powerful
  • Checks and balances
  • Separation of powers

B: System of Government

16. Name the three branches of government.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • Legislative, executive, and judicial
  • Congress, president, and the courts
17. The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
Answer: Executive branch
18. What part of the federal government writes laws?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • (U.S.) Congress
  • (U.S. or national) legislature
  • Legislative branch
19. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Answer: Senate and House (of Representatives)
20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress.*

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • Writes laws
  • Declares war
  • Makes the federal budget
21. How many U.S. senators are there?
Answer: One hundred (100)
22. How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
Answer: Six (6) years
23. Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now?
Answer: Choose your state above.
24. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
Answer: Four hundred thirty-five (435)
25. How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
Answer: Two (2) years
26. Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
Answer: To more closely follow public opinion
27. How many senators does each state have?
Answer: Two (2)
28. Why does each state have two senators?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • Equal representation (for small states)
  • The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
29. Name your U.S. representative.
Answer: Choose your state above.
30. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?*
Answer: Choose your state above.
31. Who does a U.S. senator represent?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • Citizens of their state
  • People of their state
32. Who elects U.S. senators?
Answer: Citizens from their state
33. Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • Citizens in their (congressional) district
  • Citizens in their district
  • People from their (congressional) district
  • People in their district
34. Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
Answer: Citizens from their (congressional) district
35. Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • (Because of) the state’s population
  • (Because) they have more people
  • (Because) some states have more people
36. The President of the United States is elected for how many years?*
Answer: Four (4) years
37. The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • (Because of) the 22nd Amendment
  • To keep the president from becoming too powerful
38. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*
Answer: Choose your state above.
39. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?*
Answer: Choose your state above.
40. If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
Answer: The Vice President (of the United States)
41. Name one power of the president.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 6 options)

  • Signs bills into law
  • Vetoes bills
  • Enforces laws
  • Commander in Chief (of the military)
  • Chief diplomat
  • Appoints federal judges
42. Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
Answer: The President (of the United States)
43. Who signs bills to become laws?
Answer: The President (of the United States)
44. Who vetoes bills?*
Answer: The President (of the United States)
45. Who appoints federal judges?
Answer: The President (of the United States)
46. The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • President (of the United States)
  • Cabinet
  • Federal departments and agencies
47. What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Answer: Advises the President (of the United States)
48. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Answers: (Choose any 2 of the following 22 options)

  • Attorney General
  • Secretary of Agriculture
  • Secretary of Commerce
  • Secretary of Education
  • Secretary of Energy
  • Secretary of Health and Human Services
  • Secretary of Homeland Security
  • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
  • Secretary of the Interior
  • Secretary of Labor
  • Secretary of State
  • Secretary of Transportation
  • Secretary of the Treasury
  • Secretary of Veterans Affairs
  • Secretary of War (Defense)
  • Vice-President
  • Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
  • Administrator of the Small Business Administration
  • Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
  • Director of the Office of Management and Budget
  • Director of National Intelligence
  • United States Trade Representative
49. Why is the Electoral College important?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • It decides who is elected president.
  • It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.
50. What is one part of the judicial branch?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • Supreme Court
  • Federal Courts
51. What does the judicial branch do?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • Reviews laws
  • Explains laws
  • Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law
  • Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution
52. What is the highest court in the United States?*
Answer: Supreme Court
53. How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
Answer: Nine (9)
54. How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
Answer: Five (5)
55. How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • (For) life
  • Lifetime appointment
  • (Until) retirement
56. Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • To be independent (of politics)
  • To limit outside (political) influence
57. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
Answer: Choose your state above.
58. Name one power that is only for the federal government.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 6 options)

  • Print paper money
  • Mint coins
  • Declare war
  • Create an army
  • Make treaties
  • Set foreign policy
59. Name one power that is only for the states.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 5 options)

  • Provide schooling and education
  • Provide protection (police)
  • Provide safety (fire departments)
  • Give a driver’s license
  • Approve zoning and land use
60. What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
Answer: (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
61. Who is the governor of your state now?*
Answer: Choose your state above.
62. What is the capital of your state?
Answer: Choose your state above.

C: Rights and Responsibilities

63. There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
  • You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
  • Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
  • A male citizen of any race (can vote).
64. Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • Citizens
  • Citizens of the United States
  • U.S. citizens
65. What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?

Answers: (Choose any 3 of the following 6 options)

  • Freedom of expression
  • Freedom of speech
  • Freedom of assembly
  • Freedom to petition the government
  • Freedom of religion
  • The right to bear arms
66. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?*

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • The United States
  • The flag
67. Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.

Answers: (Choose any 2 of the following 6 options)

  • Give up loyalty to other countries
  • Defend the (U.S.) Constitution
  • Obey the laws of the United States
  • Serve in the military (if needed)
  • Serve (help, do important work for) the nation (if needed)
  • Be loyal to the United States
68. How can people become United States citizens?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment
  • Naturalize
  • Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress)
69. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?

Answers: (Choose any 2 of the following 10 options)

  • Vote
  • Run for office
  • Join a political party
  • Help with a campaign
  • Join a civic group
  • Join a community group
  • Give an elected official your opinion (on an issue)
  • Contact elected officials
  • Support or oppose an issue or policy
  • Write to a newspaper
70. What is one way Americans can serve their country?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 6 options)

  • Vote
  • Pay taxes
  • Obey the law
  • Serve in the military
  • Run for office
  • Work for local, state, or federal government
71. Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • Required by law
  • All people pay to fund the federal government
  • Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment)
  • Civic duty
72. It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • Required by law
  • Civic duty
  • Makes the draft fair, if needed

Section 2: American History

46 questions

A: Colonial Period and Independence

73. The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 5 options)

  • Freedom
  • Political liberty
  • Religious freedom
  • Economic opportunity
  • Escape persecution
74. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?*

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • American Indians
  • Native Americans
75. What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • Africans
  • People from Africa
76. What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • American Revolution
  • The (American) Revolutionary War
  • War for (American) Independence
77. Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 10 options)

  • High taxes
  • Taxation without representation
  • British soldiers stayed in Americans’ houses (boarding, quartering)
  • They did not have self-government
  • Boston Massacre
  • Boston Tea Party (Tea Act)
  • Stamp Act
  • Sugar Act
  • Townshend Acts
  • Intolerable (Coercive) Acts
78. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?*
Answer: (Thomas) Jefferson
79. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
Answer: July 4, 1776
80. The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 6 options)

  • (Battle of) Bunker Hill
  • Declaration of Independence
  • Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton)
  • (Battle of) Saratoga
  • Valley Forge (Encampment)
  • (Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown)
81. There were 13 original states. Name five.

Answers: (Choose any 5 of the following 13 options)

  • New Hampshire
  • Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island
  • Connecticut
  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Georgia
82. What founding document was written in 1787?
Answer: (U.S.) Constitution
83. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • (James) Madison
  • (Alexander) Hamilton
  • (John) Jay
  • Publius
84. Why were the Federalist Papers important?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution.
  • They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution.
85. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 5 options)

  • Founded the first free public libraries
  • First Postmaster General of the United States
  • Helped write the Declaration of Independence
  • Inventor
  • U.S. diplomat
86. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.*

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • “Father of Our Country”
  • First president of the United States
  • General of the Continental Army
  • President of the Constitutional Convention
87. Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 6 options)

  • Writer of the Declaration of Independence
  • Third president of the United States
  • Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase)
  • First Secretary of State
  • Founded the University of Virginia
  • Writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom
88. James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • “Father of the Constitution”
  • Fourth president of the United States
  • President during the War of 1812
  • One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
89. Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 5 options)

  • First Secretary of the Treasury
  • One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
  • Helped establish the First Bank of the United States
  • Aide to General George Washington
  • Member of the Continental Congress

B: 1800s

90. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • Louisiana Territory
  • Louisiana
91. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • War of 1812
  • Mexican-American War
  • Civil War
  • Spanish-American War
92. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
Answer: The Civil War
93. The Civil War had many important events. Name one.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 8 options)

  • (Battle of) Fort Sumter
  • Emancipation Proclamation
  • (Battle of) Vicksburg
  • (Battle of) Gettysburg
  • Sherman’s March
  • (Surrender at) Appomattox
  • (Battle of) Antietam/Sharpsburg
  • Lincoln was assassinated.
94. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.*

Answers: (Choose any of the following 5 options)

  • Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
  • Saved (or preserved) the Union
  • Led the United States during the Civil War
  • 16th president of the United States
  • Delivered the Gettysburg Address
95. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • Freed the slaves
  • Freed slaves in the Confederacy
  • Freed slaves in the Confederate states
  • Freed slaves in most Southern states
96. What U.S. war ended slavery?
Answer: The Civil War
97. What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?
Answer: 14th Amendment
98. When did all men get the right to vote?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • After the Civil War
  • During Reconstruction
  • (With the) 15th Amendment
  • 1870
99. Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 6 options)

  • Susan B. Anthony
  • Elizabeth Cady Stanton
  • Sojourner Truth
  • Harriet Tubman
  • Lucretia Mott
  • Lucy Stone

C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

100. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 5 options)

  • World War I
  • World War II
  • Korean War
  • Vietnam War
  • (Persian) Gulf War
101. Why did the United States enter World War I?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships
  • To support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia)
  • To oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria)
102. When did all women get the right to vote?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • 1920
  • After World War I
  • (With the) 19th Amendment
103. What was the Great Depression?
Answer: Longest economic recession in modern history
104. When did the Great Depression start?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • The Great Crash (1929)
  • Stock market crash of 1929
105. Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?
Answer: (Franklin) Roosevelt
106. Why did the United States enter World War II?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • (Bombing of) Pearl Harbor
  • Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
  • To support the Allied Powers (England, France, and Russia)
  • To oppose the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan)
107. Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • General during World War II
  • President at the end of (during) the Korean War
  • 34th president of the United States
  • Signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (Created the Interstate System)
108. Who was the United States’ main rival during the Cold War?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • Soviet Union
  • USSR
  • Russia
109. During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • Communism
  • Nuclear war
110. Why did the United States enter the Korean War?
Answer: To stop the spread of communism
111. Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?
Answer: To stop the spread of communism
112. What did the civil rights movement do?
Answer: Fought to end racial discrimination
113. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.*

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • Fought for civil rights
  • Worked for equality for all Americans
  • Worked to ensure that people would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”
114. Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?
Answer: To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait
115. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?*

Answers: (Choose any of the following 4 options)

  • Terrorists attacked the United States
  • Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City
  • Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia
  • Terrorists took over a plane originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania
116. Name one U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • (Global) War on Terror
  • War in Afghanistan
  • War in Iraq
117. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 25 options)

  • Apache
  • Blackfeet
  • Cayuga
  • Cherokee
  • Cheyenne
  • Chippewa
  • Choctaw
  • Creek
  • Crow
  • Hopi
  • Huron
  • Inupiat
  • Lakota
  • Mohawk
  • Mohegan
  • Navajo
  • Oneida
  • Onondaga
  • Pueblo
  • Seminole
  • Seneca
  • Shawnee
  • Sioux
  • Teton
  • Tuscarora
118. Name one example of an American innovation.

Answers: (Choose any of the following 7 options)

  • Light bulb
  • Automobile (cars, internal combustion engine)
  • Skyscrapers
  • Airplane
  • Assembly line
  • Landing on the moon
  • Integrated circuit (IC)

Section 3: Symbols and Holidays

10 questions

A: Symbols

119. What is the capital of the United States?
Answer: Washington, D.C.
120. Where is the Statue of Liberty?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • New York (Harbor)
  • Liberty IslandNote: Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).
121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?*

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • (Because there were) 13 original colonies
  • (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies
122. Why does the flag have 50 stars?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 3 options)

  • (Because there is) one star for each state
  • (Because) each star represents a state
  • (Because there are) 50 states
123. What is the name of the national anthem?
Answer: The Star-Spangled Banner
124. The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • Out of many, one
  • We all become one

B: Holidays

125. What is Independence Day?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
  • The country’s birthday
126. Name three national U.S. holidays.*

Answers: (Choose any 3 of the following 11 options)

  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
127. What is Memorial Day?
Answer: A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
128. What is Veterans Day?

Answers: (Choose any of the following 2 options)

  • A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military
  • A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military)

Study guide only. U.S. Language Services LLC is not sponsored by or affiliated with the United States Government or any Department or Agency thereof, including USCIS. Questions from the official USCIS lists.

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Common questions about the civics test

How many questions are on the citizenship test?

It depends on your version. If you filed Form N‑400 on or after October 20, 2025, you study 128 questions, the officer asks up to 20, and you need 12 correct to pass. If you filed before, you study 100, the officer asks up to 10, and you need 6 correct. The officer stops as soon as the result is decided.

Which version of the civics test will I take?

The date you filed Form N‑400 decides it, not the date of your interview. Filed on or after October 20, 2025: the 2025 test. Filed before: the 2008 test. Your filing date is in the “Received Date” box of your Form I‑797C receipt notice.

How does the civics test work?

It is spoken. On the day of your citizenship interview the officer reads each question aloud and you answer aloud: nothing is written down and there is no multiple choice. The same day you also take the English test, which checks that you can read, write, speak and understand English.

What is the 65/20 exception?

If, on the day you filed, you were 65 or older and had been a lawful permanent resident for periods totaling at least 20 years, you only study the 20 questions marked with an asterisk. The officer asks up to 10 of them and you need 6 correct. Both conditions have to be true; being 65 is not enough on its own.

Can I take the civics test in my own language?

Yes, if you qualify for one of the language exceptions: 50 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident, 55 or older with 15 years, or the 65/20 exception. You skip the English test and take the civics test in your language, with an interpreter you bring. See USCIS exceptions and accommodations.

Will I need any documents for the civics test?

You don’t need any documents specifically for the civics test. The purpose of the test is that you will have the above questions and answers memorized so that you don’t need written help.

However, as noted at the beginning of this guide, your civics test will take place on the same day as your citizenship interview. For that interview you’ll need all the documents required to go along with your N-400, Application for Naturalization. Some common documents needed for the N-400 are a copy of your green card, marriage certificates, or death certificates.

Should my documents be translated into English?

Yes, according to USCIS, if you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit an English translation.To guarantee that your naturalization application is processed quickly, it helps to use a certified translation.

Some documents that commonly need to be translated for immigration purposes include:

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About the author
Alyssa Morse-Salvati

Alyssa Morse-Salvati

Originally from the Boston area, Alyssa is a Tufts University graduate, Director of U.S. Language Services LLC, and a professional translator since 2008, specializing in legal and financial texts for leading law firms and multinational companies.

Guaranteed Acceptance

All our certified to English translations are accepted by the USCIS. Our translations follow the guidelines established by the USCIS and are also accepted by educational institutions.

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FAQs

You can order most translations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through our online store. For large projects (more than 20,000 words or 50 pages), please request a quote.

General Questions

Can you expedite my translation?2026-05-15T09:33:18-04:00

We offer expedited service for over 25 language combinations, including Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese and German.

With expedited service, your order is given priority and you can expect the turnaround time to be reduced by 50%.

Expedited service includes a 50% surcharge.

If you require expedited service for a document in another language, please inquire regarding availability. If we are able to accommodate your request, our staff will provide you with instructions on how to proceed.

Who will translate my document?2026-05-15T12:24:56-04:00

Our translators have years of experience in the translation industry and specialize in different areas of service. Many of them have graduate degrees and certificates in fields such as law and engineering.

How do you keep my information secure?2026-06-05T13:33:44-04:00

All your information is transmitted using SSL/TLS encryption.

We never receive, store or keep your credit card information. Your credit card information is processed externally by Stripe. The same company that manages payments for companies such as Uber, Lyft, Target, Blue Apron, SquareSpace, Slack and Spotify (to name a few).

U.S. Language Services has a strict confidentiality policy. We understand that in certain cases, given the sensitivity of the information to be translated, some clients require we sign a specific confidentiality agreement (NDA). We would be happy to sign your NDA.

In what currency are your prices?2026-06-05T13:33:09-04:00

All prices — both in the online store and in quotes sent via email — are indicated in U.S. dollars (USD).

How can I pay?2026-06-08T17:38:23-04:00

We accept all major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Klarna, Cash App, and 8am ClientPay (eCheck and credit cards).

We also offer flexible payment options. With Klarna or PayPal, you can pay in interest-free installments over several months — no extra cost to you.

Is my payment safe?2026-06-05T13:30:54-04:00

Yes. We use Stripe and PayPal as payment platforms. We never receive, store or keep your credit card information.
How is payment handled when I request a quote?2026-08-27T19:21:08-04:00

Every quote we send includes a payment link. That link can be used by you or by anyone else.

You can forward the link to a family member, a client, or any third party providing the funds. Payment is completed directly through the link and your order proceeds as usual.

If someone else pays, let us know the name or email address of the person who made the payment. There’s no need to tell us in advance. A quick note after the payment is made is enough for us to match it to your quote.

Certified Translation

What is a certified translation?2026-05-15T12:25:41-04:00

A certified translation is a word-for-word translation required for official use by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), universities, colleges, state or federal institutions and courts.

All our certified translations are issued in accordance with the regulations established by the USCIS, the institution that most frequently requires this type of document. A certified translation includes a certificate issued on our corporate letterhead signed by the translator and a U.S. Language Services representative in PDF format.

Do you provide notarization services?2026-05-19T12:44:06-04:00

Yes. We offer notarization as an add-on to our certified translations. This service is priced per document, since each translation is notarized separately with its own notary stamp and signature.

How it works:

  • Notarization is $39 per document.
  • If you don’t need notarization for all of your documents, let us know which ones you’d like notarized when placing your order.
  • Certified and notarized translations are delivered as PDF files.
  • We notarize the certified translation only — we cannot notarize your original document. If you need the original notarized, please have that done before submitting it for translation.

Example: If you’re ordering certified translations for a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, and a bank certificate, you can notarize all three documents, just one, or any combination. You’ll only pay $39 for each translation you choose to notarize.

How much does it cost?2026-05-15T13:26:27-04:00

The price for a certified translation is $39.00 per page. No hidden fees.

Each page may contain up to 250 words or fewer including numbers. Pages may be letter size (8.5″ x 11″), A4 or smaller and one sided.

For languages that use logograms, such as Chinese, Korean and Japanese, each character is considered a word.

How are the pages counted?2026-05-15T13:31:11-04:00

When you order a certified translation, the most significant variable is how the pages of the document are calculated. We take into consideration both the number of physical pages in your original document and the total word count.

Each page may contain up to 250 words. Pages may be letter size (8.5″ x 11″), A4 or smaller and one sided.

For example: A project with 2 physical pages that each contain 500 words (1,000 words total), is calculated as 4 pages (1,000 words ÷ 250 = 4 pages).

What happens if I don’t count the number of pages correctly?2026-05-15T13:30:59-04:00

Don’t worry. Our team reviews each order individually. If the number of pages is greater, we’ll contact you with instructions on how to proceed. If you ordered pages in excess, we’ll issue you a refund using the same payment method.

How long will it take?2026-05-15T12:25:05-04:00

For most common languages, including Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian and Chinese you can expect to receive:

  • A 1-3 page translation in 2 business days
  • A 4-10 page translation in 4 business days
  • An 11-20 page translation in 6 business days
  • A 20+ page translation in 6+ business days

For orders in other language pairs, our team will review your document and provide you with the delivery date once you place your order.

Note: Orders placed after 4 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time) will be processed on the following business day. Delivery dates exclude weekends & holidays.

Do you offer expedited service?2026-05-20T13:48:31-04:00

We offer expedited service for over 25 language combinations, including Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese and German.

With expedited service, your order is given priority and you can expect the turnaround time to be reduced by 50%.

Expedited service includes a 50% surcharge.

If you require expedited service for a document in another language, please inquire regarding availability. If we are able to accommodate your request, our staff will provide you with instructions on how to proceed.

Note: Standard terms apply for expedited service. Orders placed after 4 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time) will be processed on the following business day. Delivery dates exclude weekends & holidays.

How will my certified translation be delivered to me?2026-05-15T12:13:15-04:00

All certified translations are delivered in PDF format; we do not mail physical copies.

Do you provide apostille services?2026-05-15T12:11:00-04:00

No, we do not provide apostille services.

How are currencies and units of measurement handled?2026-05-15T12:11:11-04:00

In a certified translation, currency values cannot be converted; the currency shown in the original document must be maintained.

If you need the monetary amount to be shown in a different currency, the original document must include the conversion or a note indicating the exchange rate at the time the document was issued. In such cases, only the exchange-rate note will be translated.

The same applies to units of measurement, no conversions can be made, such as:

  • inches to centimeters
  • gallons to liters
  • miles to kilometers

Standard Translation

What is a standard translation?2026-05-15T12:15:46-04:00

A standard translation is a high-quality, professional translation of documents or text-based files delivered in an editable Word file. If you require a different format (pages, rtf, txt) just let us know when placing your order using the comments field. This service is perfect for:

  • Press releases, employee manuals
  • Websites, blog posts, emails, text messages
  • Financial statements, legal contracts
  • Online stores, e-commerce, product descriptions, etc.
How much does it cost?2026-05-15T12:15:37-04:00

The price for a standard translation is $0.12 per word. No hidden fees.

For languages that use logograms, such as Chinese, Korean and Japanese, each character is considered a word.

Is there a minimum?2026-05-15T12:15:05-04:00

Yes. The minimum per document is $24 or 200 words.

What languages do you translate?2026-05-15T12:24:03-04:00

U.S. Language Services provides translation services in 35 languages. We translate both from English and into English:

  • Arabic
  • Bulgarian
  • Catalan
  • Chinese (Simplified & Traditional)
  • Czech
  • Danish
  • Dari
  • Dutch
  • Farsi
  • French
  • Georgian
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hebrew
  • Hindi
  • Hungarian
  • Indonesian
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Norwegian
  • Polish
  • Portuguese (Brazil & Portugal)
  • Romanian
  • Russian
  • Slovak
  • Spanish (Spain and Latin America)
  • Swedish
  • Tagalog
  • Turkish
  • Ukrainian
  • Vietnamese
How long will it take?2026-05-15T12:15:55-04:00

For most common languages, including Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian and Chinese you can expect to receive:

  • A 500 word translation in 2 business days
  • A 1,000 word translation in 3 business days
  • A 2,000 word translation in 4 business days
  • A 5,000 word translation in 6 business days

For orders in other language pairs, our team will review your documents and provide you with the delivery date once you place your order.

Note: Orders placed after 4 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time) will be processed by our team on the following business day. Delivery dates exclude weekends & holidays.

How do you ensure quality?2026-06-05T14:48:46-04:00

Each project is assigned to a translator with experience in that field to guarantee that the proper terminology is used. In addition, all translations undergo a careful revision process before they are delivered to the client.

We encourage you to take a look at any of the more than 700 reviews we have received from satisfied clients.

U.S. Language Services LLC
ATA - American Translators Association

American Translators Association
Corporate Member: M-101886

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