U.S. citizens have specific rights (freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution) and responsibilities (obligations they accept as citizens). Rights include voting, running for office, and free speech. Responsibilities include obeying laws, paying taxes, serving on juries, and (for men 18-25) registering for Selective Service.
Rights of U.S. citizens:
- Vote in federal elections
- Run for federal office
- Apply for federal jobs
- Travel with a U.S. passport
- Bring family members to the U.S.
Responsibilities of U.S. citizens:
- Obey federal, state, and local laws
- Pay income and other taxes
- Serve on a jury when called
- Register for Selective Service (men ages 18-25)
- Defend the country if needed
Rights of U.S. Citizens
As a citizen, you gain rights that are protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States:
Rights Everyone in the U.S. Has (Citizens and Non-Citizens)
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of the press
- Freedom of assembly
- Right to bear arms
- Protection from unreasonable search
- Right to a fair trial
- Protection from cruel and unusual punishment
These rights come from the Bill of Rights and apply to everyone on U.S. soil, not just citizens.
Rights Only Citizens Have
- The right to vote in federal elections
- The right to run for federal office (President, Senator, Representative)
- The right to a U.S. passport
- The right to bring family members to the United States (through immigration petitions)
- Protection from deportation — citizens cannot be deported
- The right to hold certain government jobs that require citizenship
Voting is the most important right that distinguishes citizens from non-citizens. It is how citizens participate in their government directly.
Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens
With rights come responsibilities. Some are mandatory (required by law) and some are voluntary (important civic duties).
Mandatory Responsibilities
- Obey the law — federal, state, and local laws
- Pay taxes — federal income tax (due April 15), state and local taxes
- Serve on a jury if called — the right to a jury trial only works if citizens serve on juries
- Register for Selective Service (males ages 18-25) — registration for potential military draft
Voluntary (But Important) Responsibilities
- Vote in elections — federal, state, and local
- Participate in the democratic process — stay informed, attend town halls, contact your representatives
- Respect the rights of others — even those you disagree with
- Defend the Constitution — the Oath of Allegiance includes this commitment
- Serve the community — volunteer, help neighbors, contribute to civic life
The Oath of Allegiance
When you become a naturalized citizen, you take the Oath of Allegiance. In this oath, you promise to:
- Support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States
- Renounce loyalty to any other country
- Bear arms on behalf of the United States if required by law
- Perform noncombatant service if required
- Perform work of national importance under civilian direction if required
The oath is a serious commitment. It represents the transition from resident to citizen — from someone who lives in America to someone who is responsible for America.
Voting: Your Most Powerful Right
Voting is how citizens shape the government. You can vote for:
- President — every 4 years
- U.S. Senators — every 6 years
- U.S. Representatives — every 2 years
- State and local officials — governors, mayors, city council, school boards
- Ballot measures — propositions, bond issues, referendums
To vote, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be registered to vote in your state
- Meet your state's residency requirements
The last day to vote is Election Day — the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Three Types of U.S. Citizenship: Birth, Naturalized, and Derived
Most Americans hold the same rights and responsibilities, but the path to citizenship is not the same for everyone. There are three legal types of U.S. citizenship — and understanding the difference matters for the citizenship test, for immigration paperwork, and for explaining your own status to schools, employers, and government agencies.
Citizenship by birth (birthright citizenship). Anyone born on U.S. soil — including the 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa — is a U.S. citizen at birth. This right comes from the 14th Amendment, which states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." Children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents may also acquire citizenship at birth under specific residency and acknowledgment rules.
Naturalized citizenship. A lawful permanent resident (green card holder) who meets the requirements — 5 years of continuous residence (3 if married to a U.S. citizen), good moral character, basic English and civics knowledge, and an oath of allegiance — can become a citizen through naturalization. The process is documented on USCIS Form N-400. Naturalized citizens have the same rights as birth citizens with one Constitutional exception: they cannot serve as President or Vice President (Article II requires "natural born Citizen" status).
Derived citizenship. Children who become citizens automatically through a parent's naturalization (under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000) hold derived citizenship. Generally, a child under 18 who is a lawful permanent resident living in the legal and physical custody of a U.S. citizen parent automatically becomes a U.S. citizen the moment the parent naturalizes — no separate application needed.
All three types of citizens carry the same core rights and responsibilities described above. The differences matter mainly for proof of citizenship (passport, naturalization certificate, or citizenship certificate) and for eligibility for the Presidency.
Test Questions About Rights and Responsibilities
Q: What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens? A: Serve on a jury / vote in a federal election
Q: What are two rights only for United States citizens? A: Vote in a federal election / run for federal office
Q: What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? A: Speech / religion / assembly / press / petition the government
Q: What is the "rule of law"? A: Everyone must follow the law / leaders must obey the law / government must obey the law / no one is above the law
Q: What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? A: Vote / join a political party / help with a campaign / join a civic group / give an elected official your opinion on an issue / run for office
Q: When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms? A: April 15
Q: When must all men register for the Selective Service? A: At age 18 / between 18 and 26
Built-in accommodations and study path. Applicants with qualifying medical conditions can use Form N-648 (medical disability waiver) to request an exception from the civics and English testing requirements — an accommodation built into the naturalization process. To prepare for the USCIS interview that confirms these rights, see our step-by-step guide to studying for the citizenship test.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are two rights only for U.S. citizens?
Two rights only for U.S. citizens are voting in federal elections and running for federal office. Permanent residents have many other rights but cannot vote or run for federal office.
What are the responsibilities of a U.S. citizen?
Citizens must obey the laws, pay taxes, serve on a jury when called, and (for men 18-25) register for Selective Service. Citizens are also expected to defend the country if needed.
What is Selective Service?
Selective Service is the system that registers men ages 18-25 in case the U.S. needs to draft soldiers for the military. Registration is required by law for all male U.S. residents in this age range, including non-citizens.
Do permanent residents have the same rights as citizens?
No. Permanent residents have many rights (work, live, own property in the U.S.), but they cannot vote in federal elections, run for federal office, or apply for most federal jobs. They can also be deported for serious crimes.
Is jury duty mandatory?
Yes. Serving on a jury is a legal responsibility for U.S. citizens. If you receive a jury summons, you must respond — failure to appear can result in fines or contempt of court charges.
What rights are protected by the First Amendment?
The First Amendment protects five freedoms: speech, religion, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.
What is one responsibility of a U.S. citizen?
One responsibility of a U.S. citizen is serving on a jury when summoned. Other accepted answers include voting in a federal election, paying federal taxes, registering for Selective Service (men ages 18–25), and obeying federal, state, and local laws. The USCIS civics test asks this exact question — any of these answers is acceptable.
What are the duties of a U.S. citizen?
U.S. citizens have both legal duties and civic ones. Legal duties include paying taxes, serving on a jury when called, and (for men ages 18–25) registering for Selective Service. Civic duties are expected but not legally required — voting in elections, staying informed about issues, participating in the community, and respecting the rights and beliefs of others.
What are some civic duties of American citizens?
Civic duties of American citizens go beyond the legal minimum. They include voting in every election, serving on a jury when called, staying informed about local and national issues, paying taxes, joining a civic or community group, attending public meetings, and respecting the rights of others. Many are voluntary but considered essential to a functioning democracy.
What are 4 responsibilities of citizenship?
Four core responsibilities of U.S. citizenship are: (1) obeying federal, state, and local laws, (2) paying taxes honestly and on time, (3) serving on a jury when summoned, and (4) registering for Selective Service if you are a male age 18–25. Voting is sometimes counted as a fifth — it is a right with civic significance rather than a strict legal requirement.
What obligations come with U.S. citizenship?
Citizenship brings both legal obligations and civic ones. Legally, citizens must obey U.S. laws, pay taxes, and respond to jury summonses. Civically, citizens are expected to participate in elections, stay informed, and contribute to their community. Naturalized citizens also take the Oath of Allegiance, which is itself a binding obligation to support and defend the Constitution.
What are the responsibilities of U.S. citizens?
U.S. citizens have both mandatory and voluntary responsibilities. Mandatory duties required by law include obeying federal, state, and local laws, paying federal taxes by April 15, serving on a jury when summoned, and (for men ages 18–25) registering for Selective Service. Voluntary responsibilities expected of every citizen include voting in elections, staying informed about issues, participating in the community, and respecting the rights and beliefs of others.
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
The two responsibilities that are only for United States citizens — both accepted by USCIS on the civics test — are serving on a federal jury when summoned and voting in a federal election. Non-citizens can pay taxes and obey laws, but only citizens can be called to federal jury duty or cast a vote in a federal election.
What are 3 rights only for U.S. citizens?
Three rights reserved for U.S. citizens are: (1) the right to vote in federal elections, (2) the right to run for federal office (President, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative), and (3) the right to a U.S. passport. Other citizen-only rights include protection from deportation and the right to petition family members for U.S. immigration benefits.
What rights and obligations come with U.S. citizenship?
U.S. citizenship comes with exclusive rights (voting in federal elections, holding federal office, U.S. passport, protection from deportation, petitioning family) and legal obligations (obeying laws, paying taxes, serving on juries, Selective Service registration for men 18–25). It also includes the Oath of Allegiance — a binding promise to support and defend the U.S. Constitution. Civic responsibilities like voting, staying informed, and community participation are expected but voluntary.
What rights do you have as a citizen of the United States?
As a citizen of the United States, you have rights everyone in the U.S. shares (free speech, religion, press, assembly, the right to bear arms, fair trial, protection from unreasonable search) and rights only citizens have (voting in federal elections, running for federal office, holding a U.S. passport, petitioning family for immigration benefits, and protection from being deported). The First Amendment and the Bill of Rights are the foundation for most of these.
Key Takeaways
- Citizens have exclusive rights: voting, running for office, passport, deportation protection
- Mandatory duties: obey laws, pay taxes, serve on juries, register for Selective Service
- Voluntary duties: vote, participate in democracy, serve the community
- The Oath of Allegiance commits you to supporting and defending the Constitution
- Voting is the most important civic right — Election Day is the Tuesday after the first Monday in November
- Know the difference between rights everyone has and rights only citizens have