At your naturalization interview, a USCIS officer may ask you to name a current official, such as the President, one of your state’s U.S. senators, your U.S. representative, or your governor. On both the 2008 and 2025 civics tests, USCIS says to name the official serving at the time of your interview. Check USCIS test updates and official directories before your appointment.
Which citizenship test answers can change?
Some civics answers change after an election, appointment, or vacancy. The USCIS 2025 civics questions and answers say applicants must name the official serving at the time of the interview and check USCIS test updates for answers that may have changed.
Not every current-officeholder question is about an elected official. The USCIS list also asks for the current Chief Justice, an appointed position.
Current-officeholder questions include:
- Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now?
- Who is your U.S. representative?
- Who is the Speaker of the House now?
- Who is the President of the United States now?
- Who is the Vice President of the United States now?
- Who is the governor of your state now?
- Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
Some answers depend on where you live. USCIS gives special responses for residents of Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories for certain offices. Use the study materials for your test version to see which questions apply to you.
Does an election winner become the answer right away?
No. Winning an election does not put a candidate in office on election day. The winner must wait until the term begins and the government recognizes them in that role. Until then, name the person currently serving, unless the seat becomes vacant earlier.
Under the Twentieth Amendment, the terms of outgoing U.S. representatives and senators whose terms expire in 2027 end at noon on January 3. Their successors’ terms begin at that time.
How do I find my current elected officials?
Check official government sources for the offices in your USCIS study materials:
- Start with USCIS. Review the Civics Test Updates page for answers USCIS has identified as changed.
- Find your U.S. representative. Enter your ZIP code in the House lookup. During a transition, read its notice to confirm whether it lists the current member or a new member.
- Find your senators and state officials. Use USAGov’s elected-officials directory to reach federal and state government directories.
- Check the date. Review the official sources before your interview, especially if it falls near the start of a new term or Congress.
After the November 2026 midterm elections
The 2026 midterm elections took place on November 3. Some newly elected officials will take office in 2027, with start dates varying by position.
If your interview is close to January 3, 2027, read the transition notice in the House lookup to see which Congress its directory covers. This matters especially if your district boundaries changed for the November election.
For senators, governors, and other state officials, check the relevant official directory for the new term’s start date. Name the person serving on your interview date.
Can Citizenry help me practice current-official answers?
Citizenry’s ZIP-code lookup can show officials for your area and help you practice their names and pronunciation. The app updates the names of officials once they take office. It can show local officials in addition to the offices on the civics test, so use your USCIS study materials to decide which answers to practice. Confirm changing answers with USCIS and official government sources before your interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which official should I name during my naturalization interview?
Name the person serving in the office on the day of your interview.
Does an election winner take office on election day?
No. The winner takes office when the term begins and the government recognizes that person in the role. Check the official directory for the person serving on your interview date.
Where can I find my current U.S. representative?
Use the official House lookup to match your ZIP code with your congressional district and current member. Check its notice around the start of a new Congress.
Does Citizenry update elected-official answers?
Citizenry’s ZIP-code lookup updates when a new elected official takes office. Use it to practice, then confirm current answers with USCIS and official government directories before your interview.
Official Sources
Sources last checked .
- USCIS: Check for Test Updates
- USCIS: 128 Civics Questions and Answers, 2025 Civics Test (PDF)
- National Archives: Twentieth Amendment, Section 1
- U.S. House of Representatives: Find Your Representative
- USAGov: Find and Contact Elected Officials
Related Articles
- What Does USCIS Ask During the Citizenship Interview?
- Which Citizenship Test Will I Take, 2008 or 2025?
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