Question 1 of 128 American Government
What is the form of government of the United States?
Answers USCIS accepts
- Republic
- Constitution-based federal republic
- Representative democracy
Give any one of these answers at your interview.
The United States is a republic: a constitution-based federal republic and a representative democracy.
What it means
In a republic, the people hold the power, but they do not vote on every law themselves. Instead, they elect representatives (members of Congress, the President, governors and others) to make decisions for them. That is why the United States is also called a representative democracy.
The word "federal" means power is shared between the national government in Washington, D.C. and the 50 state governments. "Constitution-based" means every part of government gets its power from the U.S. Constitution and must follow it.
At your interview, any one of the three answers is enough. "Republic" is the shortest and easiest to remember.
Memory tip: Think "we pick people to speak for us": a republic is government by elected representatives.
Quiz yourself
What is the form of government of the United States?
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Official source: USCIS M-1778 (09/25), 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version). Last checked: .