This is a complete list of the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a US citizen. In some states, certain rights and privileges may have certain restrictions for certain classes of citizens. Most services are mandatory, some services (such as voting) are voluntary. In some cases there are exceptions. The list of rights and privileges of a US citizen is longer than the list of rights and privileges of a US permanent resident. This list of U.S. citizen responsibilities is shorter than the permanent list of U.S. resident responsibilities.
1. Rights and Privileges
The laws of the United States shall be followed by all, the laws of the person’s state of residence and local jurisdiction.
Use must be made in the US for any legal person’s work absolutely and selectively.
U.S. join the armed forces.
To vote in federal, state and local elections. There are some state restrictions on voting by convicted felons.
In federal and state elections. There are federal restrictions. A natural person is prohibited from running for President and Vice President of the United States.
To purchase a firearm. There are some state restrictions.
Have a firearm. There are some state restrictions.
Property in the US.
To obtain public benefits (Public, Medicaid, Food Stamps, WIC, Supplemental Security Income – SSI, and others certain benefits).
United States (through US ambassadors and consulates).
Have proof of citizenship (birth certificate, citizenship certificate, naturalization certificate) without expiration.
At the request of a husband or wife to become a permanent resident of the United States.
Petition for unmarried children under 21 as US permanent residents.
To apply for unmarried sons and daughters age 21 or older as US permanent residents.
Require parents to be US permanent residents.
To apply for wife’s sons and daughters as US permanent residents.
Petition for brothers and sisters to become US permanent residents.
2. Services.
Obey all federal, state and local laws in the US.
To defend the US Constitution against foreign and domestic enemies.
Services not for loyalty in foreign countries.
Renouncing allegiance to a foreign entity to which US citizens previously held allegiance.
Legal service in the US armed forces (either combat or non-combat).
To perform civil services of national importance when required by law.
To support the popular form of government and not to try to change the government through illegal means.
To register with the Selective Service of the United States Armed Forces (for males between the ages of 18 and 26).
To serve as a witness in court (if subpoenaed or cited).
To answer the summons to serve in the judgment.
To serve as a lawyer in court (if elected).
Voting in federal, state and local elections (voluntary service). There are state exceptions. For example, in most states there are restrictions on voting by convicted felons.
Report income tax returns, report income taxes, and pay federal, state, and local income tax, from all sources in the world. There are exceptions, for example, in some cases , a US citizen living abroad can federal-income-tax”>remove his federal income tax.
To travel in and out of the US a US passport can be obtained for any other US citizen.
A US passport or other documents required to show US citizenship to an immigration officer at the port of entry.
Sources:
Laws: Constitution, US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Internal Revenue Code (IRC)
Regulations: Code of Federal Constitutions, Title 8 (8 CFR)
Subject: US Permanent Residency: Gender-Based Categories, Grounds of Inadmissibility
