The jury summons — what to do as a citizen, and as a green-card holder

If you have a green card or other non-citizen visa status, a jury summons will likely arrive at your door at some point — and you must respond to it. Only U.S. citizens may actually serve on a jury, but ignoring a summons is itself a legal violation that can result in fines or worse. This guide walks you through what to do if you receive a jury summons as a green-card holder, and what changes once you become a citizen.

Why green-card holders receive jury summonses

Courts build their lists of potential jurors from public records, primarily voter registration rolls and driver's license records kept by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Since green-card holders can legally obtain a driver's license in all U.S. states, their names automatically end up in DMV databases. When the court's jury commissioner randomly selects names from these lists, non-citizens are included. This does not mean the court thinks you are eligible — it means you must tell the court yourself.

Citizenship is the federal requirement for jury service

Both federal and state courts require jurors to be U.S. citizens. Green-card holders, visa holders, and undocumented immigrants are not eligible to serve, no matter how long they have lived in the country. This is a federal baseline that applies nationwide. Some states may have additional local rules, but citizenship is the non-negotiable threshold everywhere.

How to respond if you are a green-card holder or other non-citizen

When a jury summons arrives, you will receive either a questionnaire form or a formal summons letter, or sometimes both. The summons packet will include instructions on how to respond and by when. Most courts expect a response within five to ten days of receiving the summons. Read those instructions carefully — they are specific to your jurisdiction.

To claim your disqualification as a non-citizen, follow these steps:

1. Look for the disqualification section on the questionnaire or summons. There will typically be a box or checkbox asking, 'Are you a U.S. citizen?'
2. Check 'No' to indicate you are not a U.S. citizen.
3. Attach a copy of proof of your non-citizen status. Courts generally accept a photocopy of your Permanent Resident Card (green card), a foreign passport, a U.S. visa, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or other immigration documentation. Never send originals.
4. Mail the completed form to the clerk of court at the address shown on the summons, or use the court's online portal if one is available.
5. Keep a copy for your records.

Once the jury commissioner's office receives your response and verification, they will typically send you a letter confirming that you are not required to appear for service. That is the end of the process. The jury office is not an immigration enforcement agency and does not report respondents to federal immigration authorities.

Never ignore a jury summons

Ignoring a jury summons is a serious mistake. A jury summons is a court order, not a request. If you do not respond, the court will typically send a second notice or a 'Failure to Respond' packet. If you continue to ignore it, you can face legal penalties for contempt of court.

Penalties for failing to respond or appear vary by jurisdiction. In federal court, ignoring a jury summons can result in a fine up to $1,000, up to three days imprisonment, and/or community service. State and local courts have their own rules: fines typically range from $100 to $1,500 depending on the state, and in rare cases of willful repeated non-compliance, jail time of up to six months is possible. In major metropolitan areas, courts are more likely to actively enforce these penalties.

The key point: responding to the summons and claiming your disqualification takes only a few minutes and costs nothing. Ignoring it can cost you hundreds of dollars or more in fines, and create legal headaches that require you to contact the court or hire a lawyer.

Never lie about your citizenship status on a jury summons

Some people are tempted to lie on a jury questionnaire to avoid having to appear. This is a very serious mistake. Making false statements on a jury questionnaire can be charged as perjury, a felony crime. More importantly for immigrants, lying on a jury summons creates a written record of a false statement that can surface later and damage your immigration case.

If you falsely claim you are a U.S. citizen on a jury summons, and that statement is later discovered when you apply for naturalization, USCIS will view it as a material false statement. Any false testimony under oath — whether on a jury form, in court, or to an immigration officer — can bar you from proving good moral character, which is a strict requirement for citizenship. The consequence can be denial of your naturalization application, or in severe cases, revocation of citizenship if it was already granted.

Similarly, falsely claiming non-citizen status to dodge jury service when you are actually a citizen is fraud and creates the same legal and immigration problems. The simple rule: always answer truthfully on any court document or form.

What happens once you become a U.S. citizen

Congratulations on earning your citizenship. As a new U.S. citizen, you are now eligible for jury duty, and you should expect to receive jury summonses. Jury service becomes a legal obligation and a civic responsibility. You can no longer respond with a non-citizen disqualification.

Jury service is mandatory

Once you are a citizen and receive a jury summons, you are legally required to respond and generally to appear for jury duty, unless you qualify for an exemption or excuse. You cannot simply decline. Your employer is required by law to give you time off for jury service; they cannot penalize you for serving.

Hardship excuses and deferrals

If you have a genuine hardship that makes jury service impossible or creates serious financial or personal burden, you may request an excuse or a deferral. Hardship examples include: being the only caregiver for a young child or elderly parent, a scheduled surgery or medical appointment, active military duty, or severe financial hardship. The summons will explain how to request an excuse or deferral, and the deadline to submit your request.

A deferral postpones your service to a later date when your circumstances may be better. An excuse removes you from duty entirely. Courts are generally sympathetic to legitimate hardships, but you must document your claim (medical letters, school schedules, military orders, etc.) and submit it on time. Generic complaints are rarely accepted.

If you receive a summons and your life situation genuinely does not allow you to serve, proactively contact the court's jury office before your scheduled date. Courts are more sympathetic to people who reach out early and explain their situation than to those who ignore the summons.

Court procedures vary by state and county

Every state and many individual counties have their own rules for jury selection, jury duty pay, and the length of service. What is excused in one jurisdiction may not be in another. The amount you are paid for a day of jury duty varies widely — some courts pay nothing, others pay $15 to $50 per day, and a few pay more. The summons itself will tell you what to expect for your specific court.

The best resource is the official instructions included in your summons packet or available on your local court's website. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies for an excuse or deferral, contact the jury office directly — that is what they are there for.

Beware of jury duty scams

Scammers sometimes impersonate court officials and send fake jury duty summonses, typically via phone, email, or text message, claiming you owe fines and demanding that you pay immediately or provide personal information like your Social Security Number or bank details. Real jury summonses are sent by U.S. mail and will not ask you to pay fines upfront or share sensitive financial information over the phone or email.

If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from a court, do not respond or provide any information. Instead, contact your local court's jury office directly using the phone number or website listed in official court materials or a simple web search. If you believe you have encountered a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Summary: your responsibility as a non-citizen and as a new citizen

• Green-card holders and other non-citizens will receive jury summonses because courts pull names from DMV records. This is normal and expected.
• You must respond to the summons. Ignoring it is illegal and can result in fines or contempt charges.
• Claim your disqualification by checking the non-citizen box and submitting proof (copy of your green card, passport, or EAD). Keep copies and mail or submit by the deadline given on the summons.
• Never lie on a jury summons. False statements are perjury and can damage your immigration record and future naturalization.
• Once you become a U.S. citizen, jury duty is a legal obligation. You must respond and generally must appear, unless you qualify for a legitimate hardship excuse or deferral.
• Always follow the specific instructions in your summons packet or on your local court's website — procedures vary significantly by state and county.
• Recognize jury duty scams: real summonses come by U.S. mail and never demand upfront payment or sensitive personal information.