Federal Jurors Must Be Citizens, Not Green Card Holders
Federal jurors must be US citizens, so green card holders don’t qualify for federal jury service: the US Courts website says that to be legally qualified, a juror must be a US citizen, at least 18 and have lived primarily in the judicial district for at least a year. Jurors must also be able to adequately read, write, understand and speak English.
Federal jurors are drawn at random from a court’s “jury wheel” for possible qualification, then summoned if needed. For a deferral or excusal, contact the federal court where you were selected.
Qualifications for federal jurors
The US Courts website explains (US Courts juror qualifications):
- A US citizen.
- At least 18.
- One year of residence: have lived primarily in the judicial district for at least one year when completing the qualification questionnaire.
- English: able to adequately read, write, understand and speak English.
- Physical and mental condition: no disqualifying mental or physical condition that can’t be addressed with an accommodation.
- Felonies: not currently facing felony charges punishable by more than a year in prison, and never convicted of a felony (unless civil rights were legally restored or never lost).
Exemptions and excuses
- Three exempt groups: active-duty members of the armed forces and national guard; non-federal professional (not volunteer) fire and police; and full-time elected or appointed public officers of federal, state or local governments.
- People who can ask to be permanently excused: most district courts permanently excuse certain groups on request, such as people over 70, people who served on a federal jury in the past two years, and volunteer firefighters or rescue and ambulance crew.
- Temporary deferral or excusal: courts may defer or excuse you temporarily for undue hardship or extreme inconvenience.
- Up to the court: excuses are at the court’s discretion and can’t be appealed to Congress; each of the 94 district courts has its own procedures.
For whether non-citizens can vote, see Green Card Holders Can't Vote Federally, Some Local Votes OK; for other responsibilities of green card holders, see Green Card Duties, Worldwide Income and Long Stays Abroad.
What this article did not check
- State court juror qualifications: this article covers only federal courts and did not check state courts.
- How to respond if you get a notice but don’t qualify: this page doesn’t say, so this article doesn’t either; contact the court that sent the notice.
- What happens if you don’t respond: this page doesn’t say, and this article did not check.
Frequently asked questions
Can green card holders serve on a federal jury?
No. The US Courts website says federal jurors must be US citizens.
How do federal courts choose jurors?
They’re drawn at random from the court’s jury wheel for possible qualification, then summoned if needed.
Can I postpone?
Courts may defer or excuse you temporarily for undue hardship or extreme inconvenience; contact the federal court where you were selected.
Do I have to serve if I’m over 70?
Most district courts permanently excuse people over 70 on request; it’s up to the court.
Sources and dates checked
All checked on 2026-10-30. This article is not legal advice.
- U.S. Courts, Juror Qualifications, Exemptions and Excuses (no update date on the page):https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/jury-service/juror-qualifications-exemptions-and-excuses