How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?

Answers from the USCIS list

Give one of these answers.

• Amendments
• The amendment process

Our explanation

A change to the Constitution is called an amendment. The Founders, who wrote the Constitution, wanted people to be able to change it. Three-fourths of the states (38 of 50) must approve each amendment.

Remember it

Amend means change. Changes to the Constitution are called amendments: 27 so far.

Source

USCIS 2025 Study Guide p. 15: "A change to the Constitution is called an amendment... it must be approved by three-fourths of the states... 38 out of the 50 states must approve"

• 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25) (PDF, USCIS)

Last checked on September 29, 2026.

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Easy to mix up with

• 7How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?