US Naturalization Photo (Form N-400, applicants abroad): size and requirements
The US Naturalization Photo size is 51 x 51 mm (2.01 x 2.01 inches). White to off-white background; head 49 to 69 percent of the photo height. Last verified 2026-10-07 against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
For the two printed 2 x 2 inch photos that Form N-400 requires only from applicants residing outside the United States (for example military members and their spouses). Not needed if you live in the United States; the N-400 instructions ask no photo of you and say USCIS may collect biometrics (fingerprints, photograph and/or signature) at an appointment.
Requirements at a glance
- Size
- 51 x 51 mm (2.01 x 2.01 inches)
- Head height
- Head 49 to 69 percent of the photo height (head height 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin; eye height 1 1/8 and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the photo)
- Eye line
- 56 to 69 percent from the bottom of the photo
- Background
- white to off-white background
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking at the camera
- Glasses
- Not allowed
- Head covering
- Only for religious or medical reasons; full face visible
- Prints needed
- 2
- We deliver
- 602 x 602 px (300 DPI), plus a 4 x 6 inch print sheet
What trips people up
- CheckMost N-400 applicants do not need photos at all: the instructions require them only from applicants residing outside the United States, who attach two prints.
- CheckThe USCIS 2 x 2 standard measures head height from the top of the hair, and wants thin glossy paper, unmounted and unretouched, with your name and A-Number pencilled on the back.
Good to know before you pay
If you live in the United States, skip the photo entirely: Form N-400 requires photos only from applicants residing outside the United States.
Source and verification
Read from the official page. Last checked 2026-10-07 at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Photograph Requirements for Applicants Residing Outside the United States
If you are applying from outside the United States because you are in one of those categories, you must submit two identical color passport-style photographs of yourself taken recently.
The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched.
Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and eye height should measure between 1 1/8 and 1 3/8 inches from the top of your eyes to the bottom of the photo.
Read directly from the Form N-400 instructions PDF (01/20/25) on uscis.gov. The instructions say USCIS 'may require you to appear for an interview and provide biometrics (fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature)'; they do not say a mailed photo is ignored, and say nothing about photos for online filing, so no such claims are made here.
We are an independent service, not a government website. Applying for a passport or visa is done with your government; we only prepare the photo.
Frequently asked questions
