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US Naturalization (Form N-400) Photo: 2x2 Inch Rules

Most N-400 applicants do not send a photo, because USCIS captures it at the biometrics appointment. Applicants filing from outside the US send two identical 2x2 inch colour photos on a white or off-white background.

  • 51×51 mm
  • White
  • Rules checked October 5, 2026
  1. Document
  2. Photo
  3. Check
  4. Download

Make your US Naturalization (N-400) photo

51×51 mm · background: white

Upload a photo of yourself

JPG, PNG, WEBP or HEIC. Drag it here or choose a file.

  • Face the camera, keep your head straight and your mouth closed.
  • Stand about 1 m from a plain wall in soft, even light. No shadows on the face.
  • Ask someone else to take it from eye level. Shoulders should be visible.
  • Remove glasses, hats and hair from the face. Religious head coverings are allowed if the face is fully visible.
  • For a baby, lay them on a plain white sheet and photograph from straight above.

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Fit your face inside the oval. Better: ask someone to take the photo with the back camera.

US Naturalization (N-400) photo requirements

Official rules summarised. Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (Form N-400 Instructions). Official page

Photo size
51 × 51 mm (2.01 × 2.01 in)
Resolution
300 DPI
Head height (chin to crown)
25.4–34.9 mm
Eye line from bottom
28.6–34.9 mm
Background
White
Glasses
Not allowed
Expression
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Head covering
Only for religious reasons, face fully visible
Printed copies
2
Submission
Printed photo

Most applicants do NOT need to supply a photo: USCIS captures it at the biometrics appointment (ASC) and may use it on the naturalization certificate. Only applicants applying from outside the US (e.g. armed forces members and their spouses, spouses of US citizens working abroad for qualified employers) must send 2 identical colour 2x2 in glossy, unretouched photos (head 1-1 3/8 in from top of hair to chin, eyes 1 1/8-1 3/8 in from bottom), and USCIS may request photos later. Glasses are not addressed; 'no' follows passport-style rules.

Correct and incorrect examples

  • CorrectCentred, neutral, even light

  • Too closeHead fills the frame

  • Head tiltedKeep your head level

  • ShadowsLight from one side

  • GlassesReflections hide the eyes

  • SmilingMouth must be closed

  • Hair over the eyesEyes and eyebrows must be visible

  • Busy backgroundUse a plain, light wall

Do you need to send a photo?

Most applicants do not need to supply a photo with Form N-400. USCIS captures it at the biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center and may use it on the naturalization certificate. Only applicants applying from outside the United States, such as members of the armed forces and their spouses, or spouses of US citizens working abroad for qualified employers, must send two identical colour 2x2 inch photos. USCIS may also ask for photos later.

The 2x2 inch rules

  • Size: 2x2 inches (51x51 mm), square.
  • Copies: 2, identical.
  • Paper: glossy and unretouched.
  • Head size: 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25.4-34.9 mm) from the top of the hair to the chin.
  • Eye line: 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches (28.6-34.9 mm) from the bottom of the photo.
  • Background: white to off-white.
  • Glasses: the instructions do not address them. IDPhotoly follows passport-style rules and recommends none.
  • Head covering: religious reasons only, with the face fully visible.

Taking the photo at home

Place yourself in front of a plain white or off-white wall and face a window so the light is even. A helper should hold the phone level at eye height and take the picture in portrait orientation, far enough away to capture the full head and shoulders. Keep a neutral expression, mouth closed and both eyes open. Avoid shadows behind the head.

Add the picture to IDPhotoly. It is processed in your browser, set to a 2x2 inch square with the head and eye line in the stated ranges, and the background is replaced with white.

Why photos are returned

  • A head that is too small or too large in the square.
  • Shadows on the face or a grey wall.
  • Retouching or heavy filters.
  • Two photos that are not identical.
  • Printing on plain paper instead of photo paper.
  • A tilted head or an expression that is not neutral.

Printing the two photos

Download the 4x6 inch (10x15 cm) sheet, which holds two 2x2 inch photos. Print it at actual size, never fit to page, on photo paper. Check one photo with a ruler: 2 inches on both sides. Cut along the guide lines. Then send them as the N-400 instructions direct.

Before you print, read the current Form N-400 instructions on the USCIS website to confirm whether your situation needs photos at all. IDPhotoly is not affiliated with any government. If an official authority rejects a photo made with the service, you can request a full refund by email within 30 days.

Helpful guides

All guides

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a photo for Form N-400?

Usually not. USCIS captures it at the biometrics appointment. Applicants filing from outside the US, such as military members and their spouses, must send two photos.

What is the photo size?

Two identical colour photos of 2x2 inches (51x51 mm).

How big should the head be?

From the top of the hair to the chin, 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25.4-34.9 mm), with the eyes 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches (28.6-34.9 mm) from the bottom.

What background is accepted?

White to off-white.

Can USCIS ask for photos later?

Yes. The instructions say USCIS may request photos at a later stage.

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Page updated October 5, 2026. Requirements can change. Always check the official page before you apply.