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Form N-400 photo requirements

Form N-400 photo: size and rules

As of November 3, 2026, Form N-400 photos are needed only when applying from outside the U.S.: two 2 x 2 inch color prints with the head 1 to 1 3/8 inches tall, on white to off-white (per uscis.gov, checked on Nov 3, 2026).

USCIS asks for N-400 photos only from applicants residing outside the United States, such as certain service members and their spouses.

N-400 applicants applying from outside the United States include two identical color passport-style photos, taken recently.

Updated Rules checked against uscis.govHow we check

Measured drawing: Form N-400 photo2 in2 in1 3/8 in1 inchin1.2 in, our target
Form N-400 photo. Printed size 2 x 2 in. Head 1 to 1 3/8 in, measured from the chin to the top of the hair. The coral dot is where our tool places the top of the head (60% of the height).

Form N-400 photo at a glance

Printed size
2 x 2 inuscis.gov
Head height
1 to 1 3/8 inuscis.gov
Background
White to off-whiteuscis.gov
Prints needed
2 identical photosuscis.gov

Questions people ask

Do I need photos for Form N-400?

Only if you are applying from outside the United States, for example as a member of the armed forces abroad or a spouse in one of the eligible categories. Then you send two identical 2 x 2 inch color photos, taken recently.

USCIS may also ask for physical photos after you file, based on processing needs; it sends a request with instructions.

Sources: uscis.gov (pages 1, 2)

What are the photo rules for Form N-400?

2 x 2 inches, full face and frontal, white to off-white background, head 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of the hair to the chin and eyes 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches up from the bottom.

Thin glossy paper, unmounted and unretouched, with your name and A-Number lightly written on the back.

Source: uscis.gov

Every rule, with its source

Size and head position

  • USCIS asks for Form N-400 photos that are 2 by 2 inches and show the full face in a frontal view. uscis.gov
  • The Form N-400 instructions want the head 1 to 1 3/8 inches tall, from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin. uscis.gov
  • The eye line in a Form N-400 photo sits 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches above the bottom edge of the photo. uscis.gov

Background

  • Photos sent with Form N-400 need a white to off-white background. uscis.gov

Glasses, head coverings and clothing

  • A bare head is the rule in Form N-400 photos; headwear is allowed only when the applicant’s religious denomination requires it. uscis.gov

Editing and filters

  • USCIS wants Form N-400 photos printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, unmounted and unretouched. uscis.gov

Printed photo

  • N-400 applicants applying from outside the United States include two identical color passport-style photos, taken recently. uscis.gov
  • Before mailing, write the name and A-Number, if there is one, lightly on the back of each Form N-400 photo with a pencil or felt pen. uscis.gov

Where photos come from

  • USCIS asks for N-400 photos only from applicants residing outside the United States, such as certain service members and their spouses. uscis.gov
  • The USCIS N-400 page says it may ask for physical passport photos after the application is filed, based on processing needs, and will send instructions. uscis.gov

FAQ

Do I need passport photos for the citizenship application (N-400)?

Only if you apply from outside the United States; then you send two identical color passport-style photos. USCIS may also request photos after you file. Source: official pages "Instructions for Form N-400 (edition 01/20/25) › Photographs" and "N-400, Application for Naturalization | USCIS", checked on Nov 3, 2026.

What size are N-400 photos?

2 x 2 inches, with the head 1 to 1 3/8 inches tall, on a white to off-white background. Source: official page "Instructions for Form N-400 (edition 01/20/25) › Photographs", checked on Nov 3, 2026.

Is SelfieToPassport U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services?

No. SelfieToPassport is not affiliated with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or any other government agency. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services publishes the photo rules for free at uscis.gov; this page links to each one.

Does SelfieToPassport replace the background of a Form N-400 photo?

For U.S. documents we crop and resize your original photo. We do not replace the background: the State Department lists photos with a background cut out by software as unacceptable.

Ready? Free preview with the measurements drawn on your photo; $6.95 for the digital file and both print sheets.

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Where this information comes from

Every rule on this page comes from a page published by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.

Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.