Question 1

Will USCIS use these photos?

Accepted Answer

We can’t say. USCIS says it “will not use or reuse self-submitted photographs” and takes the photo for your card at your appointment, while some form instructions still ask for two photos. Follow your form’s current instructions.

Question 2

Do you edit my photo?

Accepted Answer

No. We level, resize and crop it, and nothing else.

USCIS’s rule, in short: The form instructions ask for photos that are unmounted and unretouched. USCIS adopted the State Department’s passport-style photo standards (PM-602-0072, 2012).

So a wall that isn’t white or off-white means a new photo. The camera helps you take it.

Question 3

I don’t have a white wall. What can I use?

Accepted Answer

USCIS asks for a white or off-white background. A white door, a white sheet pinned flat to a wall, or white poster board. Face a window so the light falls on your face, and stand about 2 ft in front of the wall so your shadow falls behind you.

Question 4

How do I print it?

Accepted Answer

Save the 4 × 6 sheet to your phone (it holds 2 photos at 2 × 2 in; the application asks for 2) and order one 4 × 6 print at a drugstore photo counter or kiosk, with auto-correct and crop to fit turned off. Check the store’s current price for one 4 × 6 print. You can also print the Letter sheet at home at 100% scale and cut along the lines.

Question 5

What size is a USCIS forms photo?

Accepted Answer

The printed photo is 2 × 2 in (50.8 × 50.8 mm). Your head must measure 25.4–34.9 mm (1–1 3/8 in) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, including hair. Your eyes must be 28.6–34.9 mm (1 1/8–1 3/8 in) from the bottom of the photo. The background must be white or off-white.

Question 6

Is my photo private?

Accepted Answer

The check runs on your device. Your photo is uploaded only when you continue to checkout, and we delete your files 7 days after your order.

Print size	2 × 2 in (50.8 × 50.8 mm) We crop to it.	We crop to it.
Head height	25.4–34.9 mm (1–1 3/8 in), chin to top of head, hair included The camera tells you to move closer or back.	The camera tells you to move closer or back.
Eye line	28.6–34.9 mm (1 1/8–1 3/8 in) from the bottom
Background	White or off-white The camera reads your wall before it takes the photo. We don’t edit it.	The camera reads your wall before it takes the photo. We don’t edit it.
Editing	The form instructions ask for photos that are unmounted and unretouched. USCIS adopted the State Department’s passport-style photo standards (PM-602-0072, 2012).

Head coverings	No head coverings except for religious reasons; your full face must be visible.
Other rules	Two identical color photos, taken recently (some forms ask for within 30 days). Write your name and A-Number lightly in pencil on the back. Face the camera directly, eyes open, plain white or off-white background.

Make your USCIS form photos here

The sheet you take to the counter

The rule, and how the camera keeps you in it

1. First try

2. Second try

3. Third try

Before and after you pay

Questions