Us Citizenship

In order to obtain citizenship in the United States it is necessary to have a citizenship photo. Many people assume that a citizenship photo is the same as a regular identification picture or even the same as a passport photo. However, this is not true and the requirements or specifications for a citizenship photo are different than passports and state identification pictures. It is important to know the requirements in order to have the right type of photo taken.

A citizenship photo is required to be taken within one year of application for citizenship. You cannot wait past the one year to comply with this regulation. Unless your religion requires you to wear head covering, a citizenship photo must be taken without anything on the head. This means that you cannot wear caps, scarves, bandanas or other head coverings for these pictures. If you wear any type of head covering that is not required by your religion, the photo will be rejected for your application.

The size of the citizenship photo should be 35mm by 53mm for the completed picture size. The distance between the top of the head and the chin of the subject should be somewhere between 25mm and 35mm. This means that the subject's head will be the majority of the picture frame. It is preferable that the applicant's head be centered in the middle of the citizenship photo. Additionally, the regulations require that the photo be taken of the front view of the person's face. Do not have the head tilted down or turned to the side for a citizenship photo.

All pictures are to be made in black and white. You will need two identical pictures for the application that are produced from the same unaltered negative. You have the option of having the picture taken with a split lens camera so that one shot is taken but two images are produced simultaneously.

After the picture is developed the name of the photographer, the name of the studio or picture taking service, the address of the facility and the date of the picture needs to be written in blue or black ink on the back of each citizenship photo.

Photos are to be developed on white matte photograph paper with a signature strip at the bottom of the photo. Both the signature strip and background for the citizenship photo is to be a solid white color. The signature strip should be somewhere between 6mm and 10mm wide for the applicant to sign. The picture and signature strip should be one piece of white matte paper instead of two separate pieces of material. After the picture is complete it is necessary to sign the signature area in blue or black ink. If the applicant is less than fourteen years of age, the signature area should be left blank and the child's name printed on the back of each photo. Be certain to use a script signature and do not print your name in the signature area or the citizenship photo will be rejected. Insert the photos in the envelope provided and mail with the application. Do not glue, staple, paperclip or any way attach the photos to the actual application.

Privacy Policy |