Passport-style photos for N-400 package

[CanAmCharlotte 0]

I can't find this one particular bit of information on any of the websites that describe the photographs to be submitted with the N-400 application--should the place that takes the photograph put its stamp and date on the back? In Canada, passport pictures are not accepted unless this stamp is evident.

Thanks and have a great July 4th y'all!

[antda 13]

Hi CanAmCharlotte,

Yes, I know what you mean about the photographer's stamp on Canadian passport photos (and about the stupid guarrantor rule, but that's another story), as likewise, when I renewed my Canadian passport this year, it required such...

But....I took my Canadian sized photos for my Canadian passport in the USA...and the US photographer didn't have such a stamp and had no clue what that was until I showed them the Canadian passport application instructions. So in lieu of the non-existence US stamp, they just wrote in pen: their name, address, date, and the statement: I verify that this is a true likeness of...(as required by passport Canada). And needless to say, Passport Canada approved my US photos and I got my Canadian passport....

The bottom line: Apparently here in the USA they don't have such stamps (Do they even exist? I have yet to meet a US photographer that had such), as none is required for a US Passport, US Citizenship, or any stage of the US immigration processes. Therefore, you don't need the photographer's place and date stamp for the N-400 or otherwise.

Instead, this what is specifically required for the N-400 photographs, as mentioned on the "Instructions for N-400: Application for Naturalization" form:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/N-400ins.pdf (scroll down to page 5 of 7, under Step 2: General Requirements: Photographs)

Just go to any US photographer, ask for "2 US sized passport photos", submit those for the N-400, and that's sufficient enough on the photographer's end...

Lol...only in Canada that the government requires stamps and guarrantors...and have the nerve to charge twice as much ($100 for 5 years) for a passport too, compared to a US one, that is ($100 for 10 years)....grrr.....

Hope this helps. Good luck with the rest of your immigration journey too.

Happy 4th of July (Independence Day) and 1st of July (Canada Day) to you too!

Ant

I can't find this one particular bit of information on any of the websites that describe the photographs to be submitted with the N-400 application--should the place that takes the photograph put its stamp and date on the back? In Canada, passport pictures are not accepted unless this stamp is evident.

Thanks and have a great July 4th y'all!

Edited July 3, 2009 by AntandD

[antda 13]

P.S. Don't forget to: "Use pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and Alien Registration Number on the back of each photo", as required for the N-400 application too....

[CanAmCharlotte 0]

Thanks for your help eh?

[antda 13]

Hi CanAmCharlotte,

You're welcome...Glad to help you here....eh!...

Ant

P.S. How's the weather down in North Carolina?...Must be a lot warmer/hotter now! (lol..I went in May to visit family there, and I thought it was too warm for me then....Hey, do you also remember that "snowstorm" that they had there in March? 3-4 inches of snow and they shut the city down...rofl!... )

Thanks for your help eh?

Edited July 4, 2009 by AntandD