do I need photos for my naturalization interview?

[mwert 6]

I see conflicting information online.

My interview is coming up two days from now. Do I need or not two passport photos with me? thank you!

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

Yes, you do.

[Adujarric 67]

22 minutes ago, mwert said:

I see conflicting information online.

My interview is coming up two days from now. Do I need or not two passport photos with me? thank you!

Im not sure if every place is different but for my naturalization interview i didnt have to bring no photos & they ended up using the picture taken during my biometrics. 

[Dashinka 24,849]

Unless you are filing from overseas, there is no requirement for you to submit passport photos with the application or take them to the interview.  They will use a photo taken during a biometrics appointment for the naturalization certificate.

 

Good Luck!

[mwert 6]

18 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Unless you are filing from overseas, there is no requirement for you to submit passport photos with the application or take them to the interview.  They will use a photo taken during a biometrics appointment for the naturalization certificate.

 

Good Luck!

I didn't have a biometrics appointment. Apparently they reused something

[Dashinka 24,849]

8 hours ago, mwert said:

I didn't have a biometrics appointment. Apparently they reused something

What visa did you use to come to the US? 

[mwert 6]

3 hours ago, Dashinka said:

What visa did you use to come to the US? 

L1

[Dashinka 24,849]

59 minutes ago, mwert said:

L1

So you went through Adjustment of Status to get your GC?  Then if you did not have a biometrics appointment for the N400/Naturalization, they will re-use the data from the AOS biometrics.

[mwert 6]

8 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

So you went through Adjustment of Status to get your GC?  Then if you did not have a biometrics appointment for the N400/Naturalization, they will re-use the data from the AOS biometrics.

Yes. But my AOS was seven years ago. Surely my photos from that time are not up to date? 

[Dashinka 24,849]

1 hour ago, mwert said:

Yes. But my AOS was seven years ago. Surely my photos from that time are not up to date? 

Yeah, that is a bit of a stretch.  I am a little surprised they waived the N400 biometrics, but if you want to feel safe, take a couple of passport pictures with you.

 

Good Luck!

[mwert 6]

10 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Yeah, that is a bit of a stretch.  I am a little surprised they waived the N400 biometrics, but if you want to feel safe, take a couple of passport pictures with you.

 

Good Luck!

What do you mean by "feel safe"? Is there a chance that I won't be recommended for approval just based on not having photos?

[Dashinka 24,849]

17 minutes ago, mwert said:

What do you mean by "feel safe"? Is there a chance that I won't be recommended for approval just based on not having photos?

I don't see any requirements for photos to be taken to the interview.  USCIS will either be using your old AOS photos, or maybe they will conduct a biometrics at the N400 interview.  That being said, if you feel like you are getting conflicting recommendations, then err on the side of caution and take them with you.  I don't think USCIS will reject your application.

 

Good Luck!

[JeanneAdil 6,681]

29 minutes ago, mwert said:

What do you mean by "feel safe"? Is there a chance that I won't be recommended for approval just based on not having photos?

no,  that means "feel save" by taking photos with u in case the office  are not equited to do the biometrics

but i would think if they need photos for your naturalization certificate and the fingerprints,  they could send u ring to another office to get them done

afterall u can't bring your fingerprints for them to enter into computer

 

looks like a bio appointment was skipped or this office does it at time of interview

 

[Mike E 11,742]

16 hours ago, mwert said:

I see conflicting information online.

My interview is coming up two days from now. Do I need or not two passport photos with me? thank you!

Yes bring photos.  They cost less than 50 cents to print at drug store.  I print a selfie on a 4x6 standard photo and then cut them out.   
 

My experience, which is not unique and might be field office dependent is to bring passport photos.  
 

My N-400 interview letter clearly said do not bring passport photos.  
 

And so I did not.  
 

When I got to the interview the IO asked me for my passport photos.  
 

“huh?”

 

IO: “My digital camera isn’t working today, so I need photos”

 

So the next morning I brought photos.  
 

A month later I had my naturalization oath ceremony and my certificate used a photo I’d never seen before.  I realized it was from my biometrics.  
 

It was a mystery until my wife’s lawyer cleared it up for me. The machine that prints naturalization certificates is engineered to make just two attempts with the same photo image.  So because paper jams, dried up ink, and other malfunctions are frequent, IOs want a backup pair of photos.  
 

Since then, at my field office (San Jose), before each interview biometrics are taken at a separate station instead of inside the interview room, so I suspect photos are not needed at N-400 interviews.  But my wife will be taking photos to her N-400 interview anyway in hopefully a couple years.  

Edited September 14, 2021 by Mike E

[Mike E 11,742]

2 hours ago, mwert said:

Yes. But my AOS was seven years ago. Surely my photos from that time are not up to date? 

Possibly they plan to take photos at your N-400 interview.  Assuming the equipment is working.  Bring photos.  If they don’t collect them, use them for your passport.  

Edited September 14, 2021 by Mike E