Help - Passport size photo recommendations?

[Visitor User 253]

Which photo studio would you recommend?

Also, did you have to submit a copy of SSS?

[Visitor User 253]

So what will the photo taken at Biometric appointment be used for?

[Me and her 279]

On 9/29/2023 at 2:43 PM, Visitor User said:

Do you recommend a photo studio where they are more patient?

So skip the app and skip Walgreens/CVS and go to a photo studio where they are more patient?

I say skip the app.  Walgreens/CVS certainly great option.  If you are displeased, go to studio.  Your choice.  But an app, I wouldn't do it.  I'm sure CVS/Walgreens have an option to print or not.

[Visitor User 253]

35 minutes ago, Me and her said:

I say skip the app.  Walgreens/CVS certainly great option.  If you are displeased, go to studio.  Your choice.  But an app, I wouldn't do it.  I'm sure CVS/Walgreens have an option to print or not.

Why not go to photo studio directly? I could be wasting time and money at Walgreens/CVS if I am not satisfied. Photo studio also does appointment. CVS/Walgreens do print it for you with 2” by 2”.  

Edited October 1, 2023 by Visitor User

[Positive_Vibes 63]

On 9/29/2023 at 2:27 PM, IF-Mclean said:

Are pictures required for the citizenship application? I did not see that while I completed the online application.

No, they are not. 

[Positive_Vibes 63]

On 9/29/2023 at 3:35 PM, Visitor User said:

Yes they are because they go on the certificate.

No, they use the photo you took at your last biometric appointment. At least that's what they did for my certificate. It was the same photo as my GC. 

[Crazy Cat 41,844]

On 9/29/2023 at 5:35 PM, Visitor User said:

Yes they are because they go on the certificate.

Who told you that?  The N-400 does not require photos.  My wife's last biometric picture was used on her certificate.

Edited October 2, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[harry.st 62]

On 9/29/2023 at 3:18 PM, Crazy Cat said:

CVS and Walgreens use software to process passport photos.  That software sizes and checks photos for compliance.  They know what they are doing.  That's why they offer the service.

There was a passport office employee doing an AMA on reddit that said that Walgreens was their nightmare - they got it wrong all the time.

 

I went to the USPS (for pics only - will submit the application at the embassy in Athens). A lady took the pics w/ a hand-held Sony camera; they looked fine (have still not submitted an application, though, so am not sure about the final verdict).

Edited October 2, 2023 by harry.st

[Crazy Cat 41,844]

2 minutes ago, harry.st said:

There was a passport office employee doing an AMA on reddit that said that Walgreens was their nightmare - they got it wrong A LOT.

 

I went to the USPS (for pics only - will submit the application at the embassy in Athens). A lady took the pics w/ a hand-held Sony camera; they looked fine (have still not submitted an application, though, so am not sure about the final verdict).

We have used CVS for our passport photos.  No problem.  The passport agency we used will take pictures on request.....but their equipment was broken....so it's better to have passport quality pictures taken BEFORE the passport appointment, imo. 

[Visitor User 253]

5 hours ago, Positive_Vibes said:

No, they use the photo you took at your last biometric appointment. At least that's what they did for my certificate. It was the same photo as my GC. 

Oh ok. So we take the photos our selves for the U.S Passport only?

 

Will they do retakes for my next biometrics to make I am happy with the picture? I thought we have to do another biometrics picture for N-400?

[Visitor User 253]

5 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Who told you that?  The N-400 does not require photos.  My wife's last biometric picture was used on her certificate.

Right so the pictures we take at a studio will be for U.S Passport?

 

I will be taking another biometrics picture at my next appointment for N-400. 

5 hours ago, harry.st said:

There was a passport office employee doing an AMA on reddit that said that Walgreens was their nightmare - they got it wrong all the time.

 

I went to the USPS (for pics only - will submit the application at the embassy in Athens). A lady took the pics w/ a hand-held Sony camera; they looked fine (have still not submitted an application, though, so am not sure about the final verdict).

Where do you recommend I take the pictures?

[Me and her 279]

On 10/1/2023 at 12:18 PM, Visitor User said:

Why not go to photo studio directly? I could be wasting time and money at Walgreens/CVS if I am not satisfied. Photo studio also does appointment. CVS/Walgreens do print it for you with 2” by 2”.  

Great!  Congratulations, again!

[Crazy Cat 41,844]

11 hours ago, Visitor User said:

I will be taking another biometrics picture at my next appointment for N-400. 

Maybe. Maybe not.  USCIS has the option to re-use a previous picture.  It really isn't a big deal.  Unfollowing this thread.  Good luck.

Edited October 3, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Visitor User 253]

5 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Maybe. Maybe not.  USCIS has the option to re-use a previous picture.  It really isn't a big deal.  Unfollowing this thread.  Good luck.

I will be paying $85 for biometrics. That is what it says. So are you saying I won’t be getting another biometric picture? I did this last in 2018 for AOS.

 

Do we get to pick if they want to use old picture?

[Positive_Vibes 63]

21 hours ago, Visitor User said:

Oh ok. So we take the photos our selves for the U.S Passport only?

 

Will they do retakes for my next biometrics to make I am happy with the picture? I thought we have to do another biometrics picture for N-400?

Yes, the 2x2 photos you get done yourself is for the US Passport. I personally had it taken at CVS but the print quality was really bad so I decided to just have it taken at the USPS facility the same day I submitted my passport application and those photos came out perfect. 

 

As for the biometrics, that's completely up to USCIS if they need new photos or will just re-use your old one. They don't give you an option of which photo to use on the certificate. The last biometrics I did was in May of 2019 and that is the photo they used for my Naturalization Certificate that I received in June of 2023. So it was quite old but it didn't matter to me personally since I just have my certificate stored away.