USCIS Form I-485 Photo Requirements
Your green card application requires 2 identical 2×2 inch photos — plus your name and A-Number written in pencil on the back. Get this right the first time to avoid an RFE that delays your case.
Write your name + A-Number on the back in pencil or felt pen.
The instructions say to use a pencil or felt pen. Press lightly so the text does not emboss through to the front of the photo. Write your full legal name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number) on the back of both photos. If you do not have an A-Number yet, write your name only.
I-485 Photo Requirements — Full Checklist
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 2×2 inches (51×51mm) |
| Quantity | 2 identical photos per form |
| Background | White or off-white |
| Color | Full color |
| Expression | Neutral — no smile |
| Eyes | Open, looking at camera |
| Glasses | Not mentioned in the instructions |
| Head covering | Religious only — full face visible |
| Recency | Taken recently |
| Back labeling | Name + A-Number, pencil or felt pen |
| Photo paper | Thin paper, glossy finish, unmounted |
How Many Photos Does a Typical I-485 Package Need?
Note
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Common I-485 Photo Mistakes That Cause RFEs
Form I-485 Photo FAQ
What are the photo requirements for Form I-485?
Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) requires 2 identical color passport-style photos taken recently. Specifications from the instructions (edition 09/18/26): 2×2 inch (51×51mm), white to off-white background, printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, unmounted and unretouched, full face and frontal view, head bare unless you wear headwear required by your religion, head height 1 to 1⅜ inches (about 50–69% of the photo). Use a pencil or felt pen to lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of each photo.
How do I write my name and A-Number on the I-485 photos?
Using a pencil or felt pen, as the instructions say, lightly print your full name and A-Number (Alien Registration Number) on the back of both photos. Write gently — too much pressure can emboss the writing and show through to the front of the photo. If you do not have an A-Number yet (common for some first-time applications), write your full name only.
Can I use the same photos for multiple USCIS forms submitted together?
No — USCIS requires separate photos for each form that requests photos. If you are filing I-485 with concurrent forms like I-765 (Employment Authorization) and I-131 (Advance Parole), each form requires its own set of photos. For a typical I-485 package, you may need 4–6 total photos (2 per form). Use the same photo session for all photos to ensure they are consistent and recent.
Is the I-485 photo the same as a US passport photo?
Close: both are 2×2 inches with a white background and a head height of 1 to 1⅜ inches. The differences: the I-485 asks for 2 identical photos taken recently on thin glossy paper, with your name and A-Number written on the back in pencil or felt pen; a US passport takes 1 photo from the last 6 months, matte or glossy, and bans glasses unless you have a doctor's signed statement (the USCIS instructions don't mention glasses). Glossy prints from a passport photo session work for the I-485 once you label the back.
Can I wear religious clothing or ethnic attire in an I-485 photo?
Yes, for headwear your religion requires. The I-485 instructions say your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by your religious denomination (for example a hijab, turban or kippah). Keep your full face visible. US passport photos are stricter: they need a signed statement that the head covering is traditional religious attire customarily or required to be worn continuously in public.
What happens if my I-485 photos are incorrect?
If your I-485 photos do not meet USCIS specifications, USCIS will issue an RFE (Request for Evidence) or an NOA (Notice of Action) requesting compliant photos. This delays your case. Common photo problems: a background that isn't white to off-white, a photo that wasn't taken recently, a head too small or too large for the 1 to 1⅜ inch range, matte or thick paper instead of thin glossy paper, a missing name or A-Number on the back, or two photos that are not identical.
How many photos do I need for Form I-485?
Form I-485 itself requires 2 identical photos taken recently. If you file an I-765 and an I-131 with it, each of those needs its own 2, so 6 in total. You don't need photos at your biometrics appointment: USCIS takes your photo there. The instructions don't ask you to bring photos to the interview; keeping 2 spare prints from the same session is optional.
Can I take my I-485 photos at home?
Yes. The I-485 instructions don't require a professional photographer; the photos have to meet the specs. Use a white wall as the background, ensure good front-facing lighting with no shadows, take the photo at eye level, keep a neutral expression, and take off glasses. The photo must be printed as a 2×2 inch physical photo on thin glossy paper — you cannot submit a digital-only photo for I-485. Print at a pharmacy photo kiosk using a correctly cropped digital file, then write your name and A-Number in pencil or felt pen on the back of each copy. Since December 12, 2025, the photo on the green card itself is one USCIS takes at biometrics.