Whose residence decides whether N-600 needs photos, the parent's or the child's?

The child's. The instructions define "you" in the photo section as the person for whom the Certificate of Citizenship is sought, explicitly not the parent or guardian filing on their behalf. Photos are needed only if the child resides outside the United States.

What photos does an N-600 filed from abroad need?

Two identical 2x2 color prints of the child: full face, frontal view, glossy finish, unmounted, head bare unless religious headwear applies.

Sometimes required

N-600 photo requirements

Application for Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600)

Form N-600 requires photographs only if the person the certificate is for lives outside the United States, in which case two identical 2 x 2 inch color photos are needed.

When photos are needed

Only if the person the certificate is for resides outside the United States

Check my photo free

Failed the check, or starting from a phone picture? The N-600 photo maker corrects framing, dimensions, file size and background to this document's exact figures, previewed free.

The specification

N-600 photo specification
Number of photos	2
Printed size	2 x 2 inches, in color, full face, frontal view
Digital size	Not specified by the official source
Head height	1 to 1 3/8 inches, from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin
Eye position	1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches, from the top of the eyes to the bottom of the photo
Background	White to off-white
File format	Not specified by the official source
How recent	Taken recently. The form instructions give no specific number of days or months.

Editing and retouching

Photos submitted to USCIS must be unmounted and unretouched. Unretouched means the photos must not be edited or digitally enhanced.

USCIS, quoted from the official source

Questions about the N-600 photo

Whose residence decides whether N-600 needs photos, the parent's or the child's?: The child's. The instructions define "you" in the photo section as the person for whom the Certificate of Citizenship is sought, explicitly not the parent or guardian filing on their behalf. Photos are needed only if the child resides outside the United States.
What photos does an N-600 filed from abroad need?: Two identical 2x2 color prints of the child: full face, frontal view, glossy finish, unmounted, head bare unless religious headwear applies.

Verified against USCIS sources on 2026-08-04 · see every source we cite