Photos for I-130 and I-485

[Nini]

Apparently you need one passport-type picture for the I-130 (as well as one of the US spouse who's petitioning for you) and two for the I-485.

Do you still need the three when you are filing conjointly, or would the two for the I-485 be enough?

[TrueBrit]

Photos

Nini

The application for the I-130 and I-485 will spell out exactly how many photos are required for each application of the sponsor and the beneficiary. If they ask for two copies, give them two copies. When we made up our applications we punched a couple of holes in a clear plastic sealable ziploc freezer/sandwich bag and just included the photos in there so they were easy to see and difficult to lose from the file.

I found the most reliable place for passport photos was the local Sears portrait studio. They'll take several digital pics, let you chose the one you like and then make sure it is sized within the 2" chin to top of head requirements that the USCIS and DOS have for passport photos before printing as many as you want. I think they charge about $15-20 for each set of photos.

The USCIS will take another set of photos of you anyway during the biometric process that they then use for the Permanent Resident Card.

[Nini]

Thanks a lot, again!

One more misleading piece of information given by the attorney we talked to... he said we would need only two, but this seemed strange compared to the three demanded by the USCIS. I am certainly glad we are not processing this with him!

I went to the local Post Office to take the first two, will probably go there for the next two. They turned out good and the guy obviously knows what he is doing.

Take care and enjoy your new status and peace of mind!

Nini