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Title 8, Aliens and NationalityRelease 119-110

§1444 Photographs; Number

Title 8 › CHAPTER 12 — IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY › SUBCHAPTER III — NATIONALITY AND NATURALIZATION › Part II — Nationality Through Naturalization › § 1444

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

You must give three identical photographs when you apply. If you are applying for naturalization or citizenship, you must sign those photos. One photo will be attached to the original certificate and another will go on the duplicate copy sent to the Service. The same three-photo rule also applies to seven other kinds of immigration or citizenship papers, such as records of lawful permanent residence, certificates of derivative citizenship, naturalization or citizenship certificates (including replacements and special certificates), name-change certificates for naturalized citizens, and declarations of intention. For those papers, one photo is attached to the certificate the Attorney General issues and one to the copy the Service keeps.

Full Legal Text

Title 8, §1444

Aliens and Nationality, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Three identical photographs of the applicant shall be signed by and furnished by each applicant for naturalization or citizenship. One of such photographs shall be affixed by the Attorney General to the original certificate of naturalization issued to the naturalized citizen and one to the duplicate certificate of naturalization required to be forwarded to the Service.
(b)Three identical photographs of the applicant shall be furnished by each applicant for—
(1)a record of lawful admission for permanent residence to be made under section 1259 of this title;
(2)a certificate of derivative citizenship;
(3)a certificate of naturalization or of citizenship;
(4)a special certificate of naturalization;
(5)a certificate of naturalization or of citizenship, in lieu of one lost, mutilated, or destroyed;
(6)a new certificate of citizenship in the new name of any naturalized citizen who, subsequent to naturalization, has had his name changed by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or by marriage; and
(7)a declaration of intention.
One such photograph shall be affixed to each such certificate issued by the Attorney General and one shall be affixed to the copy of such certificate retained by the Service.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 103–416 substituted “1259” for “1259(a)”. 1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–649 substituted “applicant” for “petitioner” after “by each”, and “Attorney General” for “clerk of the court”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1994 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–416 effective as if included in the enactment of the Immigration Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101–649, see section 219(dd) of Pub. L. 103–416, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title. Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and

Transfer of Functions

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service,

Transfer of Functions

, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

8 U.S.C. § 1444

Title 8, Aliens and Nationality

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110