Semi-Approval...Need help Please!

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Ok... so here's the deal. I applied in July for ROC. I knew my son would not have to do Bio, I did get the notice so I went for mine.

I just got my approval notice dated April 13th this week, and nothing for my 8 year old son (they always come together, any mail we get from USCIS) So I knew something was up.

I called and got to speak to an agent who told me my son is still pending because they require two passport photos of him. I did not think this was a requirement when I filed my 751 as I was under the impression that they use his AOS stats..

So fast forward to the present, I was told to make an InfoPass appmnt and take the two passport photos with me and he would be approved.

My question is, that I have never had much experience with US passport photos. I am taking them tmrw, do they need to be notarized on the back? I forgot to ask the agent as I was rushed off the phone.

Does anyone know how US passport type photos work? I only have experience with Canadian photos where the place that takes the photos stamps them on the back and you get them notarized. When I called the photo place, they had no idea what type of stamp I was talking about.

I don't want to take any chances, so I will get them notarized, but does anyone have any info to provide? Does the person notarizing stamp them? And do I just take my son with me with his ID? He's only 8 years old.

My appmnt is Tuesday and I want to be prepared.

Thanks

[Milan&Pam 4]

Ok... so here's the deal. I applied in July for ROC. I knew my son would not have to do Bio, I did get the notice so I went for mine.

I just got my approval notice dated April 13th this week, and nothing for my 8 year old son (they always come together, any mail we get from USCIS) So I knew something was up.

I called and got to speak to an agent who told me my son is still pending because they require two passport photos of him. I did not think this was a requirement when I filed my 751 as I was under the impression that they use his AOS stats..

So fast forward to the present, I was told to make an InfoPass appmnt and take the two passport photos with me and he would be approved.

My question is, that I have never had much experience with US passport photos. I am taking them tmrw, do they need to be notarized on the back? I forgot to ask the agent as I was rushed off the phone.

Does anyone know how US passport type photos work? I only have experience with Canadian photos where the place that takes the photos stamps them on the back and you get them notarized. When I called the photo place, they had no idea what type of stamp I was talking about.

I don't want to take any chances, so I will get them notarized, but does anyone have any info to provide? Does the person notarizing stamp them? And do I just take my son with me with his ID? He's only 8 years old.

My appmnt is Tuesday and I want to be prepared.

Thanks

No they do not need to be notarized. Go to this website for the photo requirements; http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html. However, ANY place that takes passport photos should know this information. Good luck!

[DaniG 3]

No they do not need to be notarized. Go to this website for the photo requirements; http://travel.state....oreq_5333.html. However, ANY place that takes passport photos should know this information. Good luck!

Just go to a Wallgreens and tell them you need passport pics.

[HeatDeath 430]

Also, reread the AOS or N-400 instructions for how USCIS likes passport photos. From the I-485 instructions:

4. Photos

You must submit two identical color photographs of yourself taken within 30 days of the filing of this application. The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched.

Passport-style photos must be 2" x 2." The photos must be in color with full face, frontal view on a white to off-white background. Head height should measure 1" to 1 3/8" from top of hair to bottom of chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8" to 1 3/8" from bottom of photo. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing a headdress as required by a religious order of which you are a member. Using pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number) on the back of the photo.

Yeah, any Walgreens or Walmart will know most of that stuff (except the A# part, which is all you have to add to the photos. No notarizing necessary.) and will be able to produce photos to USCIS specifications. (The painful thing is trying to get Walgreens to produce passport photos to Canadian specifications, which are totally different. But for USCIS, they'll be fine.)

Some older instructions and guides mention notarizing requirements for various documents you submit to USCIS or the Consulates, but that's really all in the past and outdated. I've never had to notarize anything from my I-129F all the way to now.

[HeatDeath 430]

FYI, Passport Canada no longer need the photos notarized either (unless by notarized you mean just stamped by the photographer and signed by you). They are, however, very fussy about there being no brightness variations in the background, and the specs for photo size and head size and position are radically different from the US specifications.

The machine Walgreens uses to print out the photos has a Canadian specs template, so it can frame the picture properly (though it may take the employee a few times to take a picture of you from the right distance with enough headroom so the photo will scale into the Canadian template properly - they're obviously much more used to the US specs) but they can only cut the photos to 2" x 2", which is wrong for Canada and will get your photos refused. I just had them give me the one sheet with both photos on it, and I cut it myself to get it to the size Canada likes.

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Thank you for all the info!

I went and got them, and all I have to say is that my Walgreens is useless and they are not qualified! I was there for an hour! And they tried to send me home with out of focus grainy pics! Worst experience ever! I think my location was a one off... Anyways I got the pics notarized just in case... I will also write his info on the back. Didn't want to take any chances, plus TD bank across the street from Walgreens notarizes for free.

So I have my infopass Tues... Fingers crossed its easy breezy and they put his card into production. If I got approved there really should be no issue for him.

Wish me luck!

[Marina-Del 10]

They most definitely do NOT need to be notarized. Sorry for your experience at Walgreens. I've never had any trouble at CVS

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Thanks Marina... I know! It was def not the norm im sure. The funny thing is that my husband wanted to use an app he has on his iPhone that takes passport photos an he used it for his passport with no problems. I told him no way! And that I was not taking any chances and going to Walgreens... Lol what a mistake! An hour of them retaking and retaking... Blurry and then the head was not centered... It was so frustrating! The notary part was easy so I don't regret the extra step... Just walk right in to TD bank and they do it on the spot.... For free.

My son also wears glasses and I wasn't sure if they allow eye wear... Passport requirements says they can wear them, so I also took one photo with and one without. Lol..

I'm sure I did over kill but I don't want to come home with an RFE...

The funny thing is, they never even sent us an RFE... I had to call to find out he was in limbo with additional requirements... I'm sure they are super busy... I'm just happy to have an infopass so soon and get it done

[Kirsten UK 2]

Has anyone else had to send passport photo's for their K2? I don't recall having sent any with my applications...

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Has anyone else had to send passport photo's for their K2? I don't recall having sent any with my applications...

Not sure...but I sure hope they are not making me do this for no reason lol... It's a bit of a hassle taking my son into the city. I will confirm with the agent at my infopass appmnt..that it is standard... we will see. I will pass on any info I get for future reference.

[babygirl1 0]

Ok... so here's the deal. I applied in July for ROC. I knew my son would not have to do Bio, I did get the notice so I went for mine.

I just got my approval notice dated April 13th this week, and nothing for my 8 year old son (they always come together, any mail we get from USCIS) So I knew something was up.

I called and got to speak to an agent who told me my son is still pending because they require two passport photos of him. I did not think this was a requirement when I filed my 751 as I was under the impression that they use his AOS stats..

So fast forward to the present, I was told to make an InfoPass appmnt and take the two passport photos with me and he would be approved.

My question is, that I have never had much experience with US passport photos. I am taking them tmrw, do they need to be notarized on the back? I forgot to ask the agent as I was rushed off the phone.

Does anyone know how US passport type photos work? I only have experience with Canadian photos where the place that takes the photos stamps them on the back and you get them notarized. When I called the photo place, they had no idea what type of stamp I was talking about.

I don't want to take any chances, so I will get them notarized, but does anyone have any info to provide? Does the person notarizing stamp them? And do I just take my son with me with his ID? He's only 8 years old.

My appmnt is Tuesday and I want to be prepared.

Thanks

Please keep us posted on your outcome. I filed for my 8 year old daughter and my ROC and am still pending (July filer). Like your scenario, I did the biometrics and she did not. I have a feeling I will end up in the same situation as you with needing to get photos for her.

[Cino 5]

Please keep us posted on your outcome. I filed for my 8 year old daughter and my ROC and am still pending (July filer). Like your scenario, I did the biometrics and she did not. I have a feeling I will end up in the same situation as you with needing to get photos for her.

FYI, the children under 14 does not have to do biometrics anyway.

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Well, I wish I had a more definitive update for people interested. But in typical USCIS fashion, there was no real clarity lol..

I showed up to my InfoPass and advised her that I was advised by an agent on the phone that my file indicated that I had to bring two photos in for my son. She was confused saying that she didn't see anything of such nature on his file and his status appeared to show 'approved' lol... I was ready to hit my head on the wall... $25 later in photos and parking...a long drive down there and such circus like activity to find out he was approved.

I am not going to complain as I am happy we got approvals, but man what a pain. She informed me that she was not aware of a need for photos for the 8 year old...

Oh well.. and to add insult to injury, I get home and check my mail and I had his approval letter lol...

Good luck to everyone else

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Hi Poprocks! Nice to see you around again

That's just crazy. I can't believe they would make you do all that for no reason. Congrats on the approvals!

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Hi Poprocks! Nice to see you around again

That's just crazy. I can't believe they would make you do all that for no reason. Congrats on the approvals!

Hey girl!!!! Long time!!!! How is everything?

I know right? I'm not that bothered...I got an approval out of it lol... Now if I went home with an RFE...mama would not be happy! HAHA!

You doing citizenship? Or just chilling where you're at?