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United States Passport Photo Requirements

Sample Photo
Photo Print Size:
2×2 inch
Head size:
The head should be 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Background color:
White
Resolution:
≥300 dpi
Paper type:
Matte
Digital Photo Size:
600×600 pixels

Don't worry about the size requirements. Our tool will automatically create correct United States Passport photos for you.

Renewing/Applying using a paper form:


Photo Submission Guidelines

  • The photo must be recent (taken within the last 6 months).
  • Submit one color photograph.
  • Ensure the image clearly shows your full face.
  • Do not digitally alter your photo using software, phone apps, filters, or artificial intelligence tools.
  • Face the camera directly, with your head straight and not tilted.
  • Remove eyeglasses before taking the photo.
  • Use a plain white or off-white background that is free of shadows, textures, or lines.

 Lighting and Shadow-Free Appearance

  • The photo must be clear, accurately represent natural skin tones, and be free of shadows.
  • Use uniform lighting to illuminate your face evenly
  • Avoid overhead or side lighting that casts shadows
  • Ensure lighting is not too bright (overexposed) or too dim (underexposed)

Photo Dimensions and Head Placement

  • The head must be centered and proportionally sized within the frame.
  • Photo Requirements: The photo must measure 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), with the head height between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm), centered vertically and horizontally.

Image Resolution and Print Quality

  • The photo must be sharp, with no visible pixels or printer dots, and printed on high-quality glossy or matte photo paper.
  • Do not submit photocopies or digitally-scanned photos.
  • Do not submit a damaged photo with holes, creases, or smudges.

Facial Expression and Body Positioning

  • Face the camera directly
  • Maintain a neutral expression
  • Eyes must be open and clearly visible
  • Mouth closed

Clothing, Headwear, and Eyewear Guidelines

  • Full face must be clearly visible
  • No shadows or clothing should block the face
  • Hats/head coverings allowed only for religious or medical reasons

Clothing Restrictions

  • Do not wear:

    - Uniforms

    - Clothing that resembles a uniform

    - Camouflage clothing

    - Everyday clothing is required.

Hats and Head Coverings

  • Remove all hats and head coverings unless worn for religious or medical reasons.
  • If wearing a head covering:

For religious purposes: Submit a signed statement confirming that the head covering is worn daily in public as part of your faith.

For medical purposes: Submit a signed doctor’s statement confirming the head covering is worn for medical reasons.

Head coverings must not cast shadows or obscure any part of the face.

Remove all eyewear before taking your photo, including:

  • Eyeglasses
  • Sunglasses
  • Tinted glasses

If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, include a signed letter from your doctor with your application.

Your full face must be clearly visible: no shadows, reflections, or obstructions from glasses or accessories.

Accessories

Not allowed:

  • Headphones
  • Wireless hands-free devices
  • Face coverings or medical masks

Allowed:

  • Jewelry and facial piercings if they do not hide or block any part of your face

 Background Requirements

  • Background color: White or off-white
  • No shadows, textures, objects, or lines

If you are renewing online, you need to submit a digital photo and need to follow the digital photo requirements.

Dimensions

  • Your photo must be at least 600 x 600 pixels. 

Color

  • The photo must be in full color. Black-and-white photos are not accepted.

Format

  • Your file must be in JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, or HEIF format.
  • File Size The file must be between 54 KB and 10 MB.

Compression Use the highest quality camera settings to capture a high-resolution image. When saving or emailing your photo, select the largest file size or highest quality.
Do not send the image via text message, as this may compress the file and lower quality.


 

Printed vs Digital U.S. Passport Photo Requirements

 

The photo you need depends on how you are applying or renewing your passport.

 

Application type

Photo you need

Main requirements

Paper passport application

Printed passport photo

2 x 2 inches, printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper

Passport renewal by mail

Printed passport photo

One recent color photo attached to your paper form

Online passport renewal

Digital passport photo

Original digital image saved on your device; JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, or HEIF; 54 KB to 10 MB

 

Printed U.S. passport photo

Use a printed 2 x 2 inch color photo if you are applying with a paper form or renewing by mail. The photo must be printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. Do not submit a photocopy, a damaged photo, or a photo with visible printer dots.

 

Digital U.S. passport photo 

Use a digital photo if you are renewing your U.S. passport online. The image should be saved on the device you use for your application. Do not scan a printed photo or take a picture of a printed photo to create a digital file. Use the highest quality camera setting and avoid sending the photo through text message, which can reduce image quality.

 

How to Take a U.S. Passport Photo at Home 

You can take your U.S. passport photo at home with a phone or digital camera. Follow these steps before uploading your photo: 

  1. Stand several feet away from a plain white or off-white wall.
  2. Use even lighting on your face and background.
  3. Face the camera directly and keep your head straight.
  4. Keep both eyes open and visible.
  5. Use a neutral expression or natural smile, with your mouth closed or without showing teeth.
  6. Remove glasses, hats, headphones, masks, and anything that covers your face.
  7. Ask someone else to take the photo or use a tripod; avoid close-up selfies.
  8. Take the photo at the highest quality setting available.
  9. Upload the original photo and crop it to the required 2x2 format.

 Do not use filters, retouching tools, beauty mode or AI image editing. 

 

How Our U.S. Passport Photo Tool Works 

Our US passport photo tool helps you prepare a U.S. passport photo in only 3 steps: 

  1. Upload your photo
    Choose a recent color photo, make sure the photo is clear and in high resolution.
  2. Crop to passport size
    Our US passport photo editor will remove background, adjust light and make sure your head is centered and correctly positioned for a 2 x 2 inch U.S. passport photo.
  3. Download your photo
    Save the final image for printing or digital passport renewal, depending on your application type.

 Review the official U.S. Department of State passport photo rules.

 

Common Reasons U.S. Passport Photos Are Rejected 

U.S. passport photos are often rejected because the image does not meet size, quality, background, or pose requirements. Avoid these common mistakes: 

  • The head is too large, too small, or not centered.
  • The photo is blurry, grainy, pixelated, or low resolution.
  • The background is not plain white or off-white.
  • There are shadows on the face or background.
  • The applicant is wearing eyeglasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses.
  • The face is partly covered by hair, a scarf, mask, hat, or clothing.
  • The applicant is looking down, looking sideways, or tilting their head.
  • The mouth is open or teeth are clearly visible.
  • The photo has filters, retouching, red-eye correction, AI edits, or background replacement.
  • A printed photo was scanned or photographed for online renewal.
  • The file size or format does not match online renewal requirements.

 

If your photo has any of these issues, take a new photo before submitting your application.

 

What to Wear for a U.S. Passport Photo? 

Wear normal everyday clothing for your U.S. passport photo. Do not wear a uniform, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage clothing.

 

Can I wear glasses? 

No. Remove eyeglasses, sunglasses, and tinted glasses before taking your passport photo. If you cannot remove glasses for medical reasons, you may need to include a signed doctor’s statement with your application.

 

Can I wear a hat or head covering? 

Remove hats and head coverings unless you wear one daily for religious reasons or need it for medical reasons. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not create shadows or hide your hairline, forehead, eyes, cheeks, chin, or jawline.

 

Can I wear jewelry or facial piercings? 

Jewelry and facial piercings are allowed if they do not hide or block any part of your face and do not cause reflections or shadows.

 

Can I wear headphones or earbuds? 

No. Remove headphones, earbuds, wireless hands-free devices, and similar accessories before taking your photo.

 

U.S. Passport Photo Rules for Babies and Children 

Children and babies also need passport photos that meet U.S. requirements. The photo must show the child’s face clearly, with no other person visible in the image.

 

Tips for baby passport photos 

  • Lay the baby on a plain white or off-white sheet.
  • Make sure there are no toys, pacifiers, car seats, hands, or other people in the photo.
  • Use soft, even lighting to avoid shadows.
  • Make sure the baby’s full face is visible.
  • The baby should face the camera as much as possible.
  • For infants, the eyes do not need to be fully open. 

For older children, both eyes should be open and visible, and the child should face the camera directly.

 

How to Print a 2x2 U.S. Passport Photo 

If you are applying with a paper form or renewing by mail, print your passport photo at 2 x 2 inches. Use matte or glossy photo-quality paper. Do not use regular office paper.

 

Before submitting the printed photo, check that:

 The photo measures exactly 2 x 2 inches.

  • Your head measures 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head.
  • The image is sharp and not pixelated.
  • There are no holes, creases, smudges, or stains.
  • The background is plain white or off-white.
  • The photo has not been digitally altered. 

You can print the downloaded photo at home with photo-quality paper or use a local photo printing service. Make sure the final printed image is not stretched, compressed, or cropped incorrectly.

 

U.S. Passport Photo FAQ

 

What size is a U.S. passport photo?

A printed U.S. passport photo must be 2 x 2 inches, or 51 x 51 mm. The head should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.

 

Can I take a U.S. passport photo with my phone? 

Yes. You can take a U.S. passport photo with a phone if the image is clear, properly lit, in color, and taken in front of a plain white or off-white background. Use the highest quality camera setting and avoid filters or retouching.

 

Can I use a selfie for a U.S. passport photo? 

A close-up selfie is not recommended because it can distort your face and make your head size incorrect. Ask another person to take the photo or use a tripod so you can stand several feet away from the camera.

 

What background is required for a U.S. passport photo? 

Use a plain white or off-white background with no shadows, texture, lines, or objects. 

 

Can I smile in a U.S. passport photo? 

Use a neutral expression or natural smile. Avoid showing teeth, opening your mouth, or making an exaggerated expression.

 

Can I wear glasses in a U.S. passport photo? 

No. Remove eyeglasses, sunglasses, and tinted glasses before taking your photo unless you have a documented medical reason.

 

Can I wear makeup in a U.S. passport photo? 

Yes. Normal makeup is allowed if it does not hide or change your facial features. Avoid heavy makeup that changes your natural appearance.

 

Can I wear jewelry or facial piercings? 

Yes. Jewelry and facial piercings are allowed if they do not cover your face, create glare, or cast shadows.

 

Can I wear a hijab, turban, or religious head covering? 

Yes, if you wear it daily for religious reasons. Your full face must be visible, and the covering must not cast shadows or hide facial features.

 

Can I wear a hat in a U.S. passport photo? 

No. Hats are not allowed unless worn for documented religious or medical reasons.

 

What file format is accepted for online U.S. passport renewal? 

For online renewal, accepted digital photo formats include JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, and HEIF.

 

What file size is required for a digital U.S. passport photo? 

For online renewal, the digital photo file should be between 54 KB and 10 MB.

 

Can I scan a printed passport photo for online renewal? 

No. Do not scan a printed photo or take a picture of a printed photo for online renewal. Use an original digital photo.

 

How do I take a baby passport photo? 

Lay the baby on a plain white or off-white sheet, use even lighting, and make sure no other person, hand, toy, pacifier, or car seat appears in the photo. The baby’s face should be visible and facing the camera as much as possible.