Passport Photo Maker

US Passport Photo Requirements: Complete Guide 2026

Taking a passport photo that meets all U.S. Department of State requirements can feel overwhelming. With strict rules about size, background, facial expression, and even accessories, it is easy to end up with a rejected application. This guide walks you through every official requirement so you can get it right the first time — whether you take the photo at home or visit a professional service.

Official US Passport Photo Size Requirements

The U.S. Department of State requires passport photos to be exactly 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). Your head must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. The photo must be taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance.

If you are submitting a printed photo, it should be printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. The image must not be digitally altered to change your appearance in any way.

Background and Lighting Requirements

Your passport photo must have a plain white or off-white background. No patterns, textures, or other colors are accepted. Shadows on the background or on your face will lead to rejection, so proper lighting is essential.

Use even, front-facing lighting to illuminate your face uniformly. Natural daylight near a window works well, but avoid direct sunlight that creates harsh shadows. If you are taking the photo at home, stand at least a few feet in front of a white wall to minimize shadow cast behind you.

Facial Expression Rules

The State Department requires a neutral facial expression with both eyes open and mouth closed. A natural, relaxed expression is ideal. Exaggerated smiles, frowns, or squinting will result in the photo being rejected.

You must face the camera directly with your full face visible. Tilting or turning your head to one side is not allowed. Both ears do not need to be visible, but your full face from the hairline to the chin must be clearly shown.

Glasses Policy

Since November 1, 2016, the U.S. Department of State no longer accepts passport photos where the applicant is wearing glasses. This applies to all types of glasses, including prescription eyeglasses, reading glasses, and tinted lenses.

The only exception is if you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons. In that case, you must provide a signed statement from your doctor explaining why you need to keep your glasses on. Even with a medical exception, the glasses must not create glare or reflections that obscure your eyes.

What to Wear

There are no strict dress code requirements for U.S. passport photos, but there are a few important rules to keep in mind:

  • No uniforms: You cannot wear a military, airline, or any other type of official uniform.
  • No hats or head coverings: Headwear is generally not permitted unless worn daily for religious purposes. If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, your full face must still be visible from the hairline to the chin.
  • Avoid white clothing: Since the background must be white, wearing white clothing can cause your outline to blend into the background.

Digital Photo Requirements

If you are submitting your passport application online or need to upload a digital photo, the image must meet these specifications:

  • File format: JPEG (.jpg)
  • File size: Between 20 KB and 240 KB (for DS-160 visa applications) or up to 10 MB for online passport renewals
  • Dimensions: Between 600 x 600 pixels and 1200 x 1200 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: Square (1:1)
  • Color depth: 24-bit color (standard RGB)
  • Resolution: Minimum 300 pixels per inch recommended

The photo must not be digitally enhanced, filtered, or retouched. Automated systems at the State Department scan uploads and will flag images that appear to have been manipulated.

How to Take a Passport Photo at Home

Taking your own passport photo at home is entirely possible with a smartphone and the right setup. Here is how to do it:

  1. Find a white wall or hang a white sheet as your background. Make sure it is smooth and wrinkle-free.
  2. Set up lighting by facing a window with natural light or using two lamps placed on either side of the camera to eliminate shadows.
  3. Position your camera at eye level and stand about 4 feet away. Use the rear camera of your phone for better quality.
  4. Use a tripod or have someone else take the photo. Selfies are difficult to frame correctly and often introduce distortion.
  5. Take multiple shots with a neutral expression, eyes open, and mouth closed.
  6. Crop and resize the image to 2x2 inches at 300 DPI (which equals 600x600 pixels at minimum).

You can use our US passport photo tool to automatically check your photo against official requirements and resize it to the correct dimensions.

Where to Get a Passport Photo Taken Professionally

If you prefer a professional service, many retail and pharmacy chains offer passport photo services at affordable prices:

  • CVS Pharmacy: Offers passport photos for around $16.99. Photos are printed while you wait.
  • Walgreens: Provides passport photos for approximately $16.99 with same-day service.
  • Walmart: One of the most affordable options at around $7.44 for two printed passport photos.
  • USPS (Post Office): Many post office locations offer passport photo services for about $15.00.
  • FedEx Office: Available at most FedEx Office locations for around $14.95.
  • AAA: Members can sometimes get free or discounted passport photos at AAA offices.
  • Costco: Some locations offer passport photo printing for as low as $5.00 (membership required).

Professional services generally ensure that the photo meets all official requirements, but it is still a good idea to double-check the photo before submitting your application.

Common Reasons Passport Photos Get Rejected

Knowing the most common rejection reasons can help you avoid delays:

  1. Incorrect dimensions: The photo is not exactly 2x2 inches, or the head size falls outside the 1 to 1 3/8 inch range.
  2. Shadows on face or background: Uneven lighting creates visible shadows that obscure facial features.
  3. Wearing glasses: Despite the rule being in effect since 2016, this remains one of the most common mistakes.
  4. Red eye or glare: Flash reflections in the eyes or glare from lighting equipment.
  5. Blurry or low-resolution image: The photo is out of focus or the resolution is too low for the required dimensions.
  6. Incorrect background: The background is not white or contains visible objects, patterns, or textures.
  7. Improper expression or head position: Smiling with an open mouth, looking away from the camera, or tilting the head.
  8. Photo is too old: The image was taken more than six months ago and does not match your current appearance.
  9. Digital manipulation: Any retouching, filtering, or altering of the original image.
  10. Overexposure or underexposure: The photo is too bright (washed out) or too dark.

Tips for a Successful Passport Photo

  • Take the photo during the day to take advantage of natural lighting.
  • Wear a dark-colored top to contrast with the white background.
  • Remove glasses, headphones, earbuds, and any wireless earpieces.
  • Pull hair away from your face so your full face and hairline are visible.
  • If taking the photo at home, review it on a computer screen before printing to check for issues.

Next Steps

Ready to create your U.S. passport photo? Use our free US passport photo tool to take a photo at home, verify it meets all requirements, and download it in the correct size and format. No registration required, and your photo is processed entirely on your device for complete privacy.