United States Passport Photo

United States Passport Photo -- Complete Guide

The U.S. Department of State processes over 20 million passport applications annually, and photo-related issues remain the single largest cause of processing delays. According to State Department data, over 300,000 applications were rejected in 2024 primarily due to non-compliant photographs, with enforcement tightening significantly through 2025. The most consequential rule change in recent years was the glasses ban, effective November 1, 2016, which prohibits eyeglasses in all passport and visa photos except in documented medical emergencies.

The current requirements are defined on travel.state.gov and apply to all U.S. passport book and passport card applications, whether submitted by mail, in person, or through the online renewal portal. These same specifications also govern U.S. visa photos. As of late 2025, the State Department has begun using advanced AI screening to detect digitally altered photos, including those enhanced with beauty filters, skin smoothing, or AI-generated backgrounds -- all of which trigger automatic rejection.

Because the U.S. uses a true square format, it helps to sanity-check your crop against our 2x2 Inch Photo guide before you print. If you want a retail reference for what a mainstream American passport-photo workflow looks like in practice, Walgreens' official passport photo service page is a useful non-government benchmark.

Official Photo Requirements

Physical dimensions:

• 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) -- must be square
• Head height: between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm), measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Eyes must fall between 1 1/8 inches and 1 3/8 inches (28 to 35 mm) from the bottom edge of the photo

Digital specifications (online renewal):

• Format: JPEG, PNG, HEIC, or HEIF
• Pixel dimensions: minimum 600 x 600 px, maximum 1,200 x 1,200 px (must be square)
• File size: between 54 KB and 10 MB
• Color photo only -- no black-and-white

Print specifications:

• Printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper
• No photocopies, digitally scanned reprints, or inkjet prints on plain paper
• High resolution, sharp, and free of visible printer dots or pixelation
• 300 DPI minimum recommended

Background and lighting:

• Plain white or off-white background
• No shadows, texture, or visible lines
• Even, balanced lighting with no harsh shadows on the face or background
• Accurate, natural skin tones

Expression and pose:

• Neutral facial expression with both eyes open and mouth closed
• Face directly facing the camera -- no tilting or turning
• Full face visible from hairline to chin, ear to ear

Clothing and accessories:

• No eyeglasses of any kind (banned since November 1, 2016), except with a signed doctor's note for urgent medical necessity
• No sunglasses or tinted lenses
• No uniforms, camouflage, or uniform-like clothing
• No hats or head coverings unless worn for religious or medical reasons (requires a signed statement; must be a single solid color and allow the full face to be visible)
• No headphones, earbuds, or wireless devices
• Jewelry and facial piercings are permitted as long as they do not obscure the face

Recency: Must be taken within the last 6 months and reflect your current appearance.

Alterations: Absolutely no digital editing -- no filters, no red-eye correction, no AI enhancement, no background replacement, no reshaping of head or facial features. Even subtle changes like skin smoothing will result in rejection.

How to Take Your US Passport Photo at Home

Taking a compliant passport photo at home is straightforward if you follow the State Department's composition rules.

Camera setup: Use a smartphone or digital camera with at least 2 megapixels. Mount it on a tripod or stable surface at face height. Stand at least 4 feet (1.2 meters) from the camera. Use the rear camera for better quality and ask someone else to take the photo, or use a timer.

Background: Stand in front of a plain white wall. A white bed sheet taped to the wall works if your walls are not white. Ensure there are no patterns, objects, or shadows visible behind you. Stand about 6 inches away from the wall to minimize shadows.

Lighting: Use natural daylight from a window directly in front of you, or two lamps positioned at 45-degree angles on either side. Avoid overhead-only lighting, which creates shadows under the eyes, nose, and chin. Flash can cause uneven lighting and red-eye -- avoid it if possible.

Framing: Center your face in the frame. Your head, including hair, should fill about 50-69% of the vertical space. Leave some space above your head and below your chin. For digital submissions, the photo must be perfectly square.

What to wear: Choose a dark or medium-toned top that contrasts with the white background. Avoid white clothing, which can blend into the background. Remove glasses, hats, and headphones.

Where to Get Passport Photos in the US

• CVS Pharmacy -- $16.99 for 2 printed photos. Available at most locations with a photo department. Staff take the photo on-site and print it in minutes. Quality is generally reliable.
• Walgreens -- $14.99 for 2 printed photos. Most locations offer passport photo service. You can also print a compliant 4x6 sheet for $0.35-$0.49 if you prepare the image yourself.
• Walmart -- $7.44 for 2 printed photos. The most affordable major chain option, though not all locations have staffed photo counters.
• USPS (Post Office) -- $15 for 2 photos. Especially convenient if you are submitting a first-time application or renewal in person, since many post offices accept passport applications.
• FedEx Office -- $14.95 for 2 photos. Available at most FedEx Office locations.
• AAA -- Free for AAA members at participating offices.
• Costco -- $5-7 at locations with photo centers (availability varies).

Budget tip: Use an online passport photo tool to prepare a compliant image, then print it as a standard 4x6 photo at any pharmacy kiosk for under $1. The 4x6 print can hold two 2x2 passport photos that you cut yourself.

Photos for Babies and Children

U.S. passport photos for children follow the same 2x2-inch dimensions and white background requirements as adult photos. However, the State Department acknowledges the difficulty of photographing infants and provides limited accommodations.

Infants (under 1 year): Eyes may be partially closed -- this is the only exception to the "both eyes open" rule. The child must be the only person in the photo. A common technique is to lay the baby on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above. If the baby is held, the parent's hands and body must not be visible. No pacifiers, toys, or car seats.

Toddlers and young children: Both eyes must be fully open. Mouth closed, neutral expression. No crying, laughing, or squinting. No one else can appear in the frame. It helps to have the child sit in a car seat or high chair draped with a white sheet, positioned in front of a white wall.

All ages: The child's face must be centered, fully visible, and unobstructed by blankets, hoods, or headbands. The 2x2-inch dimensions and head height rules (1 to 1 3/8 inches) apply regardless of age.

Common Rejection Reasons

The State Department reported that over 300,000 applications were returned for photo issues in 2024 alone. Rejection rates climbed 23% in early 2025 due to stricter enforcement. The top reasons, by frequency:

1. Incorrect subject position (56% of rejections) -- Head not centered, face not fully visible, head tilted or turned, or improper distance from the camera resulting in the head being too large or too small in the frame.
2. Improper lighting (46%) -- Shadows on the face, shadows on the background, uneven lighting, overexposure, or underexposure. Side lighting and overhead-only lighting are the most common culprits.
3. Incorrect facial expression (34%) -- Smiling, mouth open, eyes closed or partially closed (except for infants), squinting, or raised eyebrows.
4. Wrong background (31%) -- Off-color backgrounds, visible patterns or textures, objects in the background, or shadows cast on the wall behind the subject.
5. Head size out of range (24%) -- Head height not between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches. Too close to the camera or too far away.
6. Wearing eyeglasses (ongoing) -- Despite the ban being in effect since November 2016, glasses remain one of the most common issues. Sunglasses, transition lenses, and even clear prescription glasses are all rejected.
7. Digital alterations detected (8% and rising) -- AI-enhanced photos, filtered selfies, digitally replaced backgrounds, skin smoothing, and red-eye correction. The State Department's AI screening catches these automatically as of 2025.

Note: Approximately 40% of all rejected photos are self-taken. Using a timer or asking someone to take the photo significantly reduces rejection risk.

Digital vs Print Submission

Online renewal (digital): Available for eligible adult renewals submitted through the State Department's online portal. Upload a JPEG, PNG, HEIC, or HEIF file between 600x600 px and 1,200x1,200 px (square), file size 54 KB to 10 MB. The photo must be in color. The system performs automated compliance checks and will reject non-compliant uploads immediately.

Mail-in and in-person (print): Submit one printed 2x2-inch photo. Print on matte or glossy photo paper. Staple or clip the photo to the application form -- do not glue it. The photo should be sharp, undamaged, and free of creases, holes, or smudges.

First-time applicants must apply in person at an acceptance facility (post office, library, or clerk's office) and can bring a printed photo or have one taken at the facility if photo services are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I wear prescription glasses in my US passport photo? A: No. Since November 1, 2016, the State Department has prohibited all eyeglasses in passport and visa photos. The only exception is a rare medical necessity (such as recent ocular surgery) documented with a signed note from a doctor.

Q: Can I smile in my passport photo? A: No. You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open. Even a slight smile can trigger rejection, as it interferes with facial recognition matching.

Q: Can I take my own passport photo with my phone? A: Yes, as long as the photo meets all requirements. Use the rear camera, maintain at least 4 feet of distance, and use a white background. However, 40% of rejected photos are self-taken, so having someone else take it is recommended.

Q: How old can my passport photo be? A: Your photo must be taken within 6 months of your application submission date and must reflect your current appearance.

Q: Can I use a passport photo taken at a pharmacy for an online renewal? A: Pharmacy photos are printed. For online renewal, you need a digital file (JPEG, PNG, HEIC, or HEIF) with specific pixel dimensions (600x600 to 1,200x1,200). Some pharmacies offer digital delivery, but most only provide prints. You may need to take a separate digital photo.

Q: What happens if my passport photo is rejected? A: Your application will be returned with an explanation of the issue. You will need to submit a new compliant photo. This adds 4-6 weeks to processing time, so getting the photo right the first time is critical.

Q: Are filters or beauty mode allowed? A: Absolutely not. As of 2025, the State Department uses AI screening to detect any digital alteration, including beauty filters, skin smoothing, background replacement, and AI-generated enhancements. Any detected alteration results in automatic rejection.