US passport photo requirements
A passport photo gets rejected for small things: a shadow behind the ear, a head that's a few millimetres too small, glasses. Here is every US requirement in one list, with how to meet each one at home.
Size and framing
- Photo size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
- Head size: 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair. This is the rule home photos break most often, because phone photos are cropped by eye.
- Position: face centred, looking straight at the camera, full face in view, head not tilted.
Background and light
- Background: plain white or off-white, with no patterns, objects or shadows.
- Light: even on the face, with no shadows on the face or behind the head. Face a window rather than standing beside it.
- Colour: colour photo, true skin tones, no filters, no beauty mode, no retouching.
Face, glasses and clothing
- Expression: neutral or a natural closed-mouth smile, both eyes open.
- Glasses: not allowed unless medically necessary with a doctor's note.
- Head coverings: not allowed unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons, and the full face must be visible. Hats and headphones come off.
- Clothing: everyday clothes. No uniforms, camouflage or anything that looks like one. See what to wear.
Printed vs digital
For a paper application (DS-11 or DS-82 by mail), print the photo on matte or glossy photo paper at 2 x 2 inches and don't staple through the face. For an online renewal, upload a digital file: JPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF, 54 KB to 10 MB, in colour. The maker below gives you both: a 4x6 print sheet and a digital file.
One payment of : the print-ready file, a 4x6 sheet you can print at any pharmacy photo counter for under a dollar, and the digital upload file. Not accepted? Retake as often as you like this session, or ask for a refund.
Downloads open soon.
Babies and children
Children follow the same rules with a few allowances; a newborn's eyes may be closed. See the baby passport photo guide for the white-sheet method.
Questions people ask
What size is a US passport photo?
2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The head, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair, must be 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm).
Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?
No. Glasses have not been allowed since 2016 unless you can't remove them for medical reasons, in which case you need a signed doctor's note.
Can I smile in a passport photo?
A natural, closed-mouth smile is accepted; a neutral expression is safest. Wide grins with teeth showing are a common rejection reason.
How recent does the photo have to be?
Taken in the last six months, and it should reflect how you look now.
What are the rules for an online renewal photo?
The State Department's online renewal accepts JPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF files between 54 KB and 10 MB, in colour, with no filters. The same face and background rules apply.