US Passport Photo Requirements and Size
- 2x2-inch ratio
- Color picture
- Current photo only
- No cap or head cover
- No headphones
- No glasses
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Passport Photo Requirements for US
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The photo is cropped to the ratio given in the requirements. Head dimensions and position are also set up correctly.Both Digital and Printable
Save a digital copy of the photo for your US passport or print it at special printing services at your convenience.
Passport Photo Must Meet the Following Requirements:
Size and Proportions
Read moreCloseAs per the requirements, a correct photo for United States passport should be 2"x 2" (51 x 51 mm). Your head should be centered horizontally straight ahead. The face must be sized 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head or between 25 and 35 mm. Your entire head must be visible.
Hair may extend past the boundaries of the passport photo frames, for instance, if your head proportions are outside the above mentioned width and height range.Pose & Expression
Read moreCloseOfficial US passport photo requirements say about neutral facial expression, eyes, neck and shoulders facing the camera directly. A natural smile is acceptable with mouth closed. A little bit of teeth showing is ok.
Eyes should be clearly visible. Your head cannot be tilted forward, backward or to a side and must be in the photo in full.Shadows
Read moreCloseNo shadows on the face or background are acceptable (except for behind the ears). Your passport photos should have natural even light that reproduces your skin tone properly without too much brightness or darkness.
Facial piercings, earrings, and necklaces are allowed if they are moderate in dimensions and don't hinder visibility.Background
Read moreCloseAccording to the governmental requirements, the background should be plain, without objects or other people, white or off-white color.
No shadows are allowed in the photo for your new passport.Clothes, Hats, Hair
Read moreCloseWhen taking a photo for your passport, you can't wear a hat, uniform, camouflage attire, bulky jewelry, hearing device, or head covering except for religious or medical reasons. Both clothing exceptions require a signed statement for infants, children, and adults. Your full face should be visible even if you wear clothing or headgear for religious purposes.
A toddler can't wear a hat like a cap, or another head covering, or baby bow. School uniform isn't permitted in a passport photo either. Smudges on child and babies clothing are acceptable.
Make sure your long hair, toupee, or bangs doesn't obscure any part of your face.
Facial hair is ok to be in the document photo: whiskers, a beard, or a moustache is a yes. Make sure all your hair fits into the frame and is not cut in half.Retouching
Read moreCloseAccording to the photo requirements, no editing or any retouching is allowed. You can not make your body thinner or polish skin by removing pimples, scars, tattoos, for instance.
No selfies with social media filters are allowed. Passport photos must not be changed to remove red eye effect.Resolution & Print Size
Read moreCloseImages are required to be at least 300 DPI (dots per inch printer format setting). Blurry, pixelated, grainy photos won't pass guidelines. Please exclude motion blur when taking a baby’s passport image or your own snapshot with a mobile.
We recommend using specialized photo printing shops for 2 x 2 inches width and height clear image printouts. Or if you print the submitted passport picture at home - use higher quality printer ink, photo quality paper and increase the printer’s resolution setting for the best printed passport photo size.Glasses
Read moreCloseThe passport picture requirements clearly state that wearing glasses, common eyeglasses, or sunglasses is not allowed.
When taking a photo, you should remove glasses even if you wear them every day due to medical purposes.Babies, Kids
Read moreCloseBaby should be the only one present in their passport photo. No additional objects in the background. Neutral facial expression, natural smile or open mouth, head facing directly the camera. Eyes not entirely open are accepted for newborns and babies.
For instance, photo must not contain closed eyes. Take a photo at your child eye level, so the eye line is at the correct position.
Baby’s face should be entirely seen with no objects obscuring parts of his face. A picture where a hat, head covering for religious reasons, or other clothing that hide infants forehead, nose, eyebrows, hairline are rejected by passport photo rules.
Passport Picture Requirements & Size in US: FAQ
What are the requirements for a US passport photo?
The State Department website provides explicit instructions and rules. Your picture must comply with the strict rules and regulations to adhere to the high biometric standards. The U.S. government highlights 8 key U.S. passport photo guidelines that you need to ensure before submitting your portrait taken within last 6 months:
- Date taken: over the past 6 months
- Actual photo with current appearance and age
- Dimensions, resolution, and printing
- Plain white background (standard for a US passport)
- Shadows and lighting
- Pose, appearance, and smile. Find out more on the rule: can you smile in a passport photo?
- Clothes, hair, and accessories.
- No photo editing or retouching
To learn more about each requirement, please see the info above.What size is a passport photo per criteria?
According to the official instructions effective in the country, it must be exactly 2″ x 2″ (51 x 51 mm).
How to make passport size photos?
Using PhotoBooth Online, you save time and receive a fine result! It’s easy to make snapshots for your new documents. Here’s several tips how to make an acceptable portrait for a US passport online with our photo services:
- Find a white background
- Not to cast shadows, adjust light and distance to avoid underexposed result or overexposure
- Wear everyday clothes, including religious attire worn daily. No uniforms.
- Stand straight, keep the photo camera on your eyes level
- Keep eyes open, straight shoulders, visible ears
- Take a pic with your digital camera
- Submit it to the PhotoBooth online passport application
- Wait a few moments to get a verified photograph after applying crop frame tool
- Download JPEG format files and print your US passport photographs on 4 x 6 inches photo quality paper on a color printer device or at a local store, pharmacy, library, or AAA passport photo office locations.
What is a passport size photo?
To be fully compliant, your headshot must be precisely 2″ x 2″ (51 x 51 mm), with your head centered between 1″ and 1.4″ (25 and 35 mm).
Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?
As provided in the official instructions, you can’t wear glasses, dark glasses, tinted lenses, or sunglasses on your 2 inches (51mm) x 2 inches (51mm) US passport document, even if you do it due to medical reasons.
How many photos do I need to provide per U.S. passport photo requirements?
You need to provide one high quality 2 x 2 inch file printed on glossy or matte professional photographic paper that meets the list of specs on the State Department website page.
What color is the background for US passport photo?
A plain white or off-white is the background color per the guidelines issued by the Department of State.
How recent does your passport photo per requirements of USA need to be?
You can submit a new snapshot or one taken within the past six months. Other 2 x 2 inches full face photos are rejected as not conforming to the official photo rules.
How to make plain white background for U.S. passport photo online?
PhotoBooth Online automatically makes off white background as requested by the Department of State for 2 x 2 inches full face snapshots to be printed on matte or glossy paper. You don’t have to do anything with your uploaded JPG. However, if you wish, you can take a new photo against a white wall or a white blanket or a white bedsheet.