Quick US passport photo requirements
A US passport photo must be a recent, original color photo with a plain white or off-white background. For paper applications, the final print must be 2 x 2 inches. Your head should be centered, fully visible, and measured from chin to the top of the head at about 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches.
The safest workflow is simple: take a new phone photo in even light, avoid filters or retouching, crop it to the US 2x2 format, and check the file or print before submitting it. For a size-first overview with printing options, see the 2x2 passport photo hub.
US passport photo acceptance checklist
Use this checklist before you upload, print, or attach your photo to a passport application:
- Size: printed passport photos must be 2 x 2 inches.
- Head size: chin to top of head should be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches.
- Age: use a photo taken within the last 6 months that matches your current appearance.
- Background: plain white or off-white, with no shadows, texture, objects, or wall patterns.
- Pose: face the camera directly, head centered, eyes open and visible, mouth closed.
- Expression: neutral expression or natural smile; no exaggerated facial expression.
- Lighting: even lighting across the face, no harsh shadows, glare, red-eye, or overexposure.
- Editing: submit the original photo without filters, beauty effects, AI changes, or retouching.
- Glasses: do not wear eyeglasses unless you have a medical exception.
- Head coverings: only wear them for documented religious or medical reasons, with the face visible.
- Clothing: avoid uniforms, camouflage, and clothing that blends into the background.
- Quality: no blur, compression artifacts, creases, smudges, damaged paper, or visible pixels.
Online Passport Photo App
- Take a photo or upload it
- AI validates your photo
- Preview the final version
- Receive a print-ready digital file
- Have it sent to you by mail if needed
Digital passport photo rules for online renewal
If you are eligible to renew online, the application asks for a digital photo upload rather than a printed 2x2 photo. The same core photo rules still matter: recent photo, plain background, direct pose, even lighting, no glasses, and no digital alterations.
Do not scan a printed passport photo for online renewal unless official instructions tell you to. A fresh digital image is usually cleaner and avoids scan shadows, paper texture, blur, and incorrect sizing.
For upload-specific tips, use our online passport renewal photo guide. If you need both a file and a physical print, start with the digital file first, then create a print-ready version separately.
Common passport photo rejection reasons
Passport photo problems are a common reason applications get delayed. Watch for these before submitting:
- Wrong size: the face or final print was resized by a printer, kiosk, or photo app.
- Old or edited photo: the image does not look current or was filtered, retouched, or AI-altered.
- Bad background: shadows, gray walls, textured paint, furniture, or objects are visible.
- Face not centered: the head is tilted, too close, too far away, or partly cropped.
- Glasses or glare: eyeglasses, reflections, shadows, or hair cover the eyes.
- Poor print quality: glossy glare, low resolution, streaks, scratches, or damaged paper.
- Wrong workflow: using a printed photo for a digital upload or a digital-only file for a paper form.
How to take a compliant passport photo at home
- Stand a few feet in front of a plain white or off-white wall.
- Use soft, even daylight or two balanced light sources to reduce shadows.
- Hold the camera at eye level and keep the face straight toward the lens.
- Leave space around the head and shoulders so the crop can be adjusted accurately.
- Take several photos without glasses, hats, filters, portrait mode blur, or beauty effects.
- Choose the clearest image, then crop it to the US passport photo format.
You can use Passport-Selfie's US passport photo tool to prepare the 2x2 crop, preview the result, and download a digital file, print-ready 4x6 sheet, or optional delivered prints.
Printing checklist for a 2x2 passport photo
If your application needs a paper photo, print on photo-quality paper and protect the final photo from marks or bends. When using a pharmacy, print counter, or home printer, confirm these settings:
- Choose a standard photo print, not a document print on office paper.
- Use actual-size, 100%, or no-crop printing so the 2x2 photo is not resized.
- If printing a 4x6 sheet, do not let the kiosk zoom, fit-to-page, or crop the image.
- Measure the final 2x2 photo and head height before cutting or submitting.
For step-by-step printing help, see our 2x2 passport photo on 4x6 paper guide.
US passport photo requirements FAQ
What size is a US passport photo?
For paper applications, a US passport photo must be 2 x 2 inches. The head should measure about 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Can I use a phone photo for a US passport?
Yes, if the photo is recent, clear, unedited, properly cropped, and meets the background, lighting, expression, and sizing rules. Avoid portrait mode, filters, beauty effects, and heavy compression.
Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No, eyeglasses are generally not allowed in US passport photos unless you have a medical exception. Remove glasses before taking the photo to avoid glare and rejection risk.
Do online passport renewal photos use the same rules?
The core appearance rules are the same, but online renewal uses a digital upload instead of a printed 2x2 photo. Use a fresh digital image rather than scanning a printed passport photo.
About the Author: Timur Amirov
Timur Amirov founded Passport-Selfie and writes practical passport photo guides to help travelers create compliant photos online, print them correctly, and avoid avoidable passport application delays.
Sources and last review
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026. Passport photo rules and retailer services can change, so verify official requirements before submitting your application.
