Content methodology

How we research a guide

1. Start with the official requirement. We read the current requirements published by the agency that sets them — for U.S. passports, the Department of State's passport photo page, application form instructions, and the Foreign Affairs Manual where relevant.
2. Record the exact rule. We note measurements and limits exactly as published (for example, a 2 × 2 inch photo with a 1 to 1⅜ inch head) before rewriting anything in plain English.
3. Convert and explain. Where helpful, we convert units (inches to millimeters and pixels) and show our working, such as using 300 DPI for print-to-pixel conversions.
4. Explain the practical side. We add practical tips, such as how to light a photo at home. These are clearly our own advice, not official rules.
5. Link the sources. Every guide lists the official pages it was checked against, so you can verify anything yourself.

How we keep guides current

Official requirements change occasionally — for example, the U.S. stopped accepting eyeglasses in passport photos in 2016. We recheck each guide against its sources regularly and when we hear about a change. The "last updated" date on each guide shows the most recent meaningful update.

How we build and test tools

Our tools use the same measurements as our guides. For a U.S. photo, for example, the passport photo editor reports the head height as a share of the 2 × 2 inch photo, so you can compare it with the official 1 to 1⅜ inch range (50% to 69%). We test tools in current versions of major browsers on desktop and mobile. The passport photo editor uploads your photo for processing, as described in our privacy policy.

Limits you should know about

• We are not the decision-maker. The agency reviewing your application decides whether a photo is acceptable. A photo that meets every published rule can still be rejected — for example, if it's too dark or doesn't look like you.
• Rules can change before we update. Always confirm the current requirements on the official source before you apply, especially if your application is urgent.
• Your situation may be different. Special cases — such as medical devices, religious attire, or photos of infants — have extra rules. We summarize them, but the agency's instructions take priority.
• Our tools don't check compliance. They crop, resize, and compress. They don't assess lighting, background, expression, or image quality.

Questions or corrections

If you think a guide is wrong, out of date, or unclear, please contact us and include a link to the official source if you have one.