U.S. passport photo requirements: a complete checklist

A passport photo is one of the most common reasons an application gets delayed. The rules are specific, but none of them are complicated once you see them together. This checklist covers every requirement the U.S. Department of State publishes for passport photos, grouped by what you need to get right: size, appearance, background and lighting, and printing.

If you only remember three things: the photo must be 2 × 2 inches, your head must be 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of hair, and the background must be plain white or off-white.

Size and framing

The printed photo must be exactly 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). Within that square, your head — measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your hair — must be between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) tall. Your head should be centered, and the photo should show your full face from the front.

Head size is where most home photos go wrong. A photo taken too close makes the head too large; one taken from too far away makes it too small.

Your appearance

Expression and pose

• Face the camera directly with your full face in view. Don't tilt your head.
• Keep a neutral expression or a natural smile.
• Keep both eyes open.

Glasses

Glasses are not allowed in passport photos. The only exception is when you can't remove them for medical reasons, such as recovery from eye surgery. In that case you must include a signed statement from your doctor with your application.

Hats and head coverings

Remove hats and head coverings. You can wear one only if it's for religious or medical reasons and you submit a signed statement:

• Religious: a statement that verifies the head covering is part of recognized, traditional religious attire worn continuously in public.
• Medical: a signed statement from a doctor that the head covering is used daily for medical purposes.

Even with a statement, your full face must be visible and the covering must not cast shadows on your face.

Clothing and accessories

• Wear everyday clothing. Uniforms, clothing that looks like a uniform, and camouflage are not acceptable.
• Remove headphones and wireless hands-free devices.
• Jewelry and facial piercings are fine as long as they don't hide your face.
• Permanent tattoos are acceptable.

Background, lighting, and image quality

Use a plain white or off-white background with no patterns, objects, or other people in the frame. Light your face evenly so there are no shadows on your face or behind you. A window with indirect daylight in front of you works well; avoid overhead lights that shadow your eyes.

The photo must be in color, in focus, and taken within the last six months. Don't use filters or apps that smooth your skin, change your features, or replace the background — the Department of State doesn't accept photos changed with software, filters, or artificial intelligence. Cropping and resizing to the right dimensions is fine; changing how you look is not.

Printing your photo

Print on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. The photo must not be damaged — no creases, holes, smudges, or marks. Don't staple it through your face. If you print at home or at a pharmacy kiosk, print at actual size with no scaling so the 2 × 2 inch dimensions stay exact.

Digital photos for online renewal

If you renew online, you upload a digital photo instead of mailing a print. The appearance rules above still apply. The Department of State publishes separate technical instructions for the upload, including file format and size limits; check the official upload page before you start, because those details can change.

Photos of babies and children

Children need their own photo, and the same rules apply. For babies, no other person or object (such as a hand or a toy) may appear in the photo. A simple approach is to lay the baby on a plain white sheet and take the photo from above. It's acceptable if a newborn's eyes aren't fully open.

Quick checklist before you submit

When everything checks out, use our passport photo editor to crop your photo to the correct size.