U.S. Passport Photo
Requirements 2025

📐 Exact Photo Dimensions

The State Department enforces strict size specifications. Getting these wrong is the #1 reason for application delays.

✅ What's Acceptable vs. ❌ What Gets Rejected

Common acceptance criteria and the most frequent causes of rejection.

🖼️ Background Requirements

The background rule is simple but surprisingly common to get wrong — especially with smartphone photos.

💡 Lighting Requirements

• 1

  Use even, diffused natural or artificial light

  Natural daylight near a window (but not in direct sunlight) works great. Overcast outdoor light is ideal — it's soft and shadow-free. Avoid flash directly on face; it creates harsh shadows.

  💡 Pro tip: Stand facing a window, not sideways to it. This gives you even, flattering front lighting.
• 2

  Eliminate shadows on face and background

  Make sure there are no shadows under your nose, chin, or on the background. Step 6–12 inches away from the background wall to prevent your shadow from falling on it.

  💡 If you see shadows, move closer to a window or add a second light source from the other side.
• 3

  Avoid red-eye

  Red-eye is an automatic rejection. If using flash, use a camera's red-eye reduction mode, or take the photo in a well-lit room without flash. Never use red-eye correction filters — they look artificial and are also rejected.

• 4

  Avoid over-exposure or under-exposure

  The photo must have clear, natural skin tones. Very dark (underexposed) or very bright/washed-out (overexposed) photos are rejected. Use portrait mode on your phone to correct for this automatically.

😐 Expression & Pose Rules

🕌 Headwear & Religious Head Coverings

Headwear is not permitted unless it is worn daily for religious reasons.

⚠️ Most Common Rejection Reasons

These are the most frequent reasons photos are rejected by the State Department. Most are completely preventable.

📱 How to Take Your Own Passport Photo at Home

You can absolutely take your own passport photo — the State Department explicitly allows it. Here's how to do it right.

• 1

  Set up your background

  Tape a large white sheet of paper or a white foam board to your wall. Alternatively, use a plain white wall or door. Make sure it's clean, smooth, and evenly lit. You'll stand about 6–12 inches in front of it.

  💡 A foam board from the dollar store works great and can be reused.
• 2

  Set up your lighting

  Face a window with natural daylight (not direct sunlight). If indoors at night, use two light sources at 45° angles on each side of your face to eliminate shadows. Avoid overhead lighting alone — it creates under-eye and nose shadows.

  💡 Overcast outdoor light is the gold standard. Step outside if you have a white fence or light wall.
• 3

  Prop up your camera or phone

  Set your phone on a tripod, chair, or pile of books at eye level — roughly 4–6 feet away from you. Use the self-timer (3 or 10 seconds) so the camera is completely still. Avoid using the front-facing selfie camera; use the rear camera for better quality.

  💡 The rear camera on modern iPhones and Androids is significantly higher quality than the selfie cam.
• 4

  Check your appearance

  Remove glasses. Style hair away from your face. Wear a plain, neutral shirt (avoid white — it blends with the background). Remove hats or head coverings unless religious. Check that nothing is in your ears (AirPods, etc.).

• 5

  Take the photo

  Stand straight, look directly into the camera lens, relax your face with a neutral expression and mouth closed. Take multiple shots. The photo should show your full face from the top of your head to just below your chin, centered.

  💡 Take at least 5–10 shots and pick the best one. Small differences in expression matter.
• 6

  Crop and size with a passport photo tool

  Use a compliant app (see below) to crop the photo to exactly 2×2 inches with proper head centering. The app will verify head size and position. Do NOT use Instagram filters or general photo editors for cropping — dimensions must be precise.

• 7

  Print professionally

  Take your digital file to CVS, Walgreens, Costco, or a drugstore photo kiosk. Print two 2×2 inch photos on 4×6 photo paper. Cost: typically $0.50–$2.00 for self-print kiosk options. Do not print on a regular inkjet home printer — the quality is usually insufficient.

  💡 If using CVS or Walgreens, select "Passport Photo Prints" at the kiosk to get the exact 2×2 inch format.

📲 Recommended Passport Photo Apps

These apps automatically crop, size, and verify your photo meets U.S. State Department requirements.

🏪 Where to Get Passport Photos

Cost and speed comparison for in-person passport photo services.

💻 Digital Photo Requirements (Online Renewal)

If you're applying online via the State Department's passport renewal system, your digital file must meet these specifications.

👶 Special Situations

❓ Frequently Asked Questions