Passport Photo Requirements in Plain English
The State Department’s photo requirements are strict and automated scanners now check photos digitally before human review. A photo that “looks fine” to you may fail a dimension check or background brightness test. Here is every rule you need to know.
Complete 2026 Photo Specification Table
Every requirement from the U.S. Department of State photo guidelines, translated into clear, actionable language.
| Requirement | Specification | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo Size | Exactly 2 inches × 2 inches (51mm × 51mm) | Required | Must be exactly this size — larger or smaller will be rejected. Most photo services auto-crop to this size. |
| Head Size | 1 inch to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of head | Required | Head must be centered and fill 50–69% of the frame. Too small or too large will be rejected. |
| Background Color | Plain white or off-white ONLY | Required | No patterns, textures, gradients, other colors, shadows, or objects in the background. Automated scanners check background brightness. |
| Head Position | Facing camera directly, head centered | Required | No tilting head to the side, no looking up or down. Face must be fully visible and squarely facing the camera. |
| Facial Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed | Required | A slight natural resting expression is acceptable. Broad smiles, frowns, raised eyebrows, or squinting are not. |
| Eyes | Both eyes open, looking directly at camera | Required | Eyes must be fully open. Half-closed eyes, squinting, or eyes looking to the side will cause rejection. Red-eye must not be present. |
| Glasses | No glasses of any kind | Not Allowed | Rule effective November 2016. Prescription glasses, reading glasses, sunglasses, and tinted glasses all prohibited. Medical exception possible with signed optometrist statement. |
| Lighting | Evenly lit, no shadows on face or background | Required | No dark shadows cast from nose, chin, or overhead lighting. Face must be evenly illuminated. Flash directly in front only. |
| Color | Full color photograph | Required | Black-and-white, sepia, or filtered photos will not be accepted. |
| Photo Age | Taken within the last 6 months | Required | Must represent your current appearance. If your appearance has changed significantly (hair, weight, scars, etc.), get a new photo even if less than 6 months old. |
| Print Medium | Photo paper only | Required | Inkjet paper, laser paper, regular copy paper, or cardstock will be rejected. Must be printed on glossy or matte photo paper. |
| Print Quality | High resolution, sharp focus | Required | No pixelation, blurring, graininess, overexposure, or underexposure. Minimum 300 DPI for printing. |
| Clothing | Regular street clothing | Required | Uniforms not acceptable, including military, police, or sports uniforms. Regular civilian clothing is fine. No clothing that blends into the white background. |
| Head Coverings | Not permitted unless for documented religious or medical reasons | Conditional | Head coverings worn daily for religious practice are allowed with a signed statement. Medical head coverings (chemo, post-surgery) allowed with a signed statement. Hair accessories that do not cover the face are fine. |
| Headphones / Earbuds | Not permitted | Not Allowed | Wireless earbuds, hearing aids (visible), headphones, and Bluetooth devices are not permitted in the photo. |
| Photo Alterations | No digital alterations | Not Allowed | Photos must not be digitally retouched, filtered, edited, or altered in any way. This includes Instagram-style filters, brightness adjustments, or background replacements. |
The Most Important Rules at a Glance
These are the requirements that most commonly cause rejection. Memorize these before getting your photo taken.
Size & Dimensions
Exactly 2″ × 2″The photo must be exactly 2 inches by 2 inches, printed to that exact size on photo paper. Head should fill 50–69% of the frame, measuring 1″–1⅜″ from chin to crown.
No Glasses — Ever
Rule Since 2016Zero exceptions without a signed statement from an eye doctor. Prescription glasses, readers, sunglasses — all prohibited. This is the #1 rejection reason for DIY photos.
White or Off-White Background
No ExceptionsThe background must be plain white or off-white with no patterns, gradients, shadows, or objects. A door, wall, or bedsheet is not acceptable. Purpose-made backgrounds are needed.
Print on Photo Paper
Photo Paper OnlyRegular printer paper, inkjet paper, and copy paper are rejected. The photo must be printed on glossy or matte photo paper. CVS, Walgreens, and USPS use the correct paper.
Neutral Expression
Mouth ClosedNeutral expression with both eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera. No broad smiling, no frowning, no raised eyebrows. A relaxed natural face is what you want.
Taken Within 6 Months
Recent Photo RequiredThe photo must represent your current appearance. If you recently changed your hair significantly, lost or gained weight, or had facial surgery, get a new photo even if the old one is recent.
10 Most Common Reasons Passport Photos Get Rejected
These are the actual failure modes that cause applications to be returned. Checking your photo against this list before submitting can save weeks of delay.
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1
Wearing Glasses
The most common rejection reason since the 2016 rule change. Any glasses — prescription, reading, tinted — will cause rejection. If your photo service has not updated their checklist, they may not catch this before printing.
-
2
Shadow on Background or Face
Shadows cast behind the head or on the face from overhead or angled lighting will trigger rejection. The background should be uniformly bright white with no gray areas. Stand 2–3 feet from the background to prevent head shadows.
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3
Wrong Background Color
Using a light gray, cream, light blue, or textured background instead of white or off-white. Many household walls that appear white can read as gray on camera. Use a true white background or a professionally lit photo station.
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4
Printed on Regular Paper
DIY photos printed on standard inkjet or copy paper are rejected. The State Department requires photo-quality glossy or matte paper. Print at a pharmacy, post office, or photo service, or upload to an online photo service that ships on photo paper.
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5
Head Size Outside Acceptable Range
Head must measure between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (not the top of the photo). Too close (head too large) or too far (head too small) will fail the automated measurement check.
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6
Eyes Not Open or Not Looking at Camera
Half-open eyes, squinting, or eyes looking away from the camera will cause rejection. This is especially common with infants and toddlers. The camera must be at eye level and both eyes must be clearly visible and fully open.
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7
Photo Too Old (Over 6 Months)
Using a photo from a previous application or one taken more than 6 months ago. Your photo must represent your current appearance. Acceptance agents will compare the photo to your face at time of submission.
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8
Overexposed or Washed-Out Image
Too much flash or backlighting washes out facial features, making it difficult to distinguish features for biometric scanning. Avoid direct flash close to the face and use diffused, even lighting.
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9
Photo Has Been Digitally Altered
Using photo filters, retouching skin, adjusting brightness or color, or using AI background replacement apps will cause rejection. The State Department requires the photo to be an unaltered representation of your appearance.
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10
Head Covering Without Documentation
Wearing a hat, cap, bandana, or headscarf that is not part of documented daily religious practice. Even a casual head covering worn regularly will be rejected without an accompanying signed statement affirming it is worn daily for religious observance.
Best Places to Get a Compliant Passport Photo
These retail locations use proper equipment and photo paper and guarantee their photos meet State Department requirements. Prices last verified early 2026.
CVS Pharmacy
~$16.99Available at most locations. Same-day service. Passport photos taken at the photo counter or self-service kiosk. Widely available nationwide.
Walgreens
~$14.99Ask at the photo counter or use the passport photo app to take your own and print at a Walgreens location. Generally same-day.
UPS Store
~$11.99Many locations offer passport photo services. Pricing varies by franchise. Call your nearest location to confirm availability.
U.S. Post Office
~$15.00USPS locations that offer passport acceptance services also offer photo services. Convenient since you can submit your passport application at the same visit.
Professional Photographer
$15–$40Best lighting and results. Portrait studios and professional photographers ensure compliant photos. Higher cost but virtually zero rejection risk.
AAA (Members)
Free*AAA members can get free passport photos at many AAA branch offices. Check your local branch for availability. *Membership required.
How to Take Your Own Passport Photo at Home
DIY passport photos are allowed if they meet all requirements. Here is how to get it right the first time. Note that you still need to print on photo paper, which means either a home photo printer or uploading to a print service.
Set Up a White Background
Tape a large piece of white poster board or a white sheet to a flat wall. Make sure the background fills the entire frame behind your head and shoulders — no room edges, furniture, or objects visible.
Position Lighting in Front of You
Use two light sources positioned on either side of the camera, aimed at your face. This eliminates shadows. Natural window light on a cloudy day is actually ideal. Avoid a single overhead light source.
Set Camera at Eye Level
The camera must be directly at eye level — not looking down at you (which is the natural phone selfie angle) and not looking up. Use a tripod or prop your phone on a stack of books.
Stand 2–3 Feet From Background
Standing too close to the background causes your shadow to fall on it. Standing 2–3 feet away separates your shadow from the background, keeping it clean white.
Use a Photo Cropping Tool
Use a free online passport photo tool (photos.state.gov has a free crop tool) or use a photo editor to crop your image to exactly 2″×2″ with the proper head position.
Print on Photo Paper Only
Print at a CVS or Walgreens kiosk, Walmart photo center, or use an online service that ships on photo paper. Do not print on your home inkjet printer on regular paper.
Online Passport Photo Services
These services let you take a photo on your phone, crop it to spec, and receive a print-ready file or physical prints by mail on photo paper.
Passport Photo Online
AI-verified compliance check. Upload, auto-crop, download or order prints. Widely used and fast.
IDPhoto4You
Free crop tool for multiple ID types. Download printable sheet. You print at a local photo service.
State Dept. Crop Tool
Official free tool from the U.S. State Department. Upload, position head with the guide, download. No frills, fully compliant output.
Snapfish / Shutterfly
Upload your cropped photo file and order printed 2″×2″ prints on photo paper shipped to your home or for local pickup.
Passport Photos for Minors and Infants
👶 Same Requirements Apply to All Ages
The photo requirements for children and infants are identical to those for adults, with the same size, background, expression, and eye requirements. However, getting a compliant photo of a baby or toddler is much harder in practice. Here is what to know:
- ✓Eyes must be open and looking at the camera. This is the hardest part for infants. Take many photos and select the best frame where both eyes are open and directed forward.
- ✓No parent hands or arms visible. Lay the infant on a clean white sheet or place them in a white bucket seat. Crops out any visible supporting hands from behind.
- ✓White background, same as adults. A white sheet laid flat on the floor works well for infants who cannot sit independently.
- ✓No pacifiers or bottles in the photo. Remove all items from the baby’s mouth and hands before taking the photo.
- ✓No car seat visible. Even a car seat with a white cover is not an acceptable background. Lay the infant on a flat white surface instead.
- ✓No hats or headbands unless worn for daily religious observance (extremely rare for infants).
Professional photo services that specialize in infant passport photos are worth considering if you are struggling to get a compliant shot. Some USPS and CVS locations have experience photographing very young children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common passport photo questions.
More Free Government Application Guides
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