A U.S. passport photo must be 2 x 2 inches, in color, and taken in the last 6 months. You need a plain white or off-white background, a neutral expression or a natural closed-mouth smile, both eyes open, and no glasses. Those are the State Department’s passport photo rules, and a photo that misses one of them puts your application on hold.
We’re The Passport Office, and we see photo problems every day. If you want it done right the first time, we take passport photos at our offices for $10. Call us to set it up at the office nearest you, or keep reading for every rule.
Need the passport soon, too? We’re a registered courier service, and we hand-carry applications to a U.S. passport agency. With our Emergency service, we can get your passport in as fast as 2 to 3 business days. You still pay the government fees, and our service fee is on top of that. We can only take on an application we submit from the start, so call us before you mail anything. See our pricing or call us to book.
Passport photo requirements at a glance
| Rule | What the State Department asks for |
|---|---|
| Size | 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) |
| Head size | 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) from chin to top of head |
| Age of photo | Taken in the last 6 months |
| Color | Color only, no black and white |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no shadows, texture or objects |
| Expression | Neutral or a natural smile, mouth closed, both eyes open |
| Glasses | Not allowed, unless a doctor’s signed note says you can’t remove them |
| Head coverings | Not allowed, unless worn for religious or medical reasons, with a signed statement |
| Editing | No filters, apps, retouching or AI |
| Matte or glossy photo paper. No photocopies or scans |
Want to see what passes and what fails? Our passport photo examples page shows the common cases.
Size and head position
The printed photo is 2 x 2 inches. Your head, measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head, should take up 1 to 1 3/8 inches of that. Face the camera straight on, with your head level. Don’t tilt it up, down, or to the side.
Most rejections for size come from a photo cropped by hand or taken too close or too far away. A photo booth, a pharmacy, or our office will size it for you.
Background, lighting and print quality
Stand in front of a plain white or off-white wall. The background can’t have shadows, patterns, or anything behind you. Light your face evenly, so there are no shadows across it or on the wall.
The photo has to be sharp and true to your skin tone. Blurry, grainy, or pixelated prints get rejected. So do photos printed on regular paper, photocopies, and scans of an older print.
Can you smile in a passport photo?
Yes, a little. The State Department accepts a neutral expression or a natural smile, as long as your mouth is closed and both eyes are open. A big, toothy smile is the problem, along with raised eyebrows, squinting, or closed eyes.
If you’re unsure, go neutral with a relaxed face. It’s the safest choice.
Glasses, head coverings and what to wear
- Glasses: take them off, including prescription glasses and sunglasses. This rule has applied since 2016. If you truly can’t remove them for medical reasons, send a signed note from your doctor with the application.
- Hats and head coverings: remove them. A religious or medical head covering is fine if you include a signed statement, and your full face must still show.
- Clothing: wear normal everyday clothes. No uniforms, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage.
- Headphones: no headphones or wireless earbuds.
- Jewelry, makeup and hair: jewelry and facial piercings are fine if they don’t hide your face. Makeup is fine too, but you have to look like yourself, with no filters. Keep hair off your eyes.
For outfit ideas, colors that work, and what to skip, see our guide to what to wear for a passport photo.
Baby and child passport photos
Every child needs their own photo, newborns included. The rules are the same, with a few allowances:
- No one else can be in the photo, not even a parent’s hand.
- Lay your baby on a plain white or off-white sheet, or cover a car seat with one and take the photo there.
- A newborn’s eyes don’t have to be fully open. Older children need their eyes open.
- Make sure there are no shadows on your child’s face, and that the full face is visible.
Babies are hard to photograph alone at home. Bring them in and we’ll take care of it.
Do you need a new photo to renew your passport?
Yes. Every passport application needs a new photo taken in the last 6 months, and that includes a renewal. You can’t reuse the photo from your old passport or one from a previous application.
Renewing by mail or online? Our guide to renewing a passport walks through the steps.
Can you take your own passport photo?
Yes, as long as it meets every rule. Here’s how to do it at home:
- Stand in front of a plain white or off-white wall, or hang a white sheet. Stand a few feet in front of it so you don’t cast a shadow.
- Use even, natural light facing you. Avoid overhead light that shadows your eyes.
- Have someone else take the photo from about 4 feet away, at eye level. A selfie at arm’s length usually distorts your face.
- Don’t edit it. No filters, beauty modes, or background removal.
- For a paper application, print it at 2 x 2 inches on photo paper.
Renewing online? You upload a digital photo instead of mailing a print. Use the original image file, in a JPG or another format the upload page accepts. Don’t text it to yourself first, and don’t scan a printed photo, because both lower the quality.
A home photo saves a few dollars, but a rejected one costs you weeks. If you’d rather not risk it, our offices take passport photos for $10.
Where to get a passport photo and what it costs
You have a few options:
- Our offices: $10, taken by people who check passport photos every day. Call us to set it up.
- Pharmacies and shipping stores: usually about $15 to $20. CVS and Walgreens both offer passport photos.
- Post offices and acceptance facilities: many take photos when you apply in person.
- At home: free, if you follow every rule above.
The photo is a separate charge from the passport itself. For the government fees, see how much a U.S. passport costs.
What if your passport photo is rejected?
The State Department sends a letter or email, and your application waits on hold until you send a new photo. You have 90 days to respond. Our guide to a rejected passport photo explains what to do next.
Getting your passport fast
The State Department posts 4 to 6 weeks for routine service and 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service, plus mail time. The government charges $60 to expedite, on top of the application fee. If your trip is urgent, you may also qualify for an appointment at a State Department passport agency.
If your trip is close, that’s where we come in. With our Emergency service, we can get your passport in as fast as 2 to 3 business days, and we’ll take your photo at the same visit. You still pay the government fees, including the $60 to expedite, and our service fee is on top of that. Our guide to how long it takes to get a passport compares every option. Call us and we’ll tell you what fits your dates, or see pricing for new passports and renewals.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear a uniform in my passport photo?
No. The State Department doesn’t accept uniforms, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage. Wear normal everyday clothes.
Can I wear a religious head covering?
Yes. Include a signed statement explaining that you wear it for religious reasons. Your full face must still be visible.
Can I wear earrings or keep my piercings in?
Yes, as long as they don’t hide your face. Large pieces that cast shadows or catch the light are worth taking off.
Can my passport photo be more than 6 months old?
No. The photo has to be taken in the last 6 months, and it should still look like you today.
Can I use a selfie for my passport photo?
Usually not. A selfie at arm’s length distorts your face and rarely gets the head size right. Ask someone to take it from a few feet away instead.
What size is a passport photo in millimeters?
51 x 51 mm, which is 2 x 2 inches. Your head should be 25 to 35 mm from chin to top of head.
Should I tilt my head up or down?
Neither. Keep your head level and face the camera straight on.