Passport Photo Requirements (U.S.)

Sizing, background, attire, DIY tips, and digital upload rules—everything you need for a passport photo that gets accepted the first time.

Last Updated: October 29, 2025

Quick checklist

•Provide one recent, color photo taken within the last 6 months.
•Use a white or off‑white background with even lighting (no shadows).
•Face the camera straight on with a neutral expression; both eyes open.
•Remove glasses. Medical exceptions require a doctor’s note.
•For paper applications, bring a 2" × 2" printed photo on photo paper; for eligible online renewals, prepare a digital file that meets the upload rules.

Paper applications: exact photo specs (most applicants)

Requirement	What it means
Photo size	2" × 2" (51 × 51 mm)
Head size in frame	From bottom of chin to top of head must measure 1" to 1 3/8" (25–35 mm).
Background	Plain white/off‑white, smooth; no textures, lines, or shadows.
Paper & print quality	Printed on matte or glossy photo paper; high resolution (not blurry, grainy, or pixelated); no filters or AI alterations.
Quantity	1 photo
Pose & expression	Face camera directly; neutral expression (a soft, closed‑mouth smile is okay); both eyes open.
Glasses	Remove glasses. If medically necessary, include a signed doctor’s note.
Head coverings	Allowed for religious daily wear (with a signed statement) or medical reasons (doctor’s note). Full face must be visible; avoid shadows on face.
Attire	Wear everyday clothing. No uniforms or camouflage.
Accessories	No headphones or hands‑free devices. Jewelry and facial piercings are fine if they don’t obscure the face.

Composition tip

For a quick self‑check before printing, aim to place the eyes roughly 1 1/8"–1 3/8" from the bottom edge of the photo and keep the head height within 1"–1 3/8".

Online renewal: digital photo rules

•File types: JPG, JPEG, HEIC, or HEIF.
•File size: between 54 KB and 10 MB.
•Must be taken within the last 6 months; no filters or retouching that changes appearance.
•Follow the portal’s crop prompts; the paper‑form “photo tool” isn’t used for online renewals.

Babies and young children

•Only the child appears in the frame.
•Front‑facing; avoid shadows on face or background.
•For infants, it’s acceptable if the eyes are not fully open; older children must have eyes open.
•Practical setup: lay the baby on a white/off‑white sheet (or cover a car seat) and shoot from above so no hands/supports are visible.

Attire & accessories: allowed vs. not allowed

Topic	Allowed	Not allowed
Clothing	Everyday wear.	Uniforms or camouflage.
Glasses	None (must remove).	Glasses/tinted lenses (unless medically necessary with doctor’s note).
Head coverings	Religious daily wear (with signed statement) or medical coverings (doctor’s note); full face visible.	Fashion hats/caps; anything that hides the hairline/face or casts shadows.
Jewelry & piercings	Okay if they don’t obscure facial features.	Items that hide or distort facial features.
Devices	—	Headphones or hands‑free devices.

Common rejection reasons

•Wrong size (photo not 2″×2″, or head too big/small).
•Poor quality (blurry, grainy, pixelated, damaged print).
•Background not white/off‑white, or shadows/texture visible.
•Lighting/exposure issues causing harsh shadows.
•Glasses on, or headwear that obscures the face/hairline.
•Filters/AI edits that alter appearance.

Renewing by mail (DS‑82): how to attach the photo

1Place the photo in the photo box on page 1 of Form DS‑82.
2Use four staples placed vertically in the corners, close to the outer edges; do not cover the face area.
3Do not bend, tape, or glue; keep the photo flat and clean.

Legal note

Passport acceptance agents may request additional evidence if they cannot verify your photo meets requirements. Policies and forms can change; this guide reflects information as of October 29, 2025. Always follow the latest instructions from the U.S. Department of State and your acceptance facility.

Disclaimer: Passport Rush LLC operates PassportVisaRush.com, a private document preparation service that assists clients with completing and organizing passport and visa application forms before submission to official U.S. Passport Agencies.

We are not a government entity and are not affiliated with any U.S. Department of State office or federal agency. We do not offer legal advice. Individuals requiring legal assistance should consult a licensed attorney.

Our online preparation system and customer support are optional paid services designed to simplify and expedite the document preparation process for U.S. citizens. All required forms are also available for free directly through the official U.S. Department of State website at travel.state.gov, but without the guided preparation, document review, and submission support provided by PassportVisaRush.com.