US Passport Photo Size and Rules: Official Guide

A US passport photo must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), with the head measuring 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. It must be in color, taken in the last 6 months, against a plain white or off-white background. These rules come from the US State Department's passport photo page, which was last updated on March 24, 2026.

The State Department says unacceptable photos are the number one reason it puts passport applications on hold, so this small step is worth getting right. This guide covers paper forms. Online renewal has its own digital photo page, so read that page if you are renewing online.

The size rules

• Printed size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
• Head size: 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm), from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
• Position: your head and shoulders should be centered, with your whole head in the frame.
• Hair: it may go past the edges of the photo, as long as your entire head is shown at the right size.

If you stand too close to the camera, your head will be too big. Too far away and it will be too small. The page suggests standing several feet from the wall, which also helps to avoid shadows behind you.

Background

The background must be white or off-white, free of shadows, and plain, with no texture, objects or lines. Blue backgrounds and patterned walls are shown as examples of what is not accepted.

The State Department's tip is simple: cover a non-white wall with a white blanket or sheet. If you use a wheelchair, part of the head support may appear in the photo. Include a note with your application explaining why the background is not fully white.

Do not edit the photo

This is the rule people miss most easily. The page asks for the original, unchanged photo, and says not to change it with computer software, phone apps or filters. It also says all photos are checked for digital changes.

Its examples are specific. A background replaced with a retouching tool is listed as unacceptable, because it changes the outline of the head, face and neck. So is a photo that looks fine but was created with digital technology from an unacceptable original. If your background is wrong, the page's advice is to fix your lighting and background and take a new photo.

This means you should not use a background remover for a US passport photo, including ours. We switch that option off for this document.

Cropping to the right size

The State Department offers its own free photo tool that crops a photo to the right size. It says this tool is only for applying or renewing with a paper form, and should not be used if you are renewing online. It also says the tool does not check the quality of your image, and that a State Department employee decides whether your photo is accepted.

Our photo tool can also crop to this size in your browser. Either way, the result is only as good as the original photo.

Face, pose and expression

• Face the camera directly, with your full face in view and your head not tilted.
• Keep the colored parts of your eyes clearly visible, and do not let your hair cover them.
• Keep your eyes open and your mouth closed.
• Avoid exaggerated expressions. The page shows a neutral expression as its standard, and also says you can smile as long as your eyes are open and your mouth is closed. A neutral expression is the safer choice.

Glasses, hats and clothing

Glasses: take off eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses, and do not rest them on your head. If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, include a signed note from your doctor.

Hats and head coverings: take them off, unless you wear one for religious or medical reasons.

• For religious reasons, submit a signed statement that it is religious attire worn daily in public.
• For medical reasons, submit a signed doctor's statement.
• Your full face must be visible, with no shadows or parts of your face blocked.
• The covering should be one color, with no patterns or small holes.

Face coverings: take off any face covering or medical mask.

Clothing and accessories: you cannot wear a uniform, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage. Headphones and wireless hands-free devices are not allowed. Jewelry and facial piercings are fine, as long as they do not hide your face.

Lighting and quality

Your face should have uniform lighting, with accurate skin tones and no shadows. Avoid overhead lights and lights placed far to one side, because both can cast shadows. Light that is too bright or too dim is also a problem.

The photo must be high resolution, and not blurry, grainy or pixelated. There should be no visible printer dots. Set your camera to its highest quality setting before you take the photo.

Printing

Print the photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. Do not submit photocopies or digitally scanned photos, and do not submit a photo with red eye, holes, creases or smudges. You submit 1 color photo.

Babies and toddlers

No other person can be in the photo. For the background, lay your child on a plain white or off-white sheet, or cover a car seat with the sheet. There should be no shadows on the face, and the child must face the camera with a neutral expression and the full face visible. A baby's eyes do not have to be fully open, but all other children must have their eyes open.

Where to get the photo taken

The page lists three options: an acceptance facility that takes photos when you apply, any company that offers photo services, or a friend or family member. Fees vary.

How a US visa photo is different

A US visa photo is not always the same as a passport photo, so do not reuse the rules without checking. The visa photo page and its digital image requirements add these:

• Digital images must be square, from 600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200 pixels.
• They must be JPEG files of 240 kB or less.
• The head must be 50 to 69 percent of the image height.
• The Diversity Visa entry photo must be exactly 600 x 600 pixels.

Before you apply

Check your photo against the official page, because rules can change. You can see the same rules and sources for every document on our United States page.