U.S. passport photo: size, rules, and how to take one
A U.S. passport photo must show your face clearly and meet the State Department’s size and pose rules. Paper applications need one printed color photo; online renewal uses a digital upload with its own file requirements.[1][2]
Photo size and head position
For a paper application, the photo must be 2 × 2 inches (50.8 × 50.8 mm). In the printed photo, your head must measure between 1 and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. Center your head and shoulders, keep your whole head in view, and do not tilt your head. The State Department does not give a separate eye-height or top-margin measurement.[1]
There is no fixed pixel size or dpi listed for passport photos. For online renewal, the page lets you upload an image and crop it in the application. Follow the upload instructions and check the preview before submitting.[2]
Background and light
Use a plain white or off-white background. It should have no shadows, textures, or objects. Stand several feet in front of the wall so your shadow does not fall on it.[1]
Light your face evenly. The photo should be clear, show skin tones accurately, and have no shadows on your face or background. Avoid light that is too bright or too dim; both can make the image hard to use.[1]
Face, eyes, glasses, and clothing
For a paper photo, face the camera with a neutral expression, both eyes open and visible, and your mouth closed. Online renewal allows a neutral expression or a natural smile. Keep your pupils and irises visible, and make sure hair does not cover your eyes.[1][2]
Take off glasses, sunglasses, and tinted glasses. If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, include a signed note from your doctor with your application. Do not rest glasses on your head.[1]
Do not wear a hat or head covering unless it is for religious or medical purposes. With a paper application, include the required signed statement about the religious or medical reason. Your full face must remain visible, without shadows or blocked features. Remove masks and other face coverings. Do not wear a uniform, camouflage, headphones, or a wireless hands-free device in or on your ears.[1]
Photos of babies and children
A baby’s eyes do not need to be entirely open. All other children must have their eyes open. A child should face the camera, have a neutral expression, and appear alone in the photo. Online renewal permits a natural smile as well as a neutral expression.[1][2]
Take the photo at home
Ask another person to take the picture if you can. Set the camera at eye level, about 4 feet (1.2 m) away, and use its highest quality setting. Stand several feet from a white or off-white wall. Face the camera straight on and keep your head centered.[1]
Use even light across your face; daylight from a window can help. Take several pictures, then choose one that is sharp, not too bright or dark, and free of shadows, red eye, and color tint. Do not use filters or retouching. For a paper application, the State Department requires the original, unedited photo; the online renewal page also says to upload an original photo.[1][2]
Check the head size after cropping or printing: from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head, it must be 25–35 mm (1–1⅜ inches) on the final paper photo. The full photo must measure 2 × 2 inches. The tool above can help prepare a crop, but check the final dimensions yourself.[1]
Print or upload
For a paper application, print one color photo taken within the last six months on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. The photo must be sharp and high resolution, with no visible printer dots.[1]
To use a 4 × 6-inch kiosk print, place your passport photo crop on a 4 × 6-inch sheet, print at actual size with no fit-to-page resizing, and cut out the 2 × 2-inch square. Measure the cut photo and head height before sending it with your application. The State Department requires one photo; a multi-photo sheet is just a way to arrange the print.[1]
For online renewal, upload a digital photo between 54 KB and 10 MB. The upload page accepts several image file types and provides a crop step; it does not state fixed pixel dimensions. Check that the image meets the on-screen requirements and upload it through your renewal application.[2]
Common reasons for refusal
Photos may be rejected if the head is too large, too small, off-center, tilted, or partly cut off; if the background is not plain white or off-white; or if shadows, blur, grain, poor exposure, or wrong color make your face hard to see. Closed or covered eyes, an open mouth, glasses, red eye, and a face covering can also cause problems.[1]
Do not submit a photocopy, a scanned photo, or a print with holes, creases, or smudges. Filters, digital changes, stretched images, or AI changes can also make a photo unacceptable. The State Department decides whether a photo meets its requirements.[1]
Frequently asked questions
What size is a U.S. passport photo?
For a paper application, it is 2 × 2 inches (50.8 × 50.8 mm). Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be 1–1⅜ inches (25–35 mm).[1]
Can I smile in my passport photo?
For a paper photo, use a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Online renewal allows a neutral expression or a natural smile.[1][2]
Can I wear glasses in a U.S. passport photo?
Remove them. If you cannot remove them for medical reasons, include a signed note from your doctor with your application.[1]
Can I take my passport photo at home?
Yes. Take an original, unedited photo against a plain white or off-white background with even light, then check the crop, head height, and final size.[1]
What file size does an online passport photo need to be?
For online renewal, the file must be between 54 KB and 10 MB. The State Department does not specify fixed pixel dimensions on the upload page.[2]