Photos for American Samoa Documents: Passport, ID, and License Requirements
Getting the right photo for your official documents in American Samoa depends on the specific application you are submitting. This guide covers the rules for passports, driver's licenses, identity certificates, and immigration cards.
U.S. Passports for Adults and Children
If you live in American Samoa and need to apply for a U.S. passport, your photo must follow strict federal regulations. The photo size must measure exactly 51 by 51 millimeters[1].
Your head height from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head must measure between 25.4 and 34.925 millimeters[1]. The supplied facts list printed submission for both adult and child passport photos[1].
When you prepare this picture, use a plain white or off-white background with no patterns or shadows. Stand about two meters away from the camera and look straight ahead with both eyes open.
American Samoa Certificates of Identity
Applying for a Certificate of Identity requires a different photo dimension than a U.S. passport. The official photo size for this travel document is 50.8 by 50.8 millimeters[2].
The cited Department of Legal Affairs page does not establish a head-height measurement or a printed-photo submission rule for this document[2]. Keep your shoulders squared to the camera and maintain a neutral facial expression while taking this shot.
Driver's Licenses in American Samoa
A local driver's license requires a different photo format altogether. The common size for a driver's license photo is 35 by 45 millimeters[3].
The supplied facts list 35×45 mm as a common size for a driver’s licence photo, with no official head-height measurement. They list printed submission[3]. Check the current application instructions for framing details.
Immigration ID Cards
The supplied facts list 50.8×50.8 mm as a common size for an American Samoa immigration ID card photo[4].
The supplied facts do not set a head-height measurement for this photo[4]. Confirm the submission format with the current application instructions. Double check your dimensions before you print the image out.
Taking Your Photo at Home
You can take your own photo at home before you print it out. Stand facing a bright window so your face gets even light without harsh shadows.
Ask a friend or family member to take the picture instead of using a selfie camera. Keep the camera at your eye level about one to one and a half meters away from your face. Avoid wearing hats or dark glasses that block your facial features.
Formatting Your Photo Sheet
Once you take a good picture, you need to crop it to the correct dimensions for your specific form. You can use the tool above to crop your photo to the exact size you need.
The tool arranges your cropped photos onto a standard sheet. You can then save the sheet and print it as an ordinary four by six inch photo at any local photo kiosk. Check the print settings to print at one hundred percent scale so the dimensions stay correct.
Common Reasons Photos Get Refused
Many applications get delayed because the applicant looks away from the camera. Look straight ahead with a neutral facial expression and keep your mouth closed.
Check that your hair does not cover your eyes and remove your glasses if rules for your specific document require it. You can use the tool above to check your crop before printing. Poor lighting or heavy shadows on your face are also common reasons for rejection.
Before You Go to the Office
When visiting the office to submit your forms, bring extra printed copies just in case. Keep your printed sheets flat inside a folder so they do not bend or crease.
If the staff members take the photo on-site, listen carefully to their instructions regarding your posture and clothing.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a U.S. passport photo in American Samoa?
The official size is 51 by 51 millimeters[1].
Do I need a digital or printed photo for a Certificate of Identity?
The cited Department of Legal Affairs page does not specify whether the photo must be printed or digital[2]. Check the current application instructions.
What is the size for an immigration ID card photo?
The common size is 50.8 by 50.8 millimeters[4].
Is there a specific head height for a driver's license photo?
The authority has not set a specific head height requirement for driver's licenses[3].
Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?
You should remove your glasses for official U.S. passport photos to avoid glare and frame obstruction[1].