US passport photo requirements

Your US passport photo must be 2 × 2 inches, in colour, on a white or off-white background, and must not be edited in any way. Here is every rule, checked against the State Department's website.

Checked against travel.state.gov: Passport photos on 30 October 2026.

The rules at a glance

Photo size
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm)
Head height
1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm), chin to top of hair
Eye height
1⅛ to 1⅜ inches (28–35 mm) from the bottom of the photo
Background
Plain white or off-white, no shadows or texture
Colour
Colour photo only
Glasses
Not allowed
Expression
Neutral or a natural smile, both eyes open
Editing
Not allowed: no filters, retouching or background changes
Print
Matte or glossy photo-quality paper, no photocopies or scans

What gets photos rejected

  • No editing of any kind

    The State Department checks every photo for digital changes. Filters, skin smoothing, and cutting out or replacing the background all lead to rejection.

  • White or off-white background only

    Grey, cream or light blue walls are not accepted. Shadows on the wall behind you are a common reason for rejection.

  • Remove your glasses

    Glasses are not allowed, even if you wear them every day.

  • Head size must be in range

    From the bottom of your chin to the top of your hair must measure 1 to 1⅜ inches on the printed photo.

  • Hats and head coverings

    Not allowed, unless worn every day for religious or medical reasons. Your full face must stay visible.

  • Submit an original photo

    Don't scan or photograph a printed photo. Print on photo-quality paper.

How to take it at home

  1. Pick the right wall

    Stand about half a metre in front of a plain white or off-white wall with nothing on it. Step away from the wall so your shadow does not fall on it.

  2. Face the light

    Stand facing a window or soft lamp so both sides of your face are evenly lit. Avoid overhead light, which casts shadows under the eyes.

  3. Get someone to take it

    Ask someone to hold the phone at your eye level, about 1–1.5 m away. A selfie at arm's length makes the nose look bigger.

  4. Check your face

    Remove glasses (they are not allowed), keep hair away from your eyes and look straight at the camera with a neutral face or a natural smile, both eyes open.

  5. Size and check it

    Use our photo maker to crop it to 2 × 2 inches and check every rule. We never edit your face or background.

Questions

Can I take my US passport photo at home?

Yes. The State Department accepts photos taken by anyone, as long as they meet every requirement. Use a plain white wall, even light, and have someone else take the photo.

Can I smile in my US passport photo?

A natural smile is allowed. Keep both eyes open and avoid a wide, exaggerated smile.

Can a passport photo app remove my background?

It is risky. The State Department checks photos for digital changes and does not accept edited photos. Its own examples list a background cut out with a retouching tool as unacceptable. Take the photo in front of a real white wall instead.

How many photos do I need?

One photo for a new passport or a renewal by mail.

Official source: travel.state.gov: Passport photos (U.S. Department of State). Rules can change, so check the official page before you apply.