What Should a U.S. Passport Photo Look Like? Requirements and Tips

A U.S. passport photo should be a recent, clear color image that shows the applicant’s full face against a plain white or off-white background. The standard printed photo is 2 by 2 inches, with the head positioned within specific size limits. Clothing, glasses, shadows, digital edits, and facial expression can all affect whether a photo is accepted. Knowing the rules before taking or printing a picture can help prevent delays in a passport application.

What a U.S. Passport Photo Should Look Like

A compliant passport photo shows one person facing the camera directly, with the head centered and both eyes open. The image must be in color and taken within the last six months so it reflects the applicant’s current appearance. The background should be plain white or off-white, without patterns, objects, or visible shadows.

For a printed application, the photo must measure exactly 2 by 2 inches. The applicant’s head, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 1 and 1⅜ inches tall. The face should be fully visible, and the head should not be tilted or turned.

The U.S. Department of State allows either a neutral facial expression or a natural smile. In either case, both eyes must be open, and the applicant should look directly at the camera. A passport photo should resemble a straightforward portrait, not a social-media image or a heavily posed headshot.

U.S. Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance

Photo Size, Head Position, and Framing

Correct framing is one of the most important passport photo rules. The applicant’s face should be centered in the frame, with enough space around the head to meet the required head-size measurement. The photo should include the top of the head and the shoulders, rather than cropping tightly around the face.

For a printed photo, the full image is 2 inches wide by 2 inches high. The head must measure 1 to 1⅜ inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. The State Department also specifies that eye height should be between 1⅛ and 1⅜ inches from the bottom of the photo. These measurements help keep the face at a consistent scale for identity checks.

The applicant should face the camera straight on. A profile, three-quarter view, tilted head, or face positioned too far to one side may not meet the requirements. Hair can remain in its usual style, but it should not obscure the eyes or make it difficult to see the outline of the face.

For a digital photo submitted through an online passport process, the image must meet the portal’s current file and image specifications. Digital requirements can differ from printed-photo measurements, so applicants should check the instructions for the particular application before uploading. A compliant image file still needs the correct background, pose, lighting, and unaltered appearance.

Background, Lighting, and Image Quality

The background must be plain white or off-white. A blank wall can work if it has no visible texture, decorations, lines, or color cast. The subject should stand or sit far enough from the background to reduce shadows behind the head and shoulders.

Lighting should be even across the face. Strong side lighting can create shadows, while direct flash may cause glare or bright spots. The image should not be too dark, washed out, blurry, grainy, or overexposed. A sharp photo with natural skin tones makes facial features easier to identify.

Use a camera or smartphone capable of producing a clear, high-resolution image. The camera should be at eye level, and the applicant should look into the lens rather than at the screen. A tripod or another person can help keep the camera steady and make the framing more accurate.

Clothing, Glasses, and Head Coverings

Applicants should wear ordinary everyday clothing. Uniforms and clothing that looks like a uniform are not allowed, although clothing worn daily for religious reasons is permitted. The State Department recommends avoiding white or very light clothing because it can blend into the background.

Glasses are generally not allowed in U.S. passport photos. A medical exception may be considered if the applicant cannot remove them for medical reasons. In that case, the application should include a statement signed by a medical professional. Even when an exception applies, the frames must not obscure the eyes, and there must be no glare or reflection on the lenses.

Religious head coverings are permitted when worn daily for religious reasons. The applicant must provide a signed statement confirming that the covering is part of customary religious attire worn in public. A head covering worn for medical reasons may also be allowed with a signed statement from a doctor. In either situation, the covering must not hide the face; the face should be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead.

Headphones, earbuds, and similar devices should be removed. Avoid hats and other nonreligious headwear. If an accessory or hairstyle casts a shadow on the face or conceals facial features, it may make the photo unsuitable.

Facial Expression and Other Photo Rules

The applicant may use a neutral expression or a natural smile. Both eyes must be open, and the mouth should not be open in a way that changes the face’s appearance. A forced grin, exaggerated expression, or pose that turns the face away from the camera is best avoided.

The image must show the applicant’s actual appearance. Do not use filters, beauty effects, retouching, or other digital changes to alter facial features, skin tone, or background. Do not remove blemishes digitally, combine images, or submit a photo that has been copied from another document. The photo should be a recent, unaltered portrait.

For a printed application, submit one photo that has been printed on photo-quality paper, either matte or glossy. Do not staple the photo to the form. Follow the application instructions for attaching it; the State Department advises applicants to use four staples vertically in the corners as directed. Photo acceptance is determined by the passport agency, so following the current form instructions matters as much as taking a good picture.

Passport Photos for Babies and Young Children

Infants and children must meet the same basic photo requirements as adults, including a plain background and a clear view of the face. The child should be the only person visible. A parent’s hands, a toy, a car seat, or another object should not appear in the image.

For a baby who cannot sit upright, the State Department suggests placing the infant on a plain white or off-white sheet and taking the picture from above. The sheet should be smooth enough to avoid strong folds or shadows. The baby’s eyes should be open when possible; the Department notes that a newborn’s eyes do not have to be open. A photo showing an adult holding the child is not acceptable.

It can take several attempts to capture a clear, well-framed image of a young child. Check that the child’s face is not turned, partly covered, or hidden by a pacifier. For all applicants, the final photo should show a natural, recognizable appearance.

Common Reasons Passport Photos Are Rejected

• Incorrect dimensions: The printed image is not exactly 2 by 2 inches, or the head falls outside the required size range.
• Wrong background: The background is colored, patterned, cluttered, or marked by shadows.
• Poor image quality: The photo is blurry, too dark, overexposed, or pixelated.
• Bad framing or pose: The applicant is turned, tilted, off-center, or too close to the camera.
• Obstructed face: Hair, glasses, a hat, or a shadow covers part of the face or eyes.
• Digital alteration: A filter, retouching, or background replacement changes the image.
• Outdated photo: The picture is more than six months old or no longer reflects the applicant’s appearance.
• Extra people or objects: Another person, a toy, or a visible support appears in the image.

How to Take a Passport Photo at Home

A home setup can produce an acceptable passport photo if it follows the official rules. Choose a plain white or off-white wall, use even light, and place the camera at eye level. The applicant should stand a short distance from the wall to limit shadows. Avoid portrait-mode blur, filters, and automatic effects that alter the background or face.

1. Check the current State Department instructions for the application type.
2. Use a clear, color camera image taken within the past six months.
3. Position the applicant facing the camera with the head centered and eyes open.
4. Frame the photo to include the full head and shoulders, without cropping off the top of the head.
5. Review the background, lighting, expression, and any shadows before printing or uploading.
6. For a printed application, have the image produced as a 2-by-2-inch photo on photo-quality paper.

Retail pharmacies, shipping stores, and professional photographers often offer passport photo services. A service can help with measurements and printing, but the applicant should still review the image before submitting it. A store’s photo guarantee does not replace the government’s requirements.

Where to Check the Official Rules

Passport photo instructions can change, particularly for online applications and digital uploads. Applicants should verify the latest requirements on the U.S. Department of State’s passport photo requirements page before taking or submitting a photo. The official page includes photo examples and guidance about printed photos, digital images, glasses, religious head coverings, and children.

For a printed photo, the key checks are simple: it is a recent color image, measures 2 by 2 inches, has a plain white or off-white background, and shows the applicant’s face clearly within the required head-size range. A straightforward, unedited photo that follows those rules is the best starting point for a successful passport application.