US passport photo requirements
Photos are the number one reason the State Department puts passport applications on hold. Everything below is taken from the official travel.state.gov passport photo page (last updated March 2026). PassPhotoSnap is an independent tool and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State.
At a glance
| Print size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), colour, on matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Head size | 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no shadows, texture, objects or lines |
| Glasses | Not allowed. Only with a signed doctor's note if they cannot be removed for medical reasons |
| Expression | Facing the camera, head not tilted, eyes open, mouth closed. A natural smile is fine |
| Age of photo | Taken in the last 6 months |
| Editing | None. No filters, retouching, or digital background changes |
Where the photo goes
- First passport, child passport, or not eligible to renew by mail (Form DS-11): apply in person at a passport acceptance facility (many post offices and county clerks). Bring one printed 2 × 2 photo; many facilities can take it for a fee.
- Renewal by mail (Form DS-82): attach one printed 2 × 2 photo to the form.
- Online renewal at opr.travel.state.gov: upload a digital photo instead. The rules for that file are different; see digital passport photos.
The background rule matters more than people think
The State Department says to submit the original, unedited photo and explicitly lists a background changed with software as unacceptable, including photos where the outline of the head has been cut out. If your wall is not white, its advice is to cover it with a white sheet or blanket and take a new photo. So for a US passport:
- Shoot against a plain white or off-white wall, standing several feet in front of it so you do not cast a shadow.
- In PassPhotoSnap, choose Keep original for the background. Use the tool for what it is allowed to do here: checking head size and framing, and making a correctly sized 2 × 2 crop or 4 × 6 print sheet.
Clothing, hats and other details
- No uniforms, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage. No headphones or wireless earpieces.
- Hats and head coverings only for religion (with a signed statement that you wear it daily in public) or medical reasons (with a doctor's statement). The full face must be visible, with no shadows.
- Jewellery and facial piercings are fine if they do not hide your face. Hair may go past the edge of the photo as long as the whole head is shown.
- Babies: no other person in the photo; a baby's eyes do not have to be fully open.
For printing tips, see printing a 2 × 2 photo on a 4 × 6 sheet. Before you submit, run through the rejection self-check.