Quick Reference: US Passport Photo Specs
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Printed size | 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51mm) |
| Digital dimensions | Min 600x600px, Max 1200x1200px (square) |
| File format | JPEG (.jpg/.jpeg) or HEIF |
| File size | 54KB – 10MB |
| Head height | 1 to 1-3/8 inches (25–35mm) from chin to crown |
| Background | White or off-white |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Recency | Taken within last 6 months |
| Glasses | NOT allowed (since November 2016) |
Digital Photo Requirements
If you're renewing your US passport online or submitting a digital application, you'll need to upload a digital photo. The U.S. State Department has specific technical requirements for digital passport photos:
Technical Specifications
- Dimensions: Between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels (must be square)
- File format: JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg) or HEIF
- File size: Between 54KB and 10MB
- Color: Must be in color (not black and white)
- Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square). The photo will be printed as a 2x2 inch square.
US Visa Photo Specifications
If you need a photo for a US visa application, the requirements are the same as passport photos: 600x600 to 1200x1200 pixels, JPEG format, 54KB–10MB file size. The State Department uses the same photo standards for both passports and visas.
Composition Rules
Your photo must show your full face, centered in the frame, from the top of your hair to below your chin. The head must be between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches (25–35mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. Your eyes should be between 1-1/8 inches and 1-3/8 inches from the bottom of the photo.
Do
- • Take photo against a plain white background
- • Face the camera directly
- • Keep both eyes open and visible
- • Ensure even lighting on your face
- • Use natural daylight when possible
Don't
- • Use filters, AI tools, or edit the photo
- • Have shadows on your face or background
- • Include other people or objects
- • Wear glasses of any kind
- • Use a photo older than 6 months
Printed Photo Requirements
If you're applying by mail or in person at a passport acceptance facility, you'll need to submit a printed photo. The State Department requires the following specifications:
Size Specifications
- Photo size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51mm) — must be square
- Head height: 1 to 1-3/8 inches (25–35mm) from chin to crown of head
- Eye position: Eyes between 1-1/8 and 1-3/8 inches from bottom of photo
- Quantity: 1 photo required (some facilities may request 2)
Print Quality Requirements
- Printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper
- No borders around the photo
- No creases, tears, smudges, or marks
- Photocopies are not accepted — must be an original print
- Home-printed photos are acceptable only if printed on photo paper at high quality
Important
Do not staple, paper-clip, or tape the photo to your application. Place the photo loosely in the envelope. Write your name and date of birth lightly in pencil on the back of the photo.
Appearance Rules
These rules apply to both digital and printed photos. The State Department uses facial recognition technology to verify your identity, so following these rules precisely is critical to avoid rejection.
Face & Expression
- Neutral expression with mouth closed — no grinning or exaggerated expressions
- A slight, natural smile is acceptable as long as your mouth stays closed
- Both eyes must be open and clearly visible
- Face the camera directly — head should not be tilted or turned
- No hair covering your eyes or face
- Nothing covering your face (masks, face paint, etc.)
Background
- Plain white or off-white background
- No patterns, textures, or gradients
- No objects or other people visible
- No shadows on the background
- Ensure clear contrast between you and the white background
Lighting
- Even, balanced lighting on your face
- No shadows on your face or on the background behind you
- No red-eye effect
- Natural daylight is usually best — face a window for even illumination
- Avoid overhead lighting that creates undereye shadows
Photo Editing & AI
No Filters or AI Editing (Strict Enforcement Since January 2026)
The State Department has significantly increased enforcement against digitally altered passport photos since January 2026. Photos processed with beauty filters, AI face-editing tools, background replacement apps, or any form of digital retouching will be rejected. The automated screening system can detect AI-generated modifications, and submitting an altered photo may delay your application by weeks.
Babies & Children: Special Rules
Taking passport photos of babies and young children is one of the most challenging parts of a child's passport application. For a complete step-by-step guide, see our baby passport photo guide. Here's what you need to know:
Photo Requirements for Infants
- Same 2 x 2 inch size requirement as adults
- No other person can be visible in the photo — no hands, arms, or fingers
- Lay baby on a plain white sheet or blanket and photograph from above
- A car seat covered with a white sheet also works well as support
- Baby's eyes should ideally be open, but infants' eyes being slightly closed is often accepted
Children Under 16
- All children under 16 must apply in person with both parents (or with evidence of sole custody)
- Child passports are valid for 5 years (not 10 years like adults)
- Cannot renew by mail — must apply as a new passport each time
Rules That Still Apply to All Children
- Child must be the only person in the photo
- No toys, pacifiers, blankets, or hats
- Same background and quality requirements as adults
- Photo must be taken within the last 6 months
Tips for Baby Photos
- Time it right — take the photo after a nap when your baby is calm and alert
- Use a white sheet — lay baby on a plain white sheet on a flat surface or in a car seat
- Natural light — position near a window but avoid direct sunlight that causes squinting
- Photograph from above — stand directly over the baby looking down
- Take many shots — babies are unpredictable, so take dozens of photos and pick the best
Glasses & Head Coverings
Glasses Are Banned
Since November 1, 2016, the U.S. State Department does not allow glasses in passport photos. This includes prescription glasses, reading glasses, and any other eyewear. The ban was implemented after glasses caused over 200,000 processing delays in 2015 due to glare, reflections, and frames obscuring facial features used by biometric matching systems.
Not Allowed
- • Prescription glasses
- • Reading glasses
- • Sunglasses
- • Tinted or transition lenses
- • Blue-light blocking glasses
- • Any eyewear on top of head
Medical Exception
- • A signed statement from your doctor is required
- • Statement must confirm glasses cannot be removed
- • Eyes must still be clearly visible
- • No glare or reflections on lenses
Religious Headwear
Religious head coverings are permitted in US passport photos, including hijabs, turbans, yarmulkes, and other religious headwear. However, you must meet these requirements:
- You must include a signed statement confirming the head covering is worn daily for religious purposes
- Your full face must be visible — from chin to the top of your forehead, and both sides
- The covering must not cast shadows on your face
- No face veil — the face cannot be obscured in any way
Medical Headwear
Head coverings worn for medical reasons (such as for alopecia or post-surgery recovery) are also permitted with a signed medical statement from your doctor. The same rules apply: your full face must be visible and the covering must not cast shadows.
Never Allowed
- • Hats (baseball caps, beanies, fashion hats)
- • Headphones or earbuds
- • Hair accessories that obscure the face
- • Any non-religious, non-medical head covering
Common Reasons Photos Get Rejected
Photo problems are one of the most common causes of passport application delays. According to the State Department, a significant percentage of first-time applicants submit non-compliant photos. Here are the top rejection reasons:
Wearing glasses
The #1 cause of rejection since the 2016 ban—remove all eyewear
Incorrect head size
Head must be 1 to 1-3/8 inches from chin to crown—too close or too far causes rejection
Shadows on face or background
Uneven lighting creating visible shadows anywhere in the photo
Wrong background
Background must be plain white or off-white—no colors, patterns, or objects
Blurry or out of focus
Photo must be sharp and clear with no motion blur
Wrong expression
Mouth open, broad smile, eyes closed, or looking away from camera
Hair covering eyes or face
Both eyes and full face from chin to hairline must be completely visible
AI or filter editing detected
Beauty filters, background swaps, or any digital alteration—strictly enforced since January 2026
Wrong dimensions
Photo not 2x2 inches (printed) or not within 600x600 to 1200x1200 pixels (digital)
Photo older than 6 months
Must reflect your current appearance—taken within the last 6 months
Uniforms or camouflage
No military uniforms, airline uniforms, or camouflage clothing
Red-eye
Red-eye in the photo or digitally corrected red-eye—both are rejected
What Happens If Your Photo Is Rejected?
If your photo doesn't meet requirements, the State Department will send you a letter requesting a new photo. Your application is placed on hold until a compliant photo is received. This can add 4–6 weeks to your processing time.
- No additional fee — you don't pay again for the photo resubmission
- Your application is held — it won't be processed until a valid photo is received
- Processing time restarts — expect an additional 6–8 weeks from when they receive the new photo
- Expedited fees are not refunded — if you paid for expedited processing, the delay still applies
Where to Get US Passport Photos
You have several options for getting your passport photo taken in the United States. Prices and availability vary by location:
| Location | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USPS | $15.00 | Available at select Post Office locations; check usps.com for participating offices |
| Walmart | $7.44 | Photo center; one of the cheapest in-store options |
| AAA | $10–$15 | Free or discounted for AAA members at many locations |
| UPS Store | $11.99–$13.99 | Most locations offer passport photo service |
| FedEx Office | $14.95 | Digital and printed options available |
| CVS | $16.99 | Available at most CVS Pharmacy locations |
| Walgreens | $16.99 | Available at most Walgreens locations |
| EasyPassportPhoto Online — from your phone | $9.99 | Take from home, instant compliance check, digital + printable, money-back guarantee |
Discontinued Services
Costco and Target have discontinued their in-store passport photo services. If you previously used these locations, you'll need to choose an alternative from the list above.
Why Take Your Photo Online?
Online passport photo services like EasyPassportPhoto offer several advantages over in-store options:
- Cheaper — $9.99 compared to $15-$17 at pharmacies
- Convenient — take your photo from home, no driving or waiting in line
- Unlimited retakes — not happy with the first shot? Take as many as you need
- Compliance guaranteed — AI-powered checks ensure your photo meets all State Department requirements before you submit
- Both formats — get a digital file for online applications and a printable file for mail-in applications
US Passport Fees (2026)
US passport fees depend on whether you're applying for the first time, renewing, and whether you want a passport book, passport card, or both. Here are the current fees:
Adult Passport Fees (Age 16+)
| Application Type | Application Fee | Acceptance Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Passport Book | $130 | $35 | $165 |
| Passport Book Renewal | $130 | — | $130 |
| New Passport Card | $30 | $35 | $65 |
| Passport Card Renewal | $30 | — | $30 |
Child Passport Fees (Under 16)
| Application Type | Application Fee | Acceptance Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport Book | $100 | $35 | $135 |
| Passport Card | $15 | $35 | $50 |
Expedited Processing & Delivery
| Service | Additional Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Expedited Processing | +$60 | 5–7 weeks (vs. 8–13 standard) |
| 1-3 Day Delivery | +$22.05 | Faster shipping once passport is ready |
Note: The $35 acceptance facility fee applies to all new passports and is paid directly to the facility (Post Office, library, etc.), not to the State Department. Renewals by mail do not require this fee. Processing times may vary based on demand.
Standard Processing Times
- Routine processing: 8–13 weeks
- Expedited processing: 5–7 weeks
- Urgent/emergency travel: Same-day appointments available at regional passport agencies if traveling within 14 days
During peak travel season (January through summer), processing times may be longer. The State Department recommends applying at least 5–6 months before planned international travel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Official Sources
This guide is based on official U.S. government guidance. For the most up-to-date requirements, always check the official sources: