A US passport photo is a color photo, 2 × 2 inches, taken in the last 6 months. Your head is 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top, you face the camera with your eyes open and your mouth closed, and the background is plain white or off-white. No glasses, and no edits.
The State Department says: “Unacceptable photos are the number one reason why we put passport applications on hold.” Below is every rule from its photo page, grouped by topic, with its own words in quotes.
All the rules at a glance
| Topic | The rule |
|---|---|
| Size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Head size | 1 to 1⅜ inches (25 to 35 mm), from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head |
| Age of the photo | Taken in the last 6 months |
| Color | Color photo. Skin tones look natural |
| Background | White or off-white, no shadows, no texture, objects, or lines |
| Light | Even light on the face, no shadows, not too bright, not too dark |
| Pose | Face the camera, head not tilted, full face visible |
| Expression | A smile is allowed. Eyes open, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not allowed, except with a signed doctor's note |
| Hats and head coverings | Not allowed, except for religious or medical reasons, with a signed statement |
| Clothing | No uniform, no clothing that looks like a uniform, no camouflage |
| Jewelry and piercings | Allowed if they do not hide your face |
| Headphones | Not allowed |
| Edits | None. No apps, filters, or retouching |
| Paper | Matte or glossy photo-quality paper. No photocopies or scans |
Size and head position
- “The correct printed size of a passport photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).”
- “The size of your head in the printed photo must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.”
- “Make sure your head and shoulders are centered in the photo.”
- “Your hair may extend past the edges of the photo, as long as your entire head is shown and is the appropriate size.”
The head size is the rule that a photo taken at home fails most often, because the phone is too close or too far. The State Department says: “Photos that are taken too close or too far away will be rejected.” The exact sizes in pixels are in the passport photo size guide.
Background
- “Background must be white or off-white, free of shadows, and plain without texture, objects, or lines.”
- “Tip: Use a white blanket or sheet to cover a non-white wall.”
- “Position yourself several feet away from the wall.”
Do not replace the background with an app. That is a digital change, and the State Department checks for it (see “Edits” below).
Light and shadows
- “Have uniform lighting on your face.”
- “Avoid placing overhead lighting or lights too far off to the side. This can cast shadows on your face, obscuring your facial features.”
- “Make sure lighting isn’t too bright which can make your image overexposed, or too dim which can make your image underexposed.”
Can you smile in a passport photo?
Yes. The State Department says: “Avoid exaggerated facial expressions. You can smile in your photo. Just make sure your eyes are open and your mouth is closed.” Your eyes must be visible: “The colored portions of your eyes must be clearly visible. Make sure that your eyes are not obstructed or covered by your hair.”
Children are different. For a child, “The child's facial expression must be neutral.”
Can you wear glasses in a passport photo?
No. “Take off any eyeglasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses. Do not rest them on your head for the photo.” The only exception: “If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with your application.”
Hats, head coverings, and face coverings
“Take off your hat or head covering.” For a religious head covering, “submit a signed statement that says it is religious attire worn daily in public.” For a medical one, submit “a signed doctor's statement that says you wear it for medical purposes.” If you wear one, your full face must be visible, with no shadows, and the covering “should be one color” without patterns or small holes. “Take off any face covering or medical mask.”
Clothing, jewelry, piercings, and headphones
- “You cannot wear a uniform, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage clothing.”
- “You can wear jewelry and keep on your facial piercings as long as they do not hide your face.”
- “You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices in or on your ears.”
Edits, filters, and AI
“Submit the original, unchanged photo. Do not change your photo using computer software, phone apps or filters. We check all photos to ensure they were not digitally enhanced or altered.” This includes background replacement, skin smoothing, and beauty modes. Cropping the photo to size does not change the photo.
Quality and paper
- “Submit a high-resolution color photo that is not blurry, grainy, or pixelated. The photo should not have visible printer dots.”
- “Prior to taking your photo, set your camera to the highest quality setting.”
- “Print your photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper.”
- “Do not submit photocopies or digitally scanned photos.” No red eye, and no photo with holes, creases, or smudges.
Babies and toddlers
- “For background, place your child on a plain white or off-white sheet. You can also cover a car seat with the sheet, then place your child in the car seat for the photo.”
- “No other person can be in the photo.”
- “It is okay if a baby's eyes are not entirely open. All other children must have their eyes open.”
Step-by-step help for a baby is on the baby passport photo page.
Who can take the photo?
The State Department lists three options: an acceptance facility “that will take a photo when you apply for your passport”, “Any company that offers photo services”, and “A friend or family member”. So you can take the photo at home. See how to take a passport photo at home.
Do you need a new photo after a change in appearance?
Only for a big change. The State Department lists “Significant facial surgery or trauma”, “Adding or removing many large facial piercings or tattoos”, and “Significant weight loss or gain”. A beard, a new hair color, and normal aging do not need a new passport.
Online renewal and visa photos
The online renewal takes a digital file, not a print. The DS-160 visa form takes a square JPEG of 240 KB or less. See the renewal photo page and the DS-160 photo page.
Source: travel.state.gov, Passport Photos. Page updated March 24, 2026. Read on October 19, 2026. PassPose is not a government site. The office that takes your application decides if it accepts the photo.