US Passport Photos [Size, Requirements, Examples & Online Photo Maker]

Welcome to Passport Photo Online—your professional pocket-size passport photo maker. Our primary goal is to deliver high-quality biometric pictures to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Here, you’ll learn some insights on US passport photos—an inseparable part of your first-time adult or baby passport application or renewal process. Read on to discover the official requirements, tips to make a compliant passport picture and look good in it at the same time, as well as a list of places where you can get your passport pictures. Spoiler alert: One of them is your home!

What are the photo requirements for a passport?

A well-prepared passport photo will protect your application from being rejected by the US Department of State. Here’s a list of the most essential requirements you should follow to ensure a compliant US passport picture:

• Size: 2x2 inches (51x51 millimeters)
• Head size: 1–1 ⅜ inches (25–35 millimeters)
• Backdrop color: Plain white or off-white background
• Resolution: At least 300 DPI
• Recency: Last 6 months
• Prints: Matte or glossy photo-quality paper

You cannot alter, edit, or enhance your passport picture in any way—it must represent your current, natural appearance and reflect natural skin tones.

Ensure there are no shadows in your passport picture, whether in the background or on your face. Your facial features must be fully visible, your head must be straight, and you must look directly at the camera.

For your baby passport photos, the official passport photo rules are more lenient—very young children, infants, and newborns can have their eyes closed, mouths slightly open, and they can look away from the camera. However, you must ensure that the baby’s face is fully visible.

If you’re eligible for an online passport renewal, please pay attention to these digital passport image specifications as well:

• Digital dimensions: 600x600–1200x1200 pixels
• File size: Up to 240 KB
• File format: JPEG
• In color (sRGB color space)

US passport photo guidelines

Technical US passport photo regulations are one thing. There are also official guidelines—the ones you must follow—and some suggestions for you to try. After all, who doesn’t want to have a great 10-year photo?

Here, you’ll find some tips and guidelines regarding the dress code, hair, and general appearance acceptable for your US passport pictures.

1. While a neutral facial expression is preferred, you can smile in your passport photo. Just do it gently and ensure your mouth is closed.
2. Wear your hair however you like. Be careful about voluminous hair (your hairstyle must fit the picture’s frame) and hair that could cover your facial features. You can use hair accessories but they cannot be visible in the photo.
3. Choose a comfortable, everyday outfit for your passport picture. Avoid camouflage attire, uniforms, and anything that may obscure your facial features. Head coverings are forbidden unless for medical or religious reasons.
4. It’s okay to wear jewelry for your passport image. However, ensure there’s no glare, and they don’t obscure your facial features. Some facial piercings are acceptable. 
5. Take off your glasses for a passport picture. If you must wear them for medical reasons, provide your photographer with a signed doctor’s statement verifying your condition.
6. You can wear makeup for your US passport photo. However, keep in mind that a biometric picture must reflect your natural skin tones. Avoid bright colors, lipsticks, dark eyeshadows, and fake eyelashes.

Where to get US passport photos

Across the country, you can get your passport pictures in most retail stores, pharmacies, post offices, and shipping companies.

Check out some of the most popular passport photo services in the US:

• Walgreens passport photo
• CVS passport photo
• Walmart passport photo
• UPS passport photo
• USPS passport photo

Moreover, you can easily find a passport photo provider in your city or the nearest area by typing “passport photos near me” into your preferred search engine.

All these options, however, will cost you time (you need to get there first and probably wait in line) and money (if not petrol, then keep in mind that most passport picture providers charge about $14.00 for passport photos without digital images). Is there anything you can do to reduce these costs?

Well, the real question you might be asking is, “Can I take a passport photo on my phone?”

Let us answer with a short—yes!

Keep reading to find out more.

How can I take a passport photo on my own?

If you prefer to stay home and save time, we have some good news for you. The only thing you need to take your US passport pictures is your own smartphone (or a digital camera). You can do it anywhere, from your living room to the office or garden. Then, leave the rest to professionals.

Thanks to Passport Photo Online, you can get your high-resolution photo without leaving your home. We will automatically convert your picture into a passport-size photo and ensure it meets all the official requirements.