U.S. Passport Photo Tool
Prepare the perfect passport photo with guaranteed acceptance!
What do you get?
You save time and money - take a biometric photo conveniently without leaving home
What do our users write about us?
The reviews come from our customer satisfaction surveys.
Our family has used this service three times for passport photos. Such a convenient service to send a picture with any background and they turn it in to a useable passport photo with white background and I don't have the leave the house. Turn around time has been minutes for a good photo and a couple hours at the most (assuming time difference is on your side maybe) if the photo needed a quick re-touch or they requested a new photo to be sent due to the first photo having a shadow or something that they didn't think would be accepted by the US Passport service. Great price and friendly communication back and forth. Highly recommend this service.
We used these company for US passport pictures. Excellent service. First an AI generated version is created that removes any type background and puts you on a simple white background. Then a human expert actually reviews the AI generated version to approve, or further corrects it. On our picture - the expert seemed to have some doubts about whether it was compliant, so he made a photoshop correction to remove the light glare from the forehead. Last but not least - the company offers a warranty for their service - If the photo gets rejected at the Passport Office, please send us official info and you’ll get 200% of the money you paid. Highly recommend!
Passport photo online is the best online software for your US Passport needs. It's very easy to upload and they will contact in email if there is any issues/changes require. I would recommend anyone who is checking online to convert your photos to passport photos accepted by immigration.
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U.S. Passport size photo - Digital photo requirements
Height: 2 in
- Head height: 1.29 in
- Bottom of the Photo to the Eye Line: 1.18 in
How to take a photo?
U.S. passport photo requirements
Just like all other official document photos, the U.S. passport photo must follow very particular guidelines. Here are the main and most important requirements to keep in mind when taking a photo for your U.S. passport:
- Neutral facial expression.
- You should directly face the camera with full face in view.
- Normal clothing. Extravagant outfits or uniforms might cause a photo rejection. Religious clothing, however, is allowed.
- Background should be white or off-white.
- Glasses, headphones, and other items should not be worn.
- The passport photo must have been taken within the last six (6) months.
Passport-style photos are biometric photos. This means that images analyze and download people's individual features and allow for quick and reliable identification. Therefore, when taking a biometric photo you should be positioned frontally and look straight ahead. Visibility of other people is never allowed, and the background requirements vary. But in most cases, it should be uniform and solid-colored. Specifications regarding glasses and head coverings are also usually the same, i.e. you have to pose without a hat and without glasses (if you wear prescription glasses you can keep them on, but make sure they don’t produce a glare, as this could cause your passport photos to be rejected).
U.S. passport photo - size and dimensions
Photo size for the U.S. passport must always have the dimensions of 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
The applicant has to remember that the distance from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin should be between 1 and 1,375 inches (i.e. 25-35 mm). The eye height of the person visible in the photo should also be between 1,125 - 1,375 inches (28-35 mm) from the bottom of the photo (not the bottom of chin).
Digital passport photo size
In the U.S. passport photo the face has to occupy a certain amount of space.. It is stated that the applicant's face (from the top of the head, including the hair, to the bottom of the chin) should occupy between 50% and 69% of the image's height.
Photo dimensions: the digital photo size is measured in pixels instead of inches/centimeters. The photo's pixel dimensions have to be in a square aspect ratio (i.e. the height needs to equal the width). The photo size has to be between 600x600 pixels and 1200x1200 pixels, meaning that a photo that is higher than 1200px in width/height will be rejected. The same applies if the photo's width/height is less than 600px.
Photo format: the only image format allowed is the JPEG file format. Make sure your image is not a PNG file - some cameras and photo editors save pictures in this format by default.
Photo file size and compression: moreover, the U.S. passport photo format cannot be more than 240kB (kilobytes) and it means that the image may need to be compressed in order to meet the maximum file size requirement. The compression ratio should be less than or equal to 20:1.
Photo color: The passport-style photo must be in color (24 bits per pixel) in sRGB color space, which is the common output for the majority of digital cameras.
U.S. passport photo background
It’s a common mistake to take a passport photo against a colored background. The official requirement says that a passport photo is acceptable only if taken in front of a plain background (white or off-white) considering the U.S. passport. There also cannot be any patterns on the wall you choose as your background. Also, check if there are no other objects behind you. The background must be uniform and white or off-white.
U.S. passport photo - lighting, sharpness, and contrast
The best option is to take your passport photos for your American passport in daylight instead of after dark using flash. This helps avoid the red-eye effect and makes the skin look natural. Both sides of your face have to be equally lighted. It means that there cannot be any shadows on the face. Make sure the lighting is not over-or underexposed. Your face must be clearly visible. Moreover, pay attention to the reflections - there cannot be any on your face. The photo has to be sharp with sufficient contrast and detail.
Passport photo printing and quality
Submit a high-resolution photo that is not blurry, grainy, or pixelated. The submission requirements state that the passport-style photo needs to be printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper. You cannot submit a damaged photo (e.g. with holes, creases, or smudges). Do not digitally beautify the picture, you can use the passport photo converters and cropping tools instead.
Glasses in a U.S. passport picture
According to the official passport photo requirements, applicants can’t wear glasses or sunglasses in the submitted photo. However, if you can’t take off your glasses for medical reasons, you will need to include a signed doctor’s note in your passport application, stating that you need to keep your glasses on. Until 2016 the authorities accepted glasses in photos as long as there was no reflection visible in the photo and the eyes were clearly visible, however prescription glasses are no longer allowed to be worn in U.S. passport photos.
Head and facial expression in the U.S. passport photo
Your passport photo may get rejected if you don’t have a neutral facial expression (or a natural smile), with both eyes open and your mouth closed. Again, it is important that your passport photo makes it easy for the authorities to confirm your identity. Face the camera directly with full face in view and remember that both sides of your face should be equally lighted.
A passport photo will be accepted if an applicant is directly facing the camera with a neutral facial expression, closed mouth, and both their eyes clearly visible.
What to wear in a U.S. passport photo?
You cannot wear a uniform or clothing that resembles a uniform or camouflage attire. It is officially stated that you should wear the clothes you wear on a daily basis. It cannot confuse any of the authorities that may be checking your documents. Still, there is no specific passport photo dress code. We encourage you to try a smart-casual style instead of just a hoodie or a t-shirt. Passport is a document that you will keep for quite a while, so make sure you look good in the photo.
Where can I get and print my U.S. passport photo?
First, prepare your printable passport photo template on our website - take a photo, upload it, and check to see if you like the image. If you think you don’t look good in the photograph, simply retake the picture.
Second, choose one of the options - you can get the passport photo converter for free though it won’t have the background automatically removed. Therefore, we require you to follow the guidelines more precisely. You can save some time and for $13.95 download a professional U.S. passport photo with an acceptance guarantee! For $16.95 you will also get a printout delivered at your door!
Third, if you decide on a digital version of the photo, find the closest photo-copying point or pharmacy with a photo printing service where you can print it out as a 4x6 inch photo (postcard-size photo). On such a U.S. biometric photo template, you will find 2 (two) passport photos ready to be cut out and submitted to the U.S. passport office!
You can get a digital U.S. passport photo on Passport Photo Online and print it out at any photo-copying service (like Walmart or Costco).
U.S. passport photo same size and other photos
The U.S. passport photo is a biometric photo which means the image should enable the authorities easy recognition of the passport holder. Most of the requirements are standard biometric photo requirements. The key difference between passport photos around the world consists usually in size and background of the photo.
Universal rules for a 2x2 U.S. passport photo
When taking your U.S. passport photo, you must remember to stick to certain rules regarding posture, lighting, positioning of the camera, and maintaining the correct facial expression, among other things. Here is a list of what you should keep in mind to get a perfect photo for your passport:
- Stand close to the wall to minimize shadows.
- Turn off overhead lighting to eliminate glares.
- Look straight at the camera.
- The head must be neither twisted nor tilted in any direction, look straight ahead.
- Make sure that the hair does not cover the face or even the eyebrows.
- Do not wear jewelry, hats, or headphones.
- Note that the camera lens should be placed at eye level.
- It is good to take the picture from a distance of about 3 feet.
- Photo should include shoulders and some space above the head.
- You must have a neutral facial expression.
- The correct size of the U.S. passport photo is exactly 2x2 inches. Passport Photo Online cropping tool will size it accordingly or you can prepare a 4x6 inch photo template and print 2 (two) U.S. passport photos.
- The background has to be white or off-white so remember to take the photo standing against a white-colored wall (or we can also correct the background automatically for you within our $13.95 service).
How to take a U.S. passport photo at home?
To avoid crowds and wasting time and money driving to a photography studio, you might think about taking a photo for your passport at home. You can use your iOS or Android phone and download our app. Taking document photos at home is possible with a 100% guarantee of acceptance! If you decide to try taking photos for your U.S. passport by yourself, read on to find out more.
While you already know the requirements regarding U.S. passport photos, you know how to pose and what to do as well as what to avoid while taking pictures for documents.
If you put on nice clothes and you already have all the equipment, you just need to follow these 5 simple steps about how to take a passport photo at home:
- Choose a nice sunny day, find a room with a plain background or put a sheet on the wall to create your own studio, stand close to the wall to avoid shadows in the background. Don’t take photos after dark and we recommend not using flash, because it causes red-eyes and changes the skin color.
- Ask someone to take a picture of you or place the camera on a tripod approximately 3 feet away. Do not take a selfie because it just doesn’t fit the document. It is not a photo you want to post on social media but an official identity document.
- Pose following the official U.S. passport requirements regarding head position, facial expression, where to look, what to avoid doing, etc.
- Submit your picture via the app or online editor if you managed to take the right one.
- Receive the ready-to-print digital file via email.
U.S. passport photo maker
Passport Photo Online maker is an easy-to-use tool that will get you a U.S. passport photo that meets all the official requirements. All you have to do is take a photo with your phone or digital camera, upload it and our passport photo editor will convert the photo to passport size and erase the background. We have developed a passport photo generator that responds to our clients’ needs regardless of whether they need the photo in digital or printed form. The passport photo creator will prepare for you a printable passport photo template, i.e. a file that is ready to be printed in the 4x6 inch (10x15 cm) format. This way you will get 2(two) 2x2 inch (51x51mm) photos on one postcard size photo. You can print it out at any photo-copying store for just a few cents. If you prefer to get the printed passport photos delivered straight to your place, Passport Photo Online offers a delivery option.
Passport Photo Online - a background editor
The background is really important considering photos for official documents. The required background for the U.S. passport photo is white or off-white, free of patterns. Our photo background editor removes the incorrect background with shadows or unnecessary objects in the picture or with a different color and changes it to a plain background required by the passport office.
Passport Photo Online - cropping
The online photo cropper adjusts your photographs and changes them as required in your U.S. passport guidelines. It crops the photo as stated on the official websites regarding dimensions for passport photos. The application will automatically resize your picture to the size specified for the United States passport.
Passport Photo Online - templates
In the end, our photo tool creates a passport photo template that is ready to download via email that you can print by yourself in a local printing place or you can order an already printed one which we will ship to you.
Passport Photo Online checker
The last thing that our application does is check the final picture paying special attention to the correctness and quality of your photo, making sure it contains all the important elements. The photo checker validates the sent photos and makes sure it will have a 100% warranty of acceptance. Create a passport photo with our online cropping tool, converter and resizer and save yourself time and money!
Last update: 8/4/22
Frequently Asked Questions
💡 For what other official U.S. documents do I need a passport-style photo?
The U.S. passport photo, with the dimensions of 2x2 inches (51x51 mm) is the official photo format for your driver’s licence and citizenship application.
💡 What could cause a passport photo rejection?
While taking photos for the passport document yourself, you can make a lot of mistakes, such as incorrect size, smiling in the photo, wrong background, wrong pose, etc. This is why it is very important to know the official requirements regarding passport photos for your country and follow them. Otherwise, your photo will be declined.
💡 What are the requirements regarding hairstyle for U.S. passport photos?
Your full hairstyle should be visible in a passport photo. However, hair cannot cover the applicant’s face, especially the eyes and eyebrows.
💡 How to remove a shadow from a passport photo?
Editing is not allowed, you can’t remove any glares or shadows by yourself. We recommend using our photo tool which works like a background remover, so it can change the color or make your background plain and without patterns.
💡 Can I use Photoshop to edit my U.S. passport photo?
Editing photos for official documents is forbidden. You cannot retouch, crop yourself from a bigger photo, remove any scars, tattoos, wrinkles, spots, etc. Any ways of interfering in the picture will cause a rejection. Use a mobile photo app instead or our online service which will edit your photo with a guarantee of acceptance.
💡 On what printing paper I should print my passport photo? Glossy or matte?
It is important to be sure that you print your passport photos on thin, photo quality paper. For the United States passport photos, you can print it using either matte, semi-matte, or glossy photo paper.
💡 What background color is required for a U.S. passport photo?
The background for the U.S. passport should be white or off-white, so make sure that you do not pose against a colored one or with patterns or shadows. That will cause rejection.
💡 Can I use my Android smartphone to take a passport photo?
In order to be accepted, a passport photo must meet a number of criteria regarding the background of the photo, lighting, or size. Most Android smartphones have good enough cameras to take high quality photos. If you have already taken the photo you want to use for your passport, use our passport photo editing application, which will remove the background from the photo, cut it to the right size, and frame your face.
💡 Can the passport photos be black and white?
No. Photos for the U.S. passport cannot be black and white, only color photos with a white background are accepted.
💡 What is the height and width of a passport size photo?
The height of a passport photo is 2 inches (equivalent to 51mm) and its width is 2 inches (equivalent to 51mm) as well. You can check the other requirements of the passport size photo on our website.
💡 How do I crop a photo to passport size?
The easiest way to do so is to use a passport photo maker. All you will have to do is upload a photo and choose “U.S. passport” to crop it properly. You can do it for $6.99 here.
💡 How do I get a digital passport photo?
If you need a digital passport photo and don’t need to bother with the printed one, you should use our passport photo generator. It will transform your picture into a digital passport photo within a few seconds. It will be downloadable in the most useful formats.
💡 What is the best passport photo app?
If “best” applies to the price, user experience, and quality, we would recommend you our Passport Photo Online app. For $6.99 you will get a professional passport photo within a few seconds.
Passport Photo Online is available as a web page, but also as a mobile app. You can easily download it on your iOS smartphone and on most of the smartphones equipped with Android software.
💡 Can I use my iPhone to take a passport photo?
In order to be accepted, passport photos have to meet several requirements like color of the background or size of the photo. Your iPhone camera will let you take a valid passport photo that you can later crop and resize to passport size using our photo cropping tool.
💡 Can I have a beard in my U.S. passport photo?
Yes, it is definitely legal to have a beard in a passport photo, although you should bear in mind that the passport photo has to resemble you in the way it would not constitute any problems for the border control. Hence, if you drastically change your look by shaving your beard, consider renewing the passport photo to avoid any problems.
💡 What are the main U.S. passport photo requirements?
The main U.S. passport photo requirements are:
- Neutral facial expression.
- You should face the camera directly with full face in view.
- Normal clothing. Extravagant outfits or uniforms might cause a photo rejection. Religious clothing, however, is allowed.
- Background should be white or off-white in color.
- Glasses, headphones, and other items should not be worn.
- The dimensions of the photo have to be 2x2 inches (51x51 mm).
- The passport photo should be taken within the last six months.
💡 How much does a passport photo cost?
The cost of a passport photo depends on the way you get the photo. In a professional photography studio it may cost around $20, Walmart charges $7.44, and Passport Photo Online will charge you just $6.99. By taking the passport photo yourself, you save not only money, but also time.
💡 Is it possible to take photos for a newborn baby's passport?
Every U.S. citizen, including a newborn baby, can have a passport, but in order to get one you have to take a photo of your infant and only then apply for the document.
💡 Can I take a passport photo in a photo booth?
Yes - the photo taken in a photo booth can be used as a photograph attached to the application for a passport, driver’s license or identity card, as long as it meets all the requirements. Most photo booths allow the passport photo size to choose, so make sure you choose 2x2 inch dimensions.
💡 Is there a passport photo dress code?
Since a passport is an official document, consider dressing up for the photo. We recommend smart-casual clothing. It will make you look nice and professional. Extravagant outfits or uniforms might cause a photo rejection. Religious clothing, however, is allowed, so in case your beliefs require a specific outfit, there shouldn’t be any problem in that matter.
💡 What size is a U.S. passport photo?
The U.S. passport photo has the dimensions of 2x2 inches (51x51 mm). It is also the size of most official documents in the U.S., including the driver’s license or Identity Card.
💡 How to pose for a passport photo?
Sit up straight, don’t hold your head up high, look directly at the camera and keep your shoulders down and back.
💡 Can I wear earrings in my U.S. passport photo?
Yes, you can wear earrings or clip-ons in your passport photo. The only requirement is that they should not impede facial recognition. Earrings that would cover e.g. part of the neck or cheeks cannot be worn in the photo.
💡 Can I wear lenses in my passport photo?
You can wear lenses in your passport photo, as long as they do not cover any distinguishing marks. If you have tinted lenses for medical reasons, you may have to provide a signed medical statement.
💡 Can I smile in the passport photo?
Maintain a neutral facial expression with both eyes open. All types of unusual expressions are forbidden. In the United States a natural smile is allowed in passport photos, however, the smile should not expose your teeth.
💡 What makeup should I wear in a passport photo?
Makeup for a passport photo is allowed, but it must be subtle and delicate enough to make the person in the photo recognizable. Women can accentuate their eyes with mascara or eyeliner and their lips with lipstick, they may also use a gentle foundation. However, we would like to stress that makeup can’t hide or mask the so-called special characteristics, i.e. furrows, strong wrinkles, scars, or permanent beauty marks. If such characteristics are covered in the photo, the photograph will not meet the government requirements and should be rejected. Even if the photo passes the verification process, we can expect problems at the airport or border control.
💡 Can I wear lipstick in a passport photo?
Unless it covers a distinguishing mark, lipstick is allowed in passport photos, as well as in other official documents. Our suggestion, however, is to not use lipstick that’s too flashy.
💡 Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
No, glasses are not allowed in a U.S. passport photo - neither are prescription glasses or sunglasses, unless you have a medical reason which forbids you from taking the glasses off. In such a case a statement signed by a doctor is required.
💡 Can I take my own passport photo?
Yes, a passport photo can be taken easily and quickly by yourself and in almost any place.
The best and easiest way to take a photo is to use Passport Photo Online, which is much more advanced than any online document photo generator available online. Using our tool, all you have to do is take a photo of yourself against any background, and only pay attention to your face being evenly lit. The rest will be taken care of by Passport Photo Online, i.e. it will frame the face, clear the background from shadows and any items and save the photos in the right format and size. An additional advantage is that you do not have to go anywhere and pay $20 or even $25 for the photos. This option is especially useful for passport photos for small children and babies.
💡 Can I take a passport photo with my phone?
Yes, you can take a passport photo with your phone. All you have to do is upload a photo to our website and our tool will transform it to a professional passport photo. You can also use our photo cropping app and take a passport photo with your phone.
💡 What should I wear in a passport photo?
Since passport is an official document, we suggest a smart-casual style, which will make you look good and professional. Extravagant outfits or uniforms might cause a photo rejection. Religious clothing, however, is allowed, so in case your beliefs require a specific outfit, there shall not be any problem on that matter.
Look at the following blog article to find out what tricks do models use to look good in the passport photos.
💡 How can I take a passport photo at home?
It is possible to take a passport photo at home as long as it meets all the requirements. The easiest way is to use a photo cropping tool or a passport photo generator which will detect all the potential problems with a photo, crop it, and frame in agreement with the document’s size and requirements. Our suggestion is to try out the Passport Photo Online website or its photo cropping app on Android.
About the document
U.S. Passport
The U.S. Passport is a travel document that confirms the identity of the holder primarily for international travel purposes. Passports usually contain personal data such as: place and date of birth, the holder’s name and surname, signature, and photograph. Moreover, at the moment all countries are either issuing or planning to issue biometric passports that would have an embedded microchip to make them machine-readable and harder to counterfeit.
U.S. passport application requirements
To apply for the United States of America passport you have to fill out an application form and collect some documents. While you already know the passport photo requirements, it is time to meet the U.S. passport application requirements.
The following documents are required when applying for a U.S. passport:
- Filled out and signed application form.
- Original proof of citizenship document.
- An acceptable photo ID document.
- A photocopy of the front and back of the citizenship document and photo ID document
- Passport photo - follow the photo requirements.
- Payment (passport fees).
How to apply for a U.S. passport?
Once you’ve already collected the required documents, it’s time to complete the application for a passport book or passport card (or both). There are two options explained below whether you choose to fill out the application online or by hand:
- An online application - use the Passport Application Wizard to step through the process of filling out the application. When you’ve completed the form, print it out to deliver it to the authorities, because passport applications cannot be submitted online.
- Fill it out by hand - download the passport application form (DS-11) and instructions (PDF, download Adobe Reader) and complete the application by hand or go to a local passport acceptance facility and get a copy to fill out.
Take the required documents and a filled out, but not signed application form to the passport acceptance facility (it is important that you do not sign the form until you are instructed to do so in front of a passport designated official you will meet when applying in person).
How long does one have to wait for a passport?
The government of the United States usually processes passport applications between 3 to 6 weeks after you've sent the application. We recommend you to apply for your U.S. passport in low travel seasons, like winter or fall.
However, you can get the digital photo for your U.S. passport on our website in no time!
U.S. passport fees
Depending on the age of the applicant and type of passport (card or book) the prices differ. However, for adults over 16 they are:
- A passport book costs $110 for a DS-11 application and $35 for execution (acceptance fee).
- A passport card costs $30 for the application and $35 for execution.
- Passport book and card cost $140 for application fee and $35 execution fee.
Passports for minors are cheaper, but the execution in all cases costs the same ($35) where the application fee is $80 for a book or $15 for a card. The price for a book and card is $95.
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