US Passport Photo Requirements 2026

Written and fact-checked by the PassportLayout team · Last verified: July 7, 2026

Official requirements from the U.S. Department of State, checked against the source on the date above.

Photo Dimensions

The United States requires a square passport photograph measuring exactly 2 inches by 2 inches (51 mm × 51 mm), according to the U.S. Department of State. This is one of the few countries that mandates a perfectly square photo format, which differs from the rectangular 35×45 mm format used by the UK, EU, and most other nations.

The photo must be printed on photographic-quality paper. While digital submission is accepted for some applications (such as the online renewal, which uses an electronic Form DS-82), physical prints are still required for applications submitted by mail or in person.

Face and Head Size Requirements

Within the 2×2 inch frame, the head — measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head — must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm), per the State Department's photo guidance. This means the head occupies approximately 50% to 69% of the total frame height. The face must be centered both horizontally and vertically in the frame.

The eyes should be between 1 1/8 inches and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the photo. This eye-position requirement ensures consistent face placement across all US passport photos and helps with biometric verification systems.

Background Requirements

The background must be plain white or off-white — the official State Department specification requires it to be plain and free of shadows, textures, objects, or lines. The background must be evenly lit to avoid shadows falling behind the subject. A neutral wall or a sheet of white cardboard works well for home photography.

Common rejection reasons include a grey background (often caused by incorrect exposure or shadows), shadows cast by the subject's head or clothing, and backgrounds with any visible texture or pattern.

Expression and Pose

You must have a neutral facial expression with both eyes open and looking directly at the camera. A natural, closed-mouth smile is permitted, but open-mouth smiles are not, because they distort the facial feature measurements used by biometric systems.

Your head must be facing the camera directly, not tilted or turned. Profile or three-quarter angle photos are not accepted.

Glasses Policy

As of November 1, 2016, glasses of any kind — including prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and tinted glasses — are not permitted in US passport and visa photos. This rule was introduced to align with ICAO biometric standards and to improve facial recognition accuracy. Exceptions are made only for medical reasons, supported by a signed statement from a medical professional.

Attire and Head Coverings

Everyday clothing is acceptable. Uniforms (including military, police, or other official uniforms) should not be worn. Head coverings are generally not permitted unless worn daily for religious reasons, and even then, the full face from forehead to chin must be fully visible. Hats and fashion head accessories are not allowed.

Photo Recency

The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months. It must accurately reflect your current appearance. If you have significantly changed your appearance — through weight gain or loss, surgery, or aging — you must provide a new photo even if your existing passport is still valid.

Digital Submission Specifications

For online applications (where accepted), the digital photo must meet these technical specifications:

• Format: JPEG
• Minimum size: 600 × 600 pixels
• Maximum size: 1200 × 1200 pixels
• File size: Up to 240 KB for visa (DS-160) uploads; online passport renewal accepts JPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF from 54 KB to 10 MB
• Color mode: sRGB color space

Complete Specifications Table

Common Rejection Reasons

• Grey or off-white background instead of pure white
• Shadows on the background or across the face
• Head too small or too large relative to the frame
• Wearing glasses (no exceptions for prescription lenses)
• Open-mouth smile or exaggerated expression
• Photo taken more than 6 months ago
• Red-eye not corrected
• Photo printed at wrong size (not exactly 2×2 inches)
• Digitally altered facial features

Tips for a Perfect US Passport Photo at Home

Taking a compliant US passport photo at home is straightforward if you follow a few guidelines. Stand against a plain white wall in a well-lit room with even natural light. Avoid standing too close to the wall — leave at least 18 inches of distance to prevent shadows. Use a second light source opposite the main window to eliminate shadows from one side.

Ask a friend to take the photo at eye level. Avoid using a camera looking up or down. Once you have the photo, use PassportLayout.online to crop it to the correct 2×2 inch dimensions with proper face positioning, then print at 300 DPI for crisp results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• U.S. Department of State — Passport Photos — official photo specifications (verified July 7, 2026)
• ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents — international biometric portrait standard