US Passport Photo Requirements 2026 — The Complete Guide

Overview

Getting your US passport photo right the first time saves you time, money, and the frustration of a rejected application. The U.S. Department of State has specific requirements that every passport photo must meet — and they reject thousands of photos every year for avoidable mistakes.

This guide covers every requirement in detail so you can take a compliant passport photo at home or verify that a studio photo meets the standards before you submit your application.

Photo Dimensions

US passport photos must be exactly 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The head (measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair) must be between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm).

The photo must be:

• Square format (equal width and height)
• High resolution — at least 300 DPI, 600 DPI recommended
• In color, with no filters or digital alterations

If you're using the US Passport Photo app, auto-align handles the cropping and sizing automatically to meet these exact specifications.

Background Requirements

The background must be plain white or off-white. No patterns, no shadows, no gradients. The background should be uniform from edge to edge.

Common reasons for rejection:

• Visible shadows behind the head or on the background
• Off-color backgrounds (cream, gray, blue)
• Textured walls or curtains visible behind the subject

For a deeper dive, read our guide on passport photo background requirements.

Head Position and Framing

Your face must be centered in the frame and looking directly at the camera. The head should not be tilted or turned. Both ears should be visible if possible (hair covering ears is acceptable for religious or medical reasons).

The eye height should be between 1-1/8 inches and 1-3/8 inches (28 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo.

Expression

You must have a neutral expression with both eyes open and mouth closed. A natural, relaxed expression is fine — you don't need to look stern. However, smiling with teeth showing will get your photo rejected.

Lighting

The photo must be evenly lit with no harsh shadows on the face or background. Natural daylight from a window (not direct sunlight) is ideal. Avoid:

• Flash that creates red-eye or glare
• Overhead lighting that casts shadows under the eyes, nose, or chin
• Backlighting that makes the face too dark

Glasses

As of 2016, the US State Department does not allow glasses in passport photos. This applies to all types of glasses — prescription, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. The only exception is if you have a signed medical statement.

Clothing

Wear normal street clothes. Uniforms, camouflage, and costume-like clothing are not permitted unless worn daily for religious reasons. Head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical purposes — and even then, the full face must be visible from hairline to chin.

Infants and Children

The same size and background requirements apply to children of all ages, including newborns. The child must be the only person in the photo — no hands, toys, or pacifiers visible.

For tips on photographing babies, see our dedicated guide: Baby passport photo tips.

Photo Quality

The photo must be:

• In color (no black-and-white)
• In focus and properly exposed
• Free of red-eye, digital alterations, or filters
• Taken within the last 6 months

Digital Submissions

For online passport renewals, you can upload a digital photo. The digital file must be:

• JPEG format
• Between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels
• File size between 54 KB and 10 MB

For in-person applications, you'll need to provide physical photos — the US Passport Photo app exports compliant digital files you can take to any local photo service for physical copies.

Learn more about digital submissions in our article on passport photos for online applications.

Common Mistakes

Many passport photos are rejected for easily avoidable reasons. Read our full breakdown of common passport photo mistakes to make sure you don't waste time or money.

Cost Comparison

Passport photos range from free (using an app) to $15+ at a retail store. See our passport photo cost comparison for a full breakdown.

How to Take a Compliant Photo at Home

You don't need a professional studio. A smartphone, good lighting, and a white wall are all you need. Our step-by-step guide on how to take a passport photo at home walks you through the entire process.

Summary

Using the US Passport Photo app takes the guesswork out of all these requirements. The app automatically checks every specification and gives you a compliant photo in under two minutes.