Free check · by the document rules
USA Passport photo checker
Upload a photo — we check it against every requirement of the document and give you a verdict.
- Your photo never leaves your device
- Free, no sign-up
- 33 checks by the authority rules
Passportplain whiteno glassessample
Step 1 · Upload a photo
or drop the file onto the drawing on the left
- Your photo never leaves your device
- Free, no sign-up
What we check — the document requirements
- 1Size and filePhoto and file size — as this document expects them51 × 51 mm
- 2Head in the photoHow much of the photo the head takes — from the crown to the chin49–69 % of the photo height
- 3Eye heightHow high the eyes sit — measured from the bottom edge of the photo55–70 % from the bottom of the photo
- 4BackgroundColour and evenness of the background behind the headplain white
- 5Glasses and headwearWhether glasses and head coverings are allowed — by this document's rulesno glasses
- 6Pose and faceLooking straight at the camera, mouth closed, a calm facestraight, eyes open
- 7Light and sharpnessEven light on the face, a sharp colour photoeven light, sharp photo
Notes to the sheet
USA Passport photo requirements at a glance
- The USA Passport photo is 51 × 51 mm.
- The head takes up 49–69 % of the photo height.
- The eyes sit at 55–70 % from the bottom of the photo.
- Background: plain white.
- Glasses come off for the photo.
- Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the whole face visible.
- A smile is fine as long as the mouth stays closed.
- File: 600 × 600 px.
- Rules: U.S. Department of State, checked against the official text on 15 Aug 2026.
Why USA Passport photos are rejected most often
- Background not plain
- Head height outside 1 to 1⅜ inches
- Glasses visible
- Photo older than 6 months
What we don't check
- When the picture was taken. We read the date from the file if it survived, but re-saving wipes it — and many authorities ask for a recent photo.
- Whether the picture was edited. Retouching, filters and AI changes cannot be proved from a file.
- Whether you have sent this picture before. Some authorities reject a photo that was already used in an earlier application.
- How the photo will be printed. Paper, trimming and print quality cannot be judged from a file.
- The route you apply through. Some countries want a code from an approved photographer, or take the picture at the office themselves.
Frequently asked
What size is the USA Passport photo?
51 × 51 mm, with the head taking up 49–69 % of the photo height. The check compares your photo with these numbers and crops it to size for free.
What background does the USA Passport photo need?
Plain, even white — no shadows, patterns or objects behind you. If yours is different, the free fix replaces it.
Can I wear glasses in the USA Passport photo?
No: under the document rules glasses come off for the photo — regular and sunglasses alike.
Can I smile in the USA Passport photo?
Yes — a slight smile with the mouth closed; eyes open, looking straight into the camera.
Can I wear a head covering in the USA Passport photo?
Only for religious reasons — and the whole face must stay visible, from chin to forehead, without shadows.
How do I take a child's photo for the USA Passport?
Choose who is in the photo on the sheet: under 11, under 6 or under 1. Where the document has no child numbers of its own, the check uses the ICAO rules for children: the head takes up 50–90 % of the photo height; children under 6 may turn the head slightly (up to 15°) and need not keep a neutral face; babies under one may have their eyes closed.
Which rules is the USA Passport photo checked against?
The rules of the authority that issues the document: U.S. Department of State. The numbers are checked word for word against the official text; every verdict row has a «Why» with the rule quote and a link to the source.
Can I print the USA Passport photo at home?
Yes: «Print on a 10 × 15 sheet» lays out your USA Passport photo (51 × 51 mm) on a standard sheet — print it at a photo shop or on a home printer; the size on the sheet is exact.
Is the check free? Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
Free, no sign-up. The check and the fix run right in your browser — the photo never leaves your device; it goes to a server only if you choose the AI yourself.