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USA document photo specifications — every type compared

USA does not use one photo format for every document: 11 of them are compared below. Each row gives the print size in millimetres, the head height, the required background and the authority page that row was checked against. Sizes differ from one document to the next, so a photo made for one application is not automatically valid for another — and a print that misses the stated figures is refused.

All USA document photo specifications

Every document type USA issues that requires a photo, listed below with the official spec. Click any document to read the full rules, including the printable layout, glasses and expression rules, and the source link.

Document Photo size Head height Background Digital file Photo submission Last verified Source
Naturalization Certificate 51 × 51 mm 49–69% White or off-white 600 × 600 px Own photo or at the office uscis.gov
Advance Parole Document 51 × 51 mm 50–69% Plain, one colour Own photo uscis.gov
Form I-130 (Spouse Petition) 51 × 51 mm 50–69% Plain white Own photo uscis.gov
Refugee Travel Document 51 × 51 mm 50–69% Plain, one colour Own photo or at the office uscis.gov
TPS Travel Authorization 51 × 51 mm 50–69% Plain, one colour Own photo uscis.gov
US Passport Card 51 × 51 mm 50–69% Plain, one colour Own photo travel.state.gov
US Passport 51 × 51 mm 49–69% White or off-white 600 × 600 px Own photo travel.state.gov
Green Card 51 × 51 mm 49–69% White or off-white 600 × 600 px Own photo or at the office uscis.gov
Green Card Lottery (DV) 51 × 51 mm 50–69% White or off-white 600 × 600 px · max 240 KB Own photo travel.state.gov
US Visa 51 × 51 mm 50–69% White or off-white 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px · max 240 KB Own photo travel.state.gov
Work Authorization (EAD) 51 × 51 mm 49–69% White or off-white 600 × 600 px Own photo or at the office uscis.gov

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