head 49–69 %no glasses
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceU.S. Department of State
Verified
Quick answer: A USA passport photo must be 51 × 51 mm. White or off-white background. Head occupies 49–69% of photo height. Neutral expression, glasses prohibited. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 51 × 51 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 49–69% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Background | White or off-white background. Make photo background white — USA passport → |
| Pose | Strictly full face, head centred. |
| Expression | Neutral expression or slight natural smile; both eyes open. |
| Glasses | Glasses prohibited, except for rare documented medical exceptions. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Ordinary everyday clothing; uniforms and uniform-like clothing not permitted. |
| Digital resolution | 600 × 600 px |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 5.1 × 5.1 cm |
| Inches | 2 × 2″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 602 × 602 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 1205 × 1205 px |
US passport photos are reviewed by the State Department when the application is processed. A photo that does not meet the requirements can delay the application until a new one is sent in, so check the size, head height, background and glasses rule before printing.
The State Department also publishes a Photo Tool (travel.state.gov) for digital photos; it works on a photo you already have and does not take one. The accepted photo is digitised and embedded into the e-Passport chip per ICAO 9303, and it stays bound to the document for its validity period — 10 years for adults, 5 years for under-16s.
Choose it carefully.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons USA passport photos get rejected.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules U.S. Department of State publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Dimensional non-compliance (head height outside 1"-1 3/8" range) | Re-shoot with the head occupying ~50-69% of the frame height |
| Background not plain white/off-white (texture, shadow, gradient) | Stand 1-2m from a flat light wall with frontal daylight |
| Glasses present (since 1 Nov 2016) | Remove glasses; medical exception requires GP letter |
| Photo older than 6 months from submission date | Re-shoot with current appearance |
| Non-neutral expression (smile, raised brows, closed eyes) | Practice the relaxed-jaw expression for 30s before the shot |
| Digital quality issues (low resolution, JPEG compression artefacts) | Use rear camera and hold phone still |
How to take it
Background: white or off-white
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 49–69 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 51 × 51 mm.
Glasses prohibited
Take them off before the shot.
Neutral expression or slight natural smile; both eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glassesTake your glasses off — this document's rules require it.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 4 (2 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 20 (4 × 5) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
US passport applications are processed by the Department of State. Three submission channels exist — choose based on urgency, location, and whether this is a new application or renewal.
8,000+ US Post Offices, libraries, court clerk offices
Required for first-time applicants and minors under 16
Authority pageNational Passport Processing Center, Philadelphia or Pittsburgh
Eligible only if your most recent passport was issued ≤15 years ago, in your current name, when you were 16+
Authority pagetravel.state.gov/online-renewal
Available since 2024 for eligible renewals; submit digital photo + payment online
Authority page| Authority | U.S. Department of State |
|---|---|
| Source | U.S. Department of State passport photos |
| Verified |
Questions
Yes — the new USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) capture mandate from December 12, 2025 applies to immigration forms (I-485, I-765, N-400, N-600), not to passport applications. For passport forms DS-11 (new) and DS-82 (renewal), you still submit your own 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) printed photo with a white background.
An Acceptance Facility (8,000+ US Post Offices, libraries, court clerks) accepts first-time applications and minor applications; routine processing takes 6-8 weeks. A Passport Agency (26 locations nationwide) handles urgent travel needs (within 14 days) by appointment only. Both require the same photo standard.
No. The Photo Tool at travel.state.gov works on a photo you have already taken; it does not produce one. The photo itself still has to meet the requirements above: head centred, plain white or off-white background, no glasses or shadows.
No — the photo specification is identical for routine and expedited applications. Expedited service only changes the processing speed (2-3 weeks instead of 6-8) and adds a $60 fee on top of the standard $130. Same 2×2 inch photo, same white background, same 6-month recency rule.
The USA passport photo must be 51 × 51 mm. The head must occupy 49–69% of the photo height. For digital upload, use 600 × 600 px.
White or off-white background. Behind you there should be only a plain wall: no pattern, shadows or objects. Any light wall at home will do — the tool sets the exact background colour.
Most passport offices ask for a photo taken within the last six months. It should look like you today: after a new haircut or beard, take a new one.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the USA authority — the refund policy page has the details.
Glasses prohibited, except for rare documented medical exceptions.
51 × 51 mm = 5.1 × 5.1 cm = 2 × 2 inches. At 300 dpi that is 602 × 602 pixels; at 600 dpi, 1205 × 1205 pixels.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.
Yes. The same 51 × 51 mm format and head size apply to: green card, naturalization certificate, work authorization (EAD).