US Passport Photo Requirements
The U.S. Department of State has specific requirements for passport photos. Photos that don't meet these standards will be rejected.
Official Specifications
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size (printed) | 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) |
| Size (digital) | 600 x 600 pixels (min 600x600, max 1200x1200) |
| File format | JPEG |
| File size | 240KB or less |
| Head height | 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25-35mm) |
| Eye height | 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from bottom |
| Background | White or off-white |
| Recency | Taken within last 6 months |
Photo Dos and Don'ts
DO:
- Face the camera directly with neutral expression
- Keep both eyes open and visible
- Use plain white or off-white background
- Ensure even lighting without shadows
- Wear everyday clothing (no uniforms)
- Remove eyeglasses (since 2016)
DON'T:
- Wear glasses, sunglasses, or tinted lenses
- Wear hats or head coverings (except religious)
- Use filters or edit the photo
- Smile or make expressions
- Take a selfie (arm distance causes distortion)
- Have shadows on face or background
Taking Your Own Photo
Setup
- Find a plain white wall or hang a white sheet
- Position yourself 4-6 feet from the camera
- Use natural daylight or bright even lighting
- Have someone take the photo (avoid selfies)
Camera Settings
- Use highest quality/resolution setting
- Turn off flash if it causes shadows
- Ensure camera is at eye level
After Taking
- Use our US Passport Photo tool to resize
- Crop to center your face correctly
- Ensure final image is 600x600 pixels
- Compress to under 240KB if needed
Common Rejection Reasons
- Photo is too dark or too light
- Shadows on face or background
- Head is tilted or turned
- Eyes are closed or looking away
- Wearing glasses
- Background is not white
- Wrong dimensions or file size
Ready to Create Your Photo?
Use our US Passport Photo tool to create a compliant 2x2 inch photo for your application!