US Passport Photo Requirements 2026: Size, Rules & Tips
Official US passport photo size is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) at 300 DPI. Learn all State Department requirements and how to avoid rejection.
Every year, the US State Department rejects tens of thousands of passport applications because of the photo. The requirements are specific, unforgiving, and have changed several times in the last decade. If you get any single detail wrong — head size off by a few millimeters, a shadow behind your left ear, or a pair of reading glasses you forgot to take off — your application goes back to the bottom of the pile, and your travel timeline slips by weeks.
This guide covers every requirement for US passport photos in 2026, including the digital submission specs for online renewal that launched in 2023, the glasses ban that still catches people off guard, and the exact head-size math that trips up even professional photographers.
Official US passport photo specifications
The State Department publishes these requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations (22 CFR 51.20) and on travel.state.gov. Here is the full specification table:
| Property | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Print size | 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) |
| Digital pixel size | 600 x 600 pixels (minimum) |
| DPI (print) | 300 DPI |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm) |
| Eye height from bottom | 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches (28-35 mm) |
| File format (digital) | JPEG (.jpg) |
| File size (digital) | 240 KB to 10 MB |
| Color space | sRGB, 24-bit color |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
These specs apply to all US passports (standard book), passport cards, and US visa photos submitted from within the United States. The photo you submit for a passport card is the same specification as the passport book — there is no separate card photo size.
State Department rules in detail
Beyond dimensions, the State Department enforces strict rules about your appearance, expression, and clothing. These rules exist because your photo is processed by facial recognition software and must be usable for biometric matching at border control for the next 10 years.
Expression
The official guidance says "neutral expression or a natural smile." In practice, keep your mouth closed and your face relaxed. A wide smile changes the geometry of your face enough to cause problems with biometric matching. Passport processing centers routinely reject photos with open-mouth smiles, even though the written rules technically allow a "natural" one. Play it safe: neutral face, mouth closed.
Eyes
Both eyes must be open and clearly visible. No red-eye (from flash). No squinting. Your eyes must look directly into the camera lens — not slightly off to one side, not looking down. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from opening both eyes, you can submit a signed statement from your doctor.
Glasses — banned since November 2016
This is the rule that still catches the most people. Since November 1, 2016, the State Department does not allow glasses in passport photos — period. Not prescription glasses, not reading glasses, not tinted lenses, not clear lenses. The only exception is if you have a signed medical statement proving you cannot remove your glasses due to a recent surgery or medical condition. Sunglasses have never been allowed. If your current passport photo shows glasses and it was taken before 2016, it was grandfathered in — but your next photo must be without glasses. For more details, see: Glasses in Passport Photos: What You Need to Know.
Head coverings
Head coverings, hats, and hair accessories that obscure the hairline are not allowed. The only exception is religious or medical head coverings worn daily. If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, your full face must still be visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, and from ear to ear. You may need to submit a signed statement confirming the religious practice.
Clothing
Do not wear a uniform, camouflage, or anything that resembles a military or law enforcement outfit. Everyday clothing is required. A practical tip: avoid white or very light-colored shirts, because they blend into the white background and can make your photo look like a floating head. Wear something dark or colored.
Hair and ears
Both ears should be visible. Hair should not fall across your eyes or obscure your face. Long hair is fine as long as your face is fully visible from chin to hairline and ear to ear.
Digital submission requirements for online renewal
Since 2023, the State Department has offered online passport renewal for eligible US citizens. If you are renewing online, you upload a digital photo through the portal instead of mailing printed photos. The digital photo requirements are slightly different from the print requirements:
| Property | Digital requirement |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG (.jpg) only |
| File size | 240 KB minimum, 10 MB maximum |
| Pixel dimensions | 600 x 600 px minimum, 1200 x 1200 px maximum |
| Aspect ratio | Square (1:1) |
| Color depth | 24-bit color (standard JPEG) |
| Compression | No excessive compression artifacts |
The portal runs its own automated checks on upload. It will reject your photo immediately if the file is too small, the head is not centered, or it detects glasses. If rejected, you can try again with a different photo — there is no penalty for failed uploads.
A common mistake: people take a photo with their phone, then screenshot it or export it through a messaging app, which compresses it below 240 KB. Always use the original file from your camera roll, not a forwarded or screenshotted version.
PhotoPass vs. professional studios: cost comparison
You have three options for getting a US passport photo, and the price difference is significant:
| Option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| CVS Pharmacy | $16.99 | Two printed 2x2" photos, no digital file |
| Walgreens | $16.99 | Two printed 2x2" photos, no digital file |
| USPS Post Office | $15.00 | Two printed 2x2" photos, no digital file |
| Professional photo studio | $25-50 | Printed photos + sometimes a digital file |
| PhotoPass | $2.99 | Digital JPEG + 4x6" print sheet (PDF), compliance-checked |
The key advantage of a tool like PhotoPass is that you get both the digital file (needed for online renewal) and a print-ready sheet. CVS and Walgreens only give you printed photos — if you are renewing online, you still need a separate digital file. Studios vary; some give you a digital copy, many do not unless you ask and pay extra.
Common rejection reasons — and how to fix each one
The State Department does not publish rejection statistics, but passport expediting services and travel agencies report that these are the most frequent causes, roughly in order:
- Head size wrong. Your head (chin to crown, not including hair above the crown) must measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches in the printed 2x2" photo. That translates to 50-69% of the frame height. Too close to the camera and your head is too large. Too far away and it is too small. This is the single most common rejection reason because it is hard to judge by eye. PhotoPass measures this automatically.
- Shadows on the face or background. Any visible shadow — under the chin, beside the nose, on the wall behind you — can cause rejection. Shadows happen when you stand too close to the background or use a single overhead light source. Stand at least 2 feet from the wall and use diffused, frontal lighting.
- Glasses. Even clear, non-reflective prescription glasses are banned. People who wore glasses in their last passport photo (taken before 2016) often assume the rules have not changed. They have.
- Photo older than 6 months. The State Department compares your photo to your previous passport. If your appearance has changed (weight, hair, aging), they may request a new photo. Even if your appearance has not changed, a photo over 6 months old is technically non-compliant and can be rejected.
- Wrong background. The background must be white or off-white. Not light grey, not beige, not blue. If you take a photo at home against an eggshell-colored wall, the lighting can make it appear grey or yellowish in the photo. Use a pure white backdrop, or let a tool like PhotoPass replace the background automatically.
- Overexposed or washed out. If your flash fires directly at your face, the photo can blow out the details and make your skin appear flat white. Use natural light or bounce flash off a ceiling instead.
- Low resolution or blurry. The minimum is 600 x 600 pixels, but that is a minimum. A blurry 600px photo will still be rejected. Use the rear camera of your phone (not the selfie camera) for the sharpest image.
For a deeper dive into rejections, see our full guide: Common Passport Photo Rejection Reasons.
How to take a US passport photo at home: step by step
You do not need a studio. A smartphone and a white wall are enough if you follow these steps:
- Use the rear camera. The rear camera on any modern smartphone is 12-50 megapixels. The selfie camera is lower quality and introduces a slight wide-angle distortion that can make your face look wider than it is. Prop your phone on a shelf or have someone else take the photo.
- Set up lighting. Face a large window with indirect daylight. Overcast days are ideal — the light is soft and even. If shooting at night, place two lamps at 45-degree angles in front of you, roughly at eye level. The goal is even light across your entire face with no shadows.
- Prepare the background. Stand in front of a white wall, at least 2 feet (60 cm) away from it. The distance prevents your shadow from falling on the wall. If your wall is not white, hang a white bedsheet or use a large piece of white posterboard.
- Position yourself. Stand (or sit) so the camera is at eye level. Look directly into the lens. Keep your shoulders square to the camera. Remove glasses, hats, headphones, and earbuds.
- Frame the shot. Your head and the top of your shoulders should be visible. Leave some space above your head — the cropping tool will handle the exact framing. Do not crop tightly yourself; give the tool room to work.
- Take 5-10 shots. Review them for sharpness, even lighting, and a neutral expression. Pick the best one.
- Process with PhotoPass. Upload your photo. The tool automatically crops to 600 x 600 px, replaces the background with pure white, checks head size and eye position, and outputs both a digital JPEG and a 4x6" print sheet with two photos. The entire process takes about 30 seconds.
For more detailed home photography tips, see: How to Take a Passport Photo at Home.
DS-11 vs. DS-82: which form do you need?
This is a passport application question, not a photo question — but it comes up constantly, so here is the short version:
- DS-11 (Form for new passports): Used if you are applying for a passport for the first time, if your previous passport was issued when you were under 16, if your previous passport was lost or stolen, or if your previous passport expired more than 5 years ago. You must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility. You submit printed photos (two identical 2x2" photos).
- DS-82 (Form for renewals): Used if your most recent passport was issued within the last 15 years, was not damaged, and was issued when you were 16 or older. You can mail this form or, since 2023, renew online. For mail renewal, submit printed photos. For online renewal, submit a digital JPEG.
The photo specification is identical for both forms. There is no difference in size, background, or any other requirement between a DS-11 photo and a DS-82 photo.
Passport card: same photo, different document
The US passport card is a wallet-sized travel document valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It uses the same 2 x 2 inch photo as the passport book. You do not need a separate photo for the card — if you are applying for both a book and a card simultaneously (which many people do, since adding the card to a book application costs only $30), one set of photos covers both.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I smile in my US passport photo?
A: Technically, yes — the State Department allows a "natural smile." In practice, keep your expression neutral with your mouth closed. Open-mouth smiles are rejected, and even closed-mouth smiles can cause issues with facial recognition software at border control. The safest approach is no smile.
Q: Can I wear makeup in my passport photo?
A: Yes. Everyday makeup is fine. The State Department only prohibits changes that alter your appearance so much that you would not be recognizable — theatrical makeup, heavy contouring that changes the shape of your face, or colored contact lenses. Normal foundation, mascara, and lipstick are all fine.
Q: How do I take a baby or infant passport photo?
A: Babies and infants need passport photos too, and the specs are the same 2 x 2 inches with a white background. The baby must be facing the camera with eyes open. The easiest method is to lay the baby on a white sheet on a flat surface and photograph from directly above. No other person should be visible in the photo — no hands holding the baby, no parent in the background. For newborns, the State Department is more lenient about eye position, but the eyes should still be open. PhotoPass handles infant photos and adjusts the head-size check for babies.
Q: How long is a US passport photo valid?
A: The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months at the time you submit your application. If your application is delayed and you resubmit after 6 months, you need a new photo. The photo on your issued passport is valid for the life of that passport — 10 years for adults, 5 years for children under 16.
Q: Can I wear religious head coverings?
A: Yes, if you wear a head covering daily for religious reasons. Your full face must still be visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead. You may be asked to include a signed statement confirming the religious practice.
Q: What about glasses for medical reasons?
A: The only exception to the glasses ban is a signed medical statement from your doctor confirming that your glasses cannot be removed. This is rare and applies to situations like recent eye surgery where removing the glasses would cause harm. Standard prescription glasses do not qualify. For more details, see: Glasses in Passport Photos: What You Need to Know.
Make your US passport photo now
Skip the drugstore and the guesswork. Use the PhotoPass US Passport tool to generate a fully compliant 600 x 600 px JPEG with a 300 DPI print sheet — checked against every State Department requirement, delivered in under 30 seconds, for $2.99.