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Passport Photo at the Post Office
Some passport acceptance facilities offer photo service, but availability varies. Check photo service availability before your appointment. If you bring your own photo, make sure it meets the official print requirements.
Check photo service when booking.Availability varies by location.Bring a correctly sized photo if the facility does not offer the service.
Photo rules
What the photo needs
| Photo size | 2 x 2 inches for printed U.S. passport photos |
|---|---|
| Head position | Centered face with head sized 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head |
| Background | Plain white or off-white background with no shadows, texture, lines, or objects |
| Lighting | Even light with no harsh shadows, washout, blur, grain, or pixelation |
| Expression | Face the camera directly with eyes visible and mouth closed |
| Digital changes | Original photo only, with no filters, retouching, background replacement, or AI changes |
Reviewed against U.S. State Department passport photo guidance. Last reviewed July 16, 2026.
Steps
How to get it done
- Find an acceptance facility and check whether photo service is offered at your appointment location.
- If it is offered, confirm any photo fee and whether you need to arrive early.
- If you bring your own photo, use a recent 2x2 print on matte or glossy photo-quality paper.
- Inspect the print for size, shadows, glare, and damage before your appointment.
Before you submit
Common mistakes
- Assuming every post office or acceptance facility takes passport photos.
- Bringing a digital file when the paper application requires a printed photo.
- Bringing a print on ordinary office paper or one with the wrong dimensions.
- Waiting until the appointment to discover that photo service is unavailable.
Compare options
Store photo vs online passport photo
| Option | What you get | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Retail counter | A printed 2x2 photo from an in-store camera setup. | Requires a trip, store availability, and another visit if the photo is rejected. |
| Do-it-yourself print | A photo sheet you print at home, at CVS, or at another photo kiosk. | Paper quality, sizing, shadows, and cropping still have to be right. |
| PassportSnapper | $8 validated output for your selected application type. | You still need to submit online or print on photo-quality paper for paper applications. |
Common questions
FAQ
Does every post office take passport photos?
No. Availability depends on the acceptance facility, so check before your appointment.
Can I bring my own passport photo?
Yes, if it meets the official requirements for your application type.
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