Requirement guide
U.S. Passport Photo Requirements
U.S. passport photos must be recent color photos with correct 2x2 sizing, centered face, plain white or off-white background, even lighting, visible eyes, no glasses, and no filters, retouching, or AI changes.
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Requirements Summary
| 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.
Fast workflow
How to get it done
- Identify whether the application needs a printed 2 x 2 photo or a digital file for eligible online renewal.
- Take a recent color photo with a plain white or off-white background, even lighting, centered head, visible eyes, and no glasses.
- Keep the original image unchanged: do not use filters, retouching, red-eye correction, background replacement, scans, or pictures of printed photos.
- Upload the original to PassportSnapper and review the size, crop, background, lighting, expression, and quality checks.
- Use the appropriate output and submit the passport application yourself through the correct State Department process.
Rejection risks
Common mistakes
- Checking only the 2 x 2 crop while overlooking head height, background, lighting, or image quality.
- Using glasses, an open-mouth expression, closed eyes, a tilted head, or hair covering the eyes.
- Submitting a photo with shadows, texture, wall lines, objects, blur, grain, or non-white background color.
- Editing the face or background, using AI cleanup, or submitting a scan or picture of a printed photo.
- Confusing the photo requirements with the separate application and submission requirements.
Quick answers
FAQ
What is the most common rejection risk?
The State Department says unacceptable photos are the top reason passport applications are put on hold.
Can I digitally remove the background?
No. Submit the original unchanged photo; background replacement can change the outline of the head, face, or neck.
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