Photo Size
Your passport photo must be exactly 2 inches x 2 inches (51mm x 51mm). The photo must show the head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, with the head centered.
- Viewfinder: 2x2 inches (51x51mm)
- Head height: 1-1 3/8 inches (25-35mm)
- Eye level: 1 1/8 - 1 3/8 inches (28-35mm) from bottom
Background
The background must be a plain white or off-white color without any patterns, shadows, or objects. The background must extend behind your head and shoulders.
Acceptable
- Pure white (#FFFFFF)
- Off-white (#F5F5F5)
- Light gray (#FAFAFA)
Not Acceptable
- Patterns or textures
- Colored backgrounds
- Shadows or gradients
Head Position and Composition
Your face must be directly facing the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open. The head must be centered and fill 50-69% of the photo's vertical height.
- Face straight on, not turned or tilted
- Head centered in the frame
- Distance from chin to top of head: 1-1 3/8 inches (25-35mm)
- Eyes at height between 1 1/8 and 1 3/8 inches from bottom
Facial Expression
A natural facial expression with the mouth closed and both eyes open is required. Do not smile broadly or have any unusual expressions.
Expression Checklist
- Both eyes open and visible
- Mouth closed, no visible teeth
- Neutral expression
- Face directly toward camera
Glasses and Headwear
Glasses are not allowed in passport photos unless you have a medical certificate documenting a medical need. Sunglasses are never permitted.
Headwear is generally not allowed unless worn daily for religious reasons. If wearing religious headwear, your full face must still be visible.
Note: If you wear glasses or headwear for religious reasons, you may need to provide a signed statement explaining why it cannot be removed.
Clothing and Attire
Wear normal street clothing in your passport photo. The focus should be on your face, not your outfit.
Acceptable Clothing
- Solid color shirts and blouses
- Everyday casual wear
- Religious attire (headwear may be required)
- Dark or light colored clothing
Avoid These
- Uniforms or military clothing
- Camouflage patterns
- Work uniforms (nurse, police, etc.)
- Overly flashy or distracting outfits
Tip: Solid, contrasting colors work best. Avoid white-on-white if your background is white, or black-on-black if using a dark background.
Lighting
The photo must have even lighting across the face and background. There should be no shadows on the face, behind the head, or on the background.
- No shadows on face or background
- Even illumination across entire photo
- No red-eye effect
- Natural skin tone reproduction
Digital Photo Requirements
If submitting a digital photo, it must meet these minimum specifications:
- Resolution: Minimum 300 DPI
- Pixels: At least 600x600 pixels
- Color: 24-bit color (RGB)
- Format: JPEG or PNG
- File size: Maximum 240KB (for online form)
Quality Standards
Your photo must be clear, in focus, and unaltered by computer software. The photo should be a recent, true representation of your appearance (taken within the last 6 months).
Must Have
- Sharp and in focus
- Natural color representation
- Recent photo (within 6 months)
Not Allowed
- Digital enhancement or filters
- Black and white photos
- Blurry or pixelated images
Common Passport Photo Mistakes to Avoid
These are the most frequent reasons passport photos get rejected. Avoid these issues to ensure your application is processed without delays.
Head Too Large or Too Small
The head must fill 50-69% of the photo vertically. Too large and it's cropped; too small and facial features may be hard to identify.
Incorrect Background Color
Using a colored, patterned, or non-uniform background is a leading cause of rejection. Pure white or off-white only.
Shadows on Face or Background
Uneven lighting creates shadows that obscure facial features or create the appearance of a non-uniform background.
Old Photo
Photos must be taken within the last 6 months. An old photo showing different appearance may cause rejection.
Red-Eye or Flash Artifacts
Camera flash can cause red-eye, white-out, or other artifacts that alter the natural appearance of your eyes.
Official Resources
For the most current and authoritative information, refer to these official U.S. government sources:
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U.S. Department of State - Passport Photos
The official source for all passport photo requirements and guidelines.
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USCIS - Photo Requirements
Photo requirements for immigration-related documents.