The short version
- SelfieToPassport: a new photo from your phone for $6.95, measured against the rules in a free preview.
- Unacceptable photos are the State Department’s top reason for putting applications on hold.
- Online renewal: an employee reviews the photo and sends a letter or email if a new one is needed.
- Send what the letter asks for; the application waits until the new photo arrives.
- The new photo: color, taken in the last 6 months, not edited or filtered.
Your application goes on hold
A photo problem stops the application until it is fixed; it is not thrown out. The faster a new photo arrives, the sooner it moves again.
The rules
- The State Department says unacceptable photos are the number one reason it puts passport applications on hold. travel.state.gov
- After an online renewal arrives, a State Department employee reviews the photo and sends a letter or email if a new one is needed. travel.state.gov
What the new photo has to meet
Take a new photo rather than editing the old one: filters, smoothing and red-eye fixes are the kind of change the State Department refuses.
SelfieToPassport crops and sizes the new photo without changing what is in it, and shows the head size and position before you pay.
The rules
- The State Department asks for one color photo taken in the last 6 months. travel.state.gov
- The State Department rejects passport photos changed with computer software, phone apps or filters, and says it checks every photo for digital enhancement or alteration. travel.state.gov
- For online renewal, the State Department says a photo with red eye should not be edited; a new photo should be taken in natural light. travel.state.gov
FAQ
Does a rejected photo cancel my passport application?
No. The State Department puts the application on hold until it gets a photo it can accept. Source: official page "Passport Photos", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
Can I fix the rejected photo in an app?
No. The State Department refuses photos changed with software, apps or filters. Take a new photo instead. Source: official page "Passport Photos", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
Where this information comes from
Every rule on this page comes from a page published by the U.S. Department of State and the companies named, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.
- Passport Photos travel.state.gov · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Uploading a Digital Photo travel.state.gov · checked Oct 25, 2026
Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.