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Philippine passport photo requirements

Philippine passport photo: size and rules

As of October 25, 2026, Philippine passport applicants in the U.S. bring no photo, as the consulate takes it on site; a Philippine travel document needs four 2 x 2 inch prints (per philippineembassy-dc.org, checked on Oct 25, 2026).

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco gives light blue as the background color of the passport photo it takes, and asks that head coverings contrast with it.

Printed photos for a Philippine travel document from the Embassy in Washington must be recent: four color 2 x 2 inch photos taken within the last six months, on a white background.

Updated Rules checked against philippineembassy-dc.orgHow we check

Philippine passport photo at a glance

Background
Light blue, taken at the consulatepcgsanfrancisco.org
Glasses
Not allowednewyorkpcg.org

Questions people ask

Do you need a photo for a Philippine passport in the U.S.?

No. The Philippine Embassy in Washington and the consulates in New York and San Francisco take the passport photo themselves during the appointment, along with fingerprints. That is why every applicant, children included, appears in person, and why the application cannot be mailed.

A photo printed at home or at a store is not part of a regular passport application at these posts. Prints come into play only for a travel document, dual citizenship or, in New York, a lost passport.

Sources: philippineembassy-dc.org (pages 1, 2) · newyorkpcg.org · pcgsanfrancisco.org

What background does a Philippine passport photo have?

Light blue. The San Francisco consulate names light blue as the background color for passport photos and asks applicants to wear clothes, and head coverings, that stand out against it.

The printed photos that Philippine posts in the U.S. do ask for, for a travel document, dual citizenship or a lost passport in New York, use a white background instead.

Sources: pcgsanfrancisco.org · philippineembassy-dc.org (pages 1, 2) · newyorkpcg.org

What should you wear for a Philippine passport photo?

Modest clothes, ideally a collared top, and no colored contact lenses (clear ones are fine); New York also rejects images with eyeglasses or shades. Washington prohibits earrings; San Francisco may accept small studs that cast no shadow, but not theatrical makeup or eyelash extensions.

New York asks for a straight frontal pose with both ears and eyebrows visible and a “medium” smile without teeth. A scarf or veil worn for religious or health reasons can stay on.

Sources: philippineembassy-dc.org · newyorkpcg.org · pcgsanfrancisco.org

When do Filipinos in the U.S. need printed 2 x 2 inch photos?

For a travel document, the one-way emergency document for urgent travel to the Philippines: four 2 x 2 inch photos with a white background, which Washington also wants in color and taken within the last six months.

For dual citizenship in Washington, two recent color 2 x 2 inch photos on white, plus two for each minor child included. In New York, replacing a lost passport takes one 4.5 x 3.5 cm color photo on white, used only for the file.

Sources: philippineembassy-dc.org (pages 1, 2) · newyorkpcg.org (pages 1, 2)

Common reasons a photo is turned down

  1. The New York consulate rejects ePassport images distorted by a tilted head or a smile that is too wide, as well as heavy makeup or large earrings on women and makeup or earrings on men. newyorkpcg.org

Every rule, with its source

Background

  • The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco gives light blue as the background color of the passport photo it takes, and asks that head coverings contrast with it. pcgsanfrancisco.org
  • Photos for Philippine dual citizenship at the Embassy in Washington use a white background: two recent color 2 x 2 inch prints taken within the last six months. philippineembassy-dc.org

Glasses, head coverings and clothing

  • Modest attire is required at Philippine Embassy biometric appointments in Washington, and earrings and colored contact lenses are prohibited there. philippineembassy-dc.org
  • For the ePassport photo, the Philippine consulate in New York asks for a straight frontal pose, a “medium” smile with no teeth showing, a collared shirt or decent attire, and both ears and eyebrows in view. newyorkpcg.org
  • Eyeglasses and shades are a reason to reject a Philippine ePassport image in New York; clear contact lenses are allowed, but colored ones that hide the natural eye color are not. newyorkpcg.org
  • Head coverings that cannot come off for religious, medical or cultural reasons may stay on at the Philippine consulate in San Francisco if the face is clearly visible and the covering is close-fitting and one plain color. pcgsanfrancisco.org
  • Theatrical makeup, eyelash extensions and earrings are not allowed during photo capture in San Francisco, although small studs and facial piercings may pass if they neither hide the face nor cast a shadow. pcgsanfrancisco.org
  • The San Francisco consulate suggests collared tops, blouses or higher necklines instead of sleeveless tops or camisoles, in colors that stand out against the light blue backdrop. pcgsanfrancisco.org

How recent

  • Printed photos for a Philippine travel document from the Embassy in Washington must be recent: four color 2 x 2 inch photos taken within the last six months, on a white background. philippineembassy-dc.org

Printed photo

  • The Philippine Consulate General in New York likewise asks for four 2 x 2 inch photos with a white background for a travel document. newyorkpcg.org
  • Replacing a lost Philippine passport in New York takes one color 4.5 x 3.5 cm photo with a plain white background, which can come from any studio because it is kept only for the consulate’s files. newyorkpcg.org

Babies and children

  • Every Filipino applying for a passport at the San Francisco consulate, whatever the age, appears in person, because the picture, fingerprints and signature are taken on site. pcgsanfrancisco.org
  • The Philippine Embassy in Washington also requires applicants of every age to appear in person for biometric data collection. philippineembassy-dc.org
  • Each minor child added to a parent’s dual citizenship application in Washington needs two recent color 2 x 2 inch photos. philippineembassy-dc.org

Where photos come from

  • The Philippine Embassy in Washington tells passport applicants not to bring photos, because the passport photo is taken during the appointment. philippineembassy-dc.org
  • At the Philippine Embassy in Washington, fingerprints and the passport photograph are captured digitally during the appointment, and the applicant then confirms the personal details. philippineembassy-dc.org
  • A Philippine passport application cannot be sent by mail: the Embassy in Washington takes the photo and biometric data in person. philippineembassy-dc.org
  • The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco also takes the passport photo on site and says applicants do not need to bring one. pcgsanfrancisco.org
  • At the Philippine Consulate General in New York, data encoders take the ePassport photo digitally at enrollment, so no passport photo is required. newyorkpcg.org

Who reviews the photo

  • The Philippine Embassy in Washington forwards passport applications to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila for printing, and the passport takes six to eight weeks. philippineembassy-dc.org
  • A Philippine travel document, the emergency option for urgent trips home without a valid passport, is good only for direct one-way travel to the Philippines. philippineembassy-dc.org

FAQ

Can I smile in a Philippine passport photo?

A little. The New York consulate asks for a “medium” smile with no teeth showing and rejects images where the smile is too wide. Source: official page "Passport — Philippine Consulate General in New York", checked on Oct 25, 2026.

Can I mail my Philippine passport application from the U.S.?

No. The Embassy in Washington says applicants must appear in person, since the photo and biometric data are taken during the appointment. Source: official page "Frequently Asked Questions › Passport Services — Embassy of the Philippines", checked on Oct 25, 2026.

Do children have to go to the passport appointment?

Yes. The Embassy in Washington and the San Francisco consulate both require applicants of any age to appear in person for the photo and fingerprints. Source: official pages "Passport Services — Embassy of the Philippines, Washington, D.C." and "Philippine Passport › Other Reminders — Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco", checked on Oct 25, 2026.

Is SelfieToPassport the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C.?

No. SelfieToPassport is not affiliated with the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C. or any other government agency. The Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C. publishes the photo rules for free at philippineembassy-dc.org; this page links to each one.

Does SelfieToPassport replace the background of a Philippine travel document photo?

We crop and resize your original photo and never replace or repaint the background. If the wall does not pass the check, the tool asks for a new photo and tells you how to fix the light or the wall.

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Where this information comes from

Every rule on this page comes from a page published by the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C., 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.

Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.