U.S. passport photo requirements
As of October 25, 2026, a U.S. passport photo is 2 x 2 inches with the head 1 to 1 3/8 inches tall, taken in the last 6 months on a plain white or off-white background (per travel.state.gov, checked on Oct 25, 2026).
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.
To renew a U.S. passport online, the photo must be a JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF file between 54 KB and 10 MB.
A U.S. passport photo is printed at 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). Inside that square, the head must measure between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm), from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Distance decides the head size. The State Department’s advice is to stand several feet away from the wall: a camera that is too close makes the head too big, one that is too far makes it too small.
Source: travel.state.gov
White or off-white, plain, and free of shadows, texture, objects or lines. A white sheet or blanket hung over a colored wall works, according to the State Department.
Do not fix a busy background with an app. The State Department lists photos with a background cut out by a retouching tool as unacceptable, because the outline of the head, face and neck changes. Take a new photo against a light wall instead.
Source: travel.state.gov
No glasses. Eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses all come off, and they cannot rest on top of the head either. The only exception is a medical one, documented with a signed note from a doctor.
Hats and head coverings also come off, unless they are religious attire worn daily in public or are worn for medical reasons; either case needs a signed statement, and the full face must stay visible without shadows.
Source: travel.state.gov
A digital file instead of a print: JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF, from 54 KB to 10 MB, in color and taken in the last 6 months. Frame it so the bottom edge falls at the shoulders, near where they meet the arms.
The renewal application lets you crop and reposition the photo and checks basic requirements on upload. A State Department employee still reviews it after the application arrives.
Source: travel.state.gov
On matte or glossy photo-quality paper, at exactly 2 x 2 inches. Photocopies, scans, prints with creases or smudges and photos with red eye are refused.
When renewing by mail with Form DS-82, staple the photo to the form with four staples placed vertically in the corners, close to the outer edges, and do not bend it.
Sources: travel.state.gov · eforms.state.gov
One. The State Department asks for one color photo taken in the last 6 months, and Form DS-82 says to attach one photo, 2 x 2 inches in size. Source: official pages "Passport Photos" and "Form DS-82 (04-2025), U.S. Passport Renewal Application › Instructions, item 2", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
Yes. A friend or family member is one of the three options the State Department lists, next to acceptance facilities and photo businesses. The photo still has to meet every size, background and lighting rule. Source: official page "Passport Photos", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
Yes, if it meets the rules. The State Department notes that photos taken on a mobile device may already save as JPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF, and asks for the camera’s highest quality setting. A photo of a printed photo is not allowed. Source: official pages "Uploading a Digital Photo" and "Passport Photos", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
No. SelfieToPassport is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or any other government agency. The U.S. Department of State publishes the photo rules for free at travel.state.gov; this page links to each one.
For U.S. documents we crop and resize your original photo. We do not replace the background: the State Department lists photos with a background cut out by software as unacceptable.
Ready? Free preview with the measurements drawn on your photo; $6.95 for the digital file and both print sheets.
Make my U.S. passport photoEvery rule on this page comes from a page published by the U.S. Department of State, 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.
