US Photo Guide · March 2026
US Passport Photo Requirements: Complete 2026 Checklist
This is the definitive reference for passport photo requirements, US passport photo rules, passport photo size, and official passport photo guidelines—aligned with current State Department instructions for prints and digital uploads.
Written by the PixID.studio compliance team · Updated March 2026 · Experience: thousands of U.S. passport-style validations. Official sources: U.S. Department of State — passport photos · Passport photo requirements (digital & print) (travel.state.gov).
TL;DR: 2×2 inches, plain white or off-white background, neutral expression (or closed-mouth natural smile), no glasses (since 2016, except documented medical exception), taken within the last 6 months. PixID.studio runs 100+ compliance checks for $4.99—background cleanup, correct crop, and export for print or digital filing.
Quick specs (print & digital)
Use this table as a fast answer to “what are the passport photo requirements?” Full detail follows in each section below.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) for prints |
| Head height | 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from bottom of chin to top of hair |
| Background | Plain white or off-white; no patterns, people, or objects |
| Resolution | 300 DPI for printed photos; digital uploads 600×600 to 1200×1200 px (square JPEG) |
| Format | JPEG for digital; glossy or matte photo paper for prints (professional quality) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Color | Must be in color—black-and-white images are not accepted |
Passport photo size & dimensions
Printed applications: The finished photograph must measure exactly 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). The subject’s head—from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair—must occupy between 50% and 69% of the total image height, which corresponds to roughly 1 inch to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) on the print. The eye height should fall in the correct band so your face is neither too small nor cropped too tight; that proportion is what most passport photo rules rejections come down to.
Digital filing (online renewal and similar): Submit a square JPEG between 600×600 pixels (minimum) and 1200×1200 pixels (maximum). File size must be at least 54 KB and no more than 10 MB. Only JPEG is accepted for these uploads—PNG, HEIC, PDF, or TIFF will fail. Details match State Department digital image requirements on travel.state.gov.
For a deeper dive on measurements alone, see our dedicated 2×2 passport photo size guide.
Background & lighting
The backdrop must be plain white or off-white with no patterns, textures, wall art, windows, or furniture visible. There must be no shadow on the background behind your head and no heavy shadows on your face—harsh side light and overhead downlight are common failure modes. Prefer soft, even lighting (large window light or diffused indoor light) so skin tone looks natural. Do not use colored gels, stage lighting, or visible flash hotspots on the cheeks or forehead.
Facial expression & pose
Use a neutral expression or a natural smile with your mouth closed—no teeth showing, no exaggerated grin. Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera. Your head must be centered, square to the lens, and not tilted (no Dutch angle, no chin tucked to chest, no head turned away). Shoulders should face forward; three-quarter poses are not acceptable for US passport photos.
Glasses rule (2016 policy)
Prescription glasses are not allowed in US passport photos as of November 2016, with one narrow exception: if you cannot remove glasses for documented medical reasons, you must provide a signed statement from a medical professional explaining why. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are never permitted. This single rule eliminated a huge share of older “passport photo guidelines” advice still floating on the web—ignore any article that tells you to wear everyday eyeglasses without mentioning the medical exception.
More context: passport photo glasses policy.
Hair & facial hair
Hair must be styled so it does not cover your eyes, eyebrows, or face. Ears do not need to be visible—that is a myth carried over from some other countries’ rules. Any everyday hairstyle is acceptable (up, down, braids, etc.) as long as your full face is visible. Beards and mustaches are fine if they reflect your normal daily appearance; do not grow or shave specifically to match an old photo.
What to wear
Wear normal street clothes—what you would wear any day. Uniforms (military, airline, scouting, etc.) and camouflage are not allowed. Avoid white or off-white tops that disappear into a white background; choose darker or mid-tone colors for contrast. Head coverings are prohibited except for religious attire or medical headwear supported by documentation, with the face visible from hairline to chin. Small, non-reflective jewelry is generally acceptable; avoid large dangling earrings that obscure the jawline.
Makeup guidelines
Natural-looking makeup is allowed. Avoid heavy contouring, thick eyeliner, false lashes, or anything that changes the shape of your eyes or jaw in a way that does not match day-to-day appearance. Skip glossy, glittery, or metallic products that create hot spots under passport booth lighting. The goal is to look like you on a normal day, not a studio glamour shot.
See also: passport photo makeup.
Baby & child passport photo requirements
Infants and children use the same 2×2 inch size as adults. For very young babies, eyes may be partially closed if a fully open shot is impossible—but strive for both eyes open when you can. No other people (hands, faces, or bodies) may appear in the frame. No pacifiers, toys, or bottles. The child must be alone on the plain background. For step-by-step help, read our baby and child passport photo guide and baby passport photo at home.
Digital passport photo requirements (online renewal)
US passport online renewal uses a MyTravelGov account. You will upload one color JPEG that meets the same composition rules as a paper photo: correct head size, white background, neutral expression, no glasses, etc. Technical limits: 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels, 54 KB–10 MB, JPEG only. Do not scan an old print and upload it—the portal expects a native digital capture that satisfies digital passport photo requirements. Our digital passport photo and USA online renewal guides walk through the flow.
How to check compliance before you submit
- Upload to PixID.studio (/idphoto): Our engine runs 100+ checks against US passport-style rules, removes non-compliant backgrounds, resizes to valid digital dimensions, and outputs print-ready 2×2 files—$4.99 with a money-back guarantee.
- State Department resources: The official passport photos page includes a basic crop/compliance helper for orientation only—it does not replace a full validation pipeline.
- Why PixID: Automated background replacement, precise resize to square JPEG limits, and expert-style verification in one flow—ideal when you are unsure whether your snapshot meets every passport photo requirement.
Common rejection reasons
- Wrong size or head proportion (head too small or too large in the frame)
- Shadow on the background or visible objects behind the subject
- Glasses worn without a qualifying medical statement
- Photo older than six months or visibly outdated vs. current appearance
- Digital editing, filters, beauty modes, or AI face retouching
- Wrong file format, resolution, or file size for digital uploads
If you were rejected before, see US passport photo rejected and passport photo rejection reasons.