US Passport Online Renewal Photo

What the portal actually needs

Online renewal is a fully digital process — you upload a JPEG file to travel.state.gov. No printing, no physical stamp, no in-person submission. The portal validates your file automatically before accepting it.

Requirement	Value
File format	JPEG (.jpg / .jpeg) or HEIF
File size	54 KB – 10 MB
Color	Color only. No black & white.
AI editing / filters	Strictly prohibited since January 2026
Smartphone beauty mode	Not allowed. Disable before taking photo.
Background	Plain white or off-white. No shadows, patterns, or objects.
Head size in frame	50–69% of total image height (chin to crown)
Expression	Neutral. Mouth closed. Eyes open, looking at camera.
Glasses	Not allowed.
Photo recency	Taken within the last 6 months.

Common rejection reasons

The portal rejects photos automatically — there is no manual review at the photo stage. If your file fails, you must re-upload before your application can proceed.

Avoid these — PixID checks for them automatically.

✕AI-edited, filtered, or beauty-enhanced photo (zero tolerance from January 2026)
✕Shadows on face or background
✕Head too small or too large in the frame (outside 50–69% of image height)
✕Wrong file format or file size outside 54 KB – 10 MB
✕Non-white or non-off-white background
✕Photo older than 6 months
✕Glasses visible in the photo
✕Non-neutral expression (smiling, mouth open)

How PixID prepares your renewal photo

Upload your photo — taken with a smartphone or camera. We handle the technical requirements automatically.

1

Upload your photo

A smartphone photo works. You need another person or a tripod — selfies are not recommended by the State Department due to incorrect angles.
2

We validate and prepare the file

Crop to correct head size (50–69%), set white background, remove shadows, verify JPEG specs and file size within 54 KB – 10 MB. No AI face alteration — ever.
3

Download your compliant JPEG

The file is ready to upload directly to travel.state.gov. A compliance report shows exactly what was checked.

What PixID guarantees

✓No AI face alteration — required by State Department rules since January 2026
✓Compliance report shows exactly what was checked and verified
✓Free redo if your renewal is rejected due to the photo
✓Browser-based: your photo is never stored on our servers
✓Compliant with ICAO Doc 9303 and ISO/IEC 19794-5 — international standards behind US passport requirements

Compliant digital file — ready for travel.state.gov

Make my renewal photo — $4.99

Upload your photo. We crop, set background, validate specs. Download compliant JPEG in under 3 minutes.

Create my renewal photo ($4.99) →

Free redo if rejected · No server storage · Instant download

Frequently asked questions

Can I take the photo myself?

The State Department does not recommend selfies — the camera angle is typically wrong and head size is hard to control. Ask another person to take the photo, or use a tripod with a timer. A plain white wall, good natural light, and a smartphone camera are enough.

What file size does the portal require?

The portal accepts JPEG files between 54 KB and 10 MB. PixID outputs a file within this range automatically. If you upload directly from your phone, the raw file is typically too large and needs resizing before the portal will accept it.

Can I use a selfie?

The State Department advises against selfies for passport photos. Common issues: incorrect head angle, head too close or too far, background shadows from the arm. PixID can correct head size and background — but if the angle or expression is wrong, a retake will be needed.

My phone has beauty mode / portrait mode. Does that matter?

Yes — this is critical since January 2026. Disable beauty mode, portrait mode, and any automatic skin-smoothing before taking the photo. The portal now detects AI-processed images and rejects them automatically. Take the photo in standard camera mode.

What if the portal rejects my photo?

PixID offers a free redo if your online renewal application is rejected specifically because of the photo. Contact us with the rejection notice and we'll reprocess or issue a refund. The $130 application fee is a separate matter — which is exactly why getting the photo right the first time matters.

Is this different from a regular passport photo?

Yes. A standard passport application requires a physical 2×2 inch printed photo. Online renewal requires a digital JPEG uploaded to the portal — no printing. The composition rules are similar (head size, white background, neutral expression), but the file format, file size, and AI editing restrictions are specific to the digital submission.

Who is eligible for online renewal?

US citizens whose most recent passport was issued when they were 16 or older, the passport is less than 15 years old, and the passport is available to submit. The State Department is expanding eligibility — check travel.state.gov/renewonline for current requirements.

All photos validated against January 2026 State Department requirements

Get your compliant renewal photo in 3 minutes

Upload. We handle crop, background, file size. Download your JPEG — ready for travel.state.gov.

No AI face alteration · Free redo guarantee · Browser-only, no server storage

Make my renewal photo ($4.99) →

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