Getting your passport photo rejected can delay your travel plans by weeks. This comprehensive guide covers all official U.S. Department of State requirements to ensure your passport application is accepted the first time.
Create Compliant Passport PhotoThe U.S. Department of State enforces strict requirements for passport photos to ensure facial recognition systems work effectively and to maintain security standards. Non-compliant photos are the #1 reason for passport application rejections, causing delays of 2-8 weeks in processing.
This guide covers the official requirements updated for 2025, including precise measurements, background specifications, expression guidelines, and technical standards. Following these requirements is essential whether you're applying for a new passport, renewing an existing one, or replacing a lost or damaged passport.
Time-Saving Tip: Our AI-powered tool can automatically check if your photo meets most requirements and make necessary adjustments. Simply upload your photo to get a compliant passport photo in seconds.
Let's dive into the specific requirements you need to follow for a successful passport application.
Left: A compliant passport photo meeting all requirements. Right: A non-compliant photo with common issues highlighted.
The U.S. Department of State requires passport photos to meet precise measurements:
Getting these measurements exactly right can be challenging. Our app automatically sizes and positions your head to meet these requirements precisely, eliminating guesswork.
Exact measurements required for U.S. passport photos, showing proper head positioning and size.
Common Mistake: Using a colored or textured background. Even subtle patterns or off-white walls with texture can cause rejection. Our app automatically removes any background and replaces it with the perfect shade of white required by passport authorities.
Your facial expression and pose in a passport photo must meet specific criteria to ensure accurate identification:
While a neutral expression is required, this doesn't mean you need to look unhappy. A relaxed, natural face with a slight hint of a smile (sometimes called "smizing" or smiling with your eyes) is acceptable as long as your mouth remains closed.
Examples of acceptable (neutral) and unacceptable (smiling, frowning, looking away) facial expressions for passport photos.
Need Help? Our app can analyze your photo and tell you if your expression, head position, and attire meet passport requirements. If there are issues, we'll provide specific guidance on how to correct them.
If you're submitting a digital photo or applying online, your digital image must meet these technical specifications:
Higher resolution photos are better, as they contain more detail. Our app ensures your digital photo meets all these technical requirements while maintaining optimal quality.
Examples of unacceptable photo quality issues like graininess, blurriness, overexposure, and pixelation.
Understanding why passport photos get rejected can help you avoid common pitfalls. Here are the most frequent reasons for rejection:
Non-medical glasses without a physcian's note are not permitted in passport photos.
Source: U.S. Department of State
Common reasons for passport photo rejection, with visual examples from the U.S. Department of State.
Avoid Rejection: Our app automatically checks for many of these common issues and corrects or warns you of them before you submit your application. Upload your photo to get instant verification and suggested adjustments that ensure compliance with all requirements.
Passport photos for babies and children must meet the same requirements as adult photos, but with a few special considerations:
For infants, the State Department recommends placing them on their back on a plain white sheet. Take the photo from above, ensuring no shadows fall on their face. For toddlers, you might try seating them in a car seat covered with a white sheet.
The State Department recognizes that some individuals may have medical conditions that make it impossible to meet all photo requirements:
If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to meet photo requirements, include a signed doctor's statement with your application explaining the condition and why it prevents compliance with specific requirements.
Religious head coverings are permitted in passport photos, provided:
Examples of compliant passport photos for special cases: infant, medical eyewear, and religious head covering.
Getting a compliant passport photo doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. Here are your options:
Traditional options for professional passport photos include:
While these services offer convenience, they don't always guarantee compliance with all requirements, and quality can vary significantly between locations.
Modern digital options offer convenience and often better quality control:
If you prefer to create your own passport photo:
Expert Tip: Even if you take your own photo, use our verification tool to ensure it meets all requirements before submitting. Our system checks over 20 different compliance factors in seconds, potentially saving you weeks of delay from a rejected application.
No, the U.S. Department of State requires a "neutral facial expression" with a natural, relaxed face and both eyes open. This means no smiling with teeth showing, no frowning, and no raised eyebrows. A slight, closed-mouth natural expression is acceptable as long as it's not a full smile.
Yes, you can wear makeup as long as it represents your everyday appearance. Avoid heavy makeup that significantly alters your features. Permanent makeup and tattoos are acceptable. Remember that your passport may be valid for 10 years, so very trendy or dramatic makeup might make your identification more difficult later.
Yes, you can wear jewelry including earrings, necklaces, and piercings as long as they don't obscure your face or cast shadows. Everyday jewelry that you normally wear is best. Very large or distracting pieces might be problematic if they cover facial features.
As of November 2016, glasses are not allowed in passport photos, even if you wear them daily. The only exception is for medical reasons that make it impossible to remove glasses, which requires a signed doctor's statement. If you must wear glasses for medical reasons, ensure there's no glare and the frames don't cover your eyes.
Yes, you can use a photo taken with a smartphone if it meets all the requirements for quality, lighting, background, and composition. Modern smartphones often have cameras capable of taking high-quality photos. Our app can help process photos taken with any device to ensure they meet all passport requirements.
Your passport photo must be taken within the 6 months prior to submitting your application. It should reflect your current appearance. If your appearance changes significantly (major weight change, facial surgery, gender transition, etc.), you should consider getting a new passport with an updated photo.
Don't risk rejection and weeks of delay. Our AI-powered tool ensures your passport photo meets all U.S. Department of State requirements with 100% compliance guaranteed.