Obtaining a valid passport photo may seem complicated, but it is not when you follow the specific instructions about passport photos. Here are frequently asked questions that may help you get your passport photo approved. It is vital to follow the guidelines carefully to avoid delays in your passport application.
Table of Contents
What is not allowed in a passport photo?
The United States Department of State strictly forbids the following in passport photos:
- Outdated Photo — A passport that was taken more than six months ago may delay your passport application. Your facial features may have changed over time. Thus, you need to submit a recently taken passport photo.
- Bad Lighting — A passport photo that is overexposed or underexposed is not allowed. Your face on your passport photo must be clear. Do not use filters or other photo effects. Bad lighting also causes your passport photo to have visible shadows. Make sure you are in good lighting when taking the picture.
- Unclear Photo — Your passport photo must be clear and without any obstructions such as shadows, reflections, or glares. A marred passport photo is strictly forbidden.
- Busy Background — You should not have any background distractions in your passport photo. There is no need for you to wear fancy clothes or pose with props. Also, avoid taking passport photos near reflective surfaces or busy backgrounds.
- Low Resolution — It is highly recommended that you use a decent camera to take your passport photos. Make sure the resolution of the photo is at least 500 pixels per inch. Check your image properties to ensure the pixel dimensions are between 3,000 and 4,500 pixels. Also, you must use high-quality paper and a printer to print your passport photo.
- Signatures — Your passport must not have any other marks or writings besides the required information on the back of the photo. Signatures from anyone besides yourself are not allowed.
- Incorrect Size — The size of a passport photo must be as per the required dimensions. It is to ensure that your face is evenly seen on your passport photo. Your head must be centered and must measure between 1 inch and 1.4 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head. Do not step too close or near the camera.
- Tinted or Colored Photo — A tinted passport photo is not allowed as it may prevent the necessary facial matching.
- Out of Focus — Your passport photo must be sharp and crisp so authorities can see your facial features.
- Masked Face — Your passport photo must not have any obstructions in it. Remove your mask when taking a passport photo.
- Accessories — Head coverings, glasses, headphones, and wireless hands-free devices are not allowed. If you wear head coverings or glasses for religious or medical purposes, you must submit a signed statement.
- Photoshop Editing — Any alterations to your appearance must not be visible, including edits that will remove or hide wrinkles, scars, red eyes, moles, and tattoos.
Can I take a passport photo with my phone?
Yes. You are allowed to use your phone or any image-taking device to capture your passport photo so long as it meets the specifications. However, if your phone camera quality is low, your passport photo may be rejected.
Can you show teeth in a passport photo?
No, you cannot show your teeth in a passport photo. Instead, keep your mouth closed and smile naturally if possible. Your smile must not show your teeth as this may cause a problem with facial matching.
Additionally, squinty eyes, tongue sticking out, tongue in cheek, or any unnatural facial expressions are not allowed. Your passport photo must be taken naturally to ensure your identification.
What size should my passport photo be?
Your passport photo must be 2 inches in width and height. Your head must be centered and must measure between 1 inch and 1.4 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head.
What is the appropriate background for a passport photo?
Your passport photo must be against a plain, light-colored background. You may use a white or off-white background to emphasize your face. Do not use a dark or busy background.
Avoid busy patterns and bright, contrasting colors for your background as they are noticeable and may overshadow your image.
What should I do if my passport photo is rejected?
If your passport photo is rejected, you will receive a notification letter describing what went wrong and how to fix it.
The last thing you want on your passport application is a rejection stamp. You may use the Photo Tool offered free by the U.S. Department of State to get the correct size of a passport photo. If you want to do it yourself, use a high-quality digital or phone camera. You may also hire a professional photographer to take your passport photo.
Do children need their own passport photos?
Yes, all passport applicants, including children, must have their own passport photo, whether they are applying for a new passport or renewing one.
Can I use a selfie as my passport photo?
No, selfies are not allowed to be used as official passport photos. You may use a high-quality digital or phone camera set on a tripod to take your passport photos yourself.
Why can you not smile in passport photos?
You may smile in your passport photo. However, make it a natural smile and do not show your teeth.
Smiling with teeth is not allowed in passport photos as it may interfere with facial recognition technology used to verify your identity. To ensure your passport photo will not be rejected, you may do a neutral face or close your mouth while smiling.
What should children wear for passport photos?
Children should wear clothing with neutral colors and without any logos or printing on it. Their hair must be neat and pulled back off of their faces. For babies or toddlers, there must be no props or other materials.
Parents or anybody else should not appear in their child’s passport photo. To take passport photos of babies or toddlers, you may lay them on their back on a plain white background.
Can I wear lipstick for my passport photo?
Yes, you can wear light lipstick or make-up in your passport photo. Avoid make-ups with strong colors or dark shades as your face may not appear natural.
How should I wear my hair for a passport photo?
You may style your hair however you desire as long as your entire face is visible. Avoid beanies, turtlenecks, or head covers that hide your face.
For men, you may wear your hair the way you normally do. If you are wearing dreadlocks or braids, make sure they are neat and tidy.
For women, it is best to wear your hair straight and off of your face. If you want to wear it in a ponytail or braid, make sure there is no hair covering part of your face.
What if I have tattoos? Can they be in passport photos?
Yes, tattoos are allowed in passport photos. However, if you do not want your tattoo to show in your passport photo, you may cover it with appropriate clothing.
Can you smile in a passport photo?
Yes, you can smile naturally in your passport photo. Do not show your teeth. If your teeth are showing in your passport photo, you must retake it. Avoid creating unusual smiles or mouths that obscure a part of your face.
Are you allowed to wear earrings in a passport photo?
Yes, you can wear earrings and other jewelry, like facial piercings, in your passport photo. However, make sure the earrings you wear are not large, showy, or distracting.
Can I wear a shirt in a passport photo?
Yes, you can wear a simple yet decent shirt in your passport photo. The U.S. Department of State recommends you to wear clothes you normally wear daily. Uniforms or camouflage attires are not allowed.
What color should you not wear for a passport photo?
Some colors may not appear natural in your passport photo. Shades of red, purple, green, and bright pink are tinted colors that do not look good printed on black-and-white photo paper. Avoid wearing an all-black or all-white wardrobe in your passport photo.
Is there a dress code for a passport photo?
Yes, there is a dress code for you to follow when taking your passport photo.
You must wear decent clothes you wear on a daily basis. Dress professionally and make sure your clothing is neat and clean. Avoid wearing outfits such as casual or beachwear, sleepwear, or tank tops.
How can I take a passport photo on my iPhone at home?
Use the following tips to take a passport photo on your iPhone or smartphone:
- Have a plain and light-colored background. You may buy or construct one or use a simple sheet.
- Make sure the lighting is good. You may use natural light from a window or use fluorescent lights that are positioned right overhead. Avoid using a strong flash or indoor lamps with low lighting levels.
- Place your phone at eye level and make sure it is in focus. Take a few photos of yourself to choose the best one later on. In the picture, make sure that your entire face is visible and that your head is centered in the photo. You may use a selfie stick to take a passport photo with your iPhone. However, to get the best result, you may have someone take a picture of you.
Can I do a passport photo on my iPhone?
Yes, you can. Follow the tips above to ensure your passport photo will not be rejected.
How do you make a 2×2 passport photo?
To make a 2×2 passport photo, you will need a professional photo printer and the correct template. You must print your passport photo using a good quality machine to avoid printing issues such as ink smearing and paper jamming.
You can find free templates of 2×2 photos on the official website of the U.S. Department of State. For accurate sizing, you may use their Photo Tool.
How much is a passport photo?
There is no definite price for a passport photo. Fees for passport photos vary depending on the photography studio or shop where you have it done.
Here are some photography studios where you may have your passport photo taken:
- FedEx Office for $14.95
- UPS Store for $11.99
- CVS Photo for $14.99
- Walgreens for $0.35
- Target for $12.99
- Walmart for $7.44
Can I take my own passport photo?
You are allowed to take your own passport photo. However, it must meet certain specifications. Otherwise, it may be rejected.
Your passport photo must show your entire face, front view with a neutral facial expression, and open eyes. Your head must be centered in the frame, and you should be looking directly into the camera.
If you cannot improvise your own passport photo, have someone take it for you or seek the help of a professional passport photographer.
What is a 2×2 picture?
A 2×2 picture is a photo that measures two inches or 51 millimeters in width and height. It is the correct measurement for passport photos.
Can I wear a turtleneck in a passport photo?
No, wearing a turtleneck or a shirt with a high neckline is not allowed in passport photos.
How can I get a free passport photo size?
You can use the Photo Tool of the U.S. Department of State to measure your photo. Simply upload your passport photo and use a compression ratio that is less than 20:1.
How do you light a passport photo?
Use natural lighting or fluorescent lighting that is located right above your head. Avoid using flash photography and indoor lamps with low lighting levels because they will distort the color of your skin tone.
The best times for taking passport photos are mornings and afternoons when the sun is low on the horizon. Taking passport photos during midday or late afternoon may cause shadows to form under your eyes and nose and make you look unnatural in photos.
What is an acceptable passport photo?
Here are specifics on what is an acceptable passport photo:
- Colored and was taken within the last six months
- Has a clear image of your face and without filters or effects
- Taken by someone else or not a selfie
- No glasses or other accessories are worn that obscure your face
- With a plain white or off-white background
How will I know if my passport photo is approved?
If you submit a passport photo that does not meet the specifications, you will receive a notice from the National Passport Center (NPC) informing you of an invalid photograph requirement. You can choose to correct this problem yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.
If your passport photo meets all the passport photo basics of the U.S. Department of State, your passport photo is approved. You may use their digital photo tool where you can upload your passport photo and check if it was accepted or not.
Do both ears have to show in a passport photo?
Yes, both ears must be seen in your passport photos.
Do I send two photos with my passport application?
No, you are only required to enclose one passport photo with your passport application.
What is the white balance in a passport photo?
The white balance of a passport photo should be neutral or balanced with no color cast. A slight yellow or red color cast may look natural under fluorescent lighting, but you are required to use an incandescent bulb instead.
A passport photo taken indoors should have little variation in light tones. You can control the lighting by using overhead lights or lamps that emit white light. Avoid using a flash because it might create unwanted shadows on your face and cause your skin tone to look unnatural.
How long should I hold my pose in a passport photo?
You have five seconds to keep a still pose while being photographed for a passport photo.
How close should I be to the camera in a passport photo?
Your eyes should be slightly above the view of the camera so that your face appears to be at eye level. You can measure this distance by using an object like a pencil or credit card. Place it upright on your head and align it with the top of the camera lens.
What is the correct pose in a passport photo?
The most preferred pose in your passport photos is to stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and have your arms at your side. Avoid crossing your arms because it may obstruct the view of your face and other body parts that need to be visible in your passport photos.
You are not allowed to laugh in a passport photo. Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression.
Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?
You may wear glasses for medical reasons, and you need to provide a signed statement. Your eyes must be visible and not obscured by glare or reflections. Ensure that there is no color cast on your glasses. The right lighting can help solve these problems.
What happens if I refuse to take a passport photo?
If you refuse to submit a mandatory passport photo or any other document, your passport application will be rejected.
You will not be given the option to submit a digital image. You will need to submit another passport application with a new passport photo.