US Passport Photo Requirements 2026

Complete Output Specifications

These are the exact specifications the State Department requires for any passport photo submitted online or in print. Every photo from GetPassPhoto meets all of these specifications automatically.

Size Requirements

The physical size of a US passport photo is 2x2 inches (51x51 mm). This applies to both printed photos submitted at passport acceptance facilities and digital files uploaded through online portals.

For digital submissions, the pixel dimensions must be at least 600x600 at 300 DPI. This translates to exactly 2 inches per side at print resolution. Higher resolutions (up to 1200x1200) are accepted and may provide a sharper result if printed. The aspect ratio must be exactly 1:1 — rectangular photos are rejected.

The file format must be JPEG in the sRGB color space. PNG, HEIC, TIFF, and other formats are not accepted by the upload portal. The file size should stay under 240 KB for reliable upload, though some portals accept files up to 5 MB.

Background Requirements

The State Department requires a plain white or off-white background. The official specification calls for white (#FFFFFF) or near-white with RGB values of 240 or higher in each channel. In practice, pure white is always the safest choice.

The following backgrounds are explicitly rejected:

• Colored backgrounds (blue, gray, cream, beige)
• Patterned or textured backgrounds (wallpaper, curtains, brick)
• Backgrounds with visible shadows
• Backgrounds with other people or objects visible
• Gradient backgrounds (even white-to-gray)

A common misconception: taking a photo in front of a white wall does not guarantee a white background. Walls have texture, shadow, and slight color casts from room lighting. GetPassPhoto replaces any background with pure white (#FFFFFF) to eliminate this variable entirely.

Head Size and Position

Head sizing is one of the most common reasons passport photos are rejected. The State Department specifies two critical measurements:

In a 600-pixel-tall photo, the head height must be between 300 and 414 pixels (50-69%). The eyes must be positioned between 336 and 414 pixels from the bottom (56-69%). These ranges are narrow. Manually cropping a photo to meet these exact measurements is difficult without specialized tools.

GetPassPhoto measures face landmarks automatically, calculates the correct crop position, and outputs a photo where head size and eye position are within the required ranges. No manual measurement needed.

Expression, Glasses, and Accessories

The State Department has specific rules about facial expression and what you can wear in your passport photo:

Lighting Requirements

The State Department does not specify exact lighting parameters, but photos are rejected for the following lighting issues:

• Shadows on the face (from side lighting or overhead lighting)
• Shadows on the background (from standing too close to the wall)
• Red-eye from flash
• Overexposure (washed-out features)
• Underexposure (dark, hard-to-identify features)
• Uneven lighting (one side of face significantly brighter than the other)

For best results: face a window during daylight hours, or use soft, even indoor lighting positioned in front of you. Avoid overhead lights, which create shadows under the nose and chin. Do not use flash directly at your face.

GetPassPhoto replaces the background with pure white, eliminating background shadows. However, we do not modify face lighting. If your face has heavy shadows, retake the photo with better lighting before uploading.

2026 Rules on Photo Editing

In January 2026, the US State Department issued guidance advising against photos edited with "computer software, phone apps or filters, or artificial intelligence." This guidance targets:

• Skin smoothing and retouching
• Face reshaping or feature alteration
• Beauty filters (found in phone camera apps)
• Generative editing (using tools to add or remove features)
• Color grading or artistic filters

GetPassPhoto operates within these guidelines. We perform only two operations on your photo: background replacement (to plain white) and cropping to the required 2x2 dimensions with correct head sizing. We do not alter facial features, smooth skin, adjust face brightness, apply filters, or perform any generative editing. The face region remains pixel-identical to your original photo.

This is why we describe our process as "auto-formatting" — we format the photo to meet specifications. We do not enhance, improve, or alter your appearance.

Input Photo Requirements (What to Upload)

These are the minimum requirements for the photo you upload to GetPassPhoto. We check all of these before processing:

For best results: use a recent phone photo taken in good lighting. Face the camera directly. Remove glasses and hats. Use a plain or simple background (we replace it, but complex backgrounds take slightly longer to process).

Print Sheet Specifications

The Photo + Print File package ($16.95) includes a 4x6 print sheet in addition to the digital passport photo.

Print the 4x6 sheet at any photo lab (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart) using their standard 4x6 photo print option. Cost is typically $0.30-$0.50 per print. Cut along the guides to get six individual 2x2 passport photos.

Common Rejection Reasons

Based on State Department data and publicly reported rejection patterns, these are the most frequent reasons passport photos are rejected:

1. Wrong dimensions or aspect ratio — Photo is not 2x2 or not square. Common when cropping manually.
2. Head too small or too large — Head height outside the 50-69% range. Very common with selfies.
3. Non-white background — Any background color, pattern, shadow, or gradient. Includes "almost white" walls.
4. Glasses — Any eyewear, including clear prescription glasses. Prohibited since 2016.
5. Shadows on face or background — Common with overhead lighting or flash.
6. Expression not neutral — Open mouth, squinting, or exaggerated smile.
7. Face not forward — Head turned, tilted, or angled. Must be straight-on.
8. Photo too old — Must be taken within the last 6 months and reflect current appearance.
9. Photo digitally altered — Filters, beauty modes, skin smoothing, or feature modification detected.
10. Eyes closed or obscured — Both eyes must be open and clearly visible.

GetPassPhoto checks for and eliminates issues 1, 2, 3, and 7 automatically. Issues 4, 5, 6, and 10 are flagged during upload with advisory warnings so you can retake the photo before paying. If a photo we deliver is rejected despite these checks, our 100% acceptance guarantee covers a full refund.

How to Take a Passport Photo at Home

You do not need professional equipment. A smartphone camera is sufficient. Follow these guidelines:

1. Face a window or bright, even light source. Avoid overhead-only lighting.
2. Stand or sit 3-5 feet from the camera. Ask someone to take the photo, or use a timer.
3. Remove glasses, hats, headphones, and any face coverings.
4. Keep a neutral expression — mouth closed, eyes open, looking at the camera.
5. Use any background. GetPassPhoto replaces it with white.
6. Take multiple shots and pick the sharpest one.
7. Upload to GetPassPhoto. We handle background, crop, sizing, and formatting.

For baby passport photos, the rules are slightly relaxed. Infants do not need to have a neutral expression, and closed eyes are more likely to be accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions