Passport Photo Requirements: Size, Background and Rules
The State Department says the correct printed size of a passport photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), with the head measuring between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. It asks for a color photo taken in the last 6 months, on a plain white or off-white background. The checklist below gives the main requirements in the State Department’s own words. The full list and the photo examples are on the State Department page.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Reviewed November 2, 2026 · Methodology & sources
The Passport Photos page was read from an Internet Archive copy captured July 10, 2026, not the live page; its footer said last updated March 24, 2026. We read 22 CFR 51.26 in the eCFR on November 2, 2026. The wording below is from those copies; the live State Department page may have changed since.
Passport photo checklist
| Requirement | State Department wording |
|---|---|
| Size | “The correct printed size of a passport photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).” |
| Head size | “The size of your head in the printed photo must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.” |
| Recent photo | “Submit 1 color photo taken in the last 6 months.” |
| Background | “Background must be white or off-white, free of shadows, and plain without texture, objects, or lines.” “If you are sitting in a wheelchair, it is okay if part of the head support is in the photo. Include a note with your application that explains that your background is not completely white because you are in a wheelchair.” |
| Lighting | “Have uniform lighting on your face.” |
| Glasses | “Take off any eyeglasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses. Do not rest them on your head for the photo.” “If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with your application.” |
| Face coverings | “Remove anything covering your face unless for documented religious or medical reasons.” “Take off any face covering or medical mask. Your full face must be visible.” |
| Hats and head coverings | “Take off your hat or head covering. If you wear one for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that says it is religious attire worn daily in public. If you wear one for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor's statement that says you wear it for medical purposes.” “If you must wear a hat or head covering:
Your full face must be visible
There should be no shadows or parts of your face blocked
It should be one color
The material should not have patterns or small holes” |
| Clothing and headphones | “You cannot wear a uniform, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage clothing.” “You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices in or on your ears.” |
| Expression and pose | “Face the camera directly with your full face in view and head not tilted.” “Avoid exaggerated facial expressions. You can smile in your photo. Just make sure your eyes are open and your mouth is closed.” |
| Edits and filters | “Submit the original, unchanged photo. Do not change your photo using computer software, phone apps or filters, or artificial intelligence.” |
| Print quality | “Print your photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. Do not submit photocopies or digitally scanned photos.” |
| Babies and toddlers | “No other person can be in the photo. The child must face the camera.” “It is okay if a baby's eyes are not entirely open. All other children must have their eyes open.” |
Head size: two sentences on one page
“The size of your head in the printed photo must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.”
“Your photo should be 2 inches by 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) with the head centered and sized between 1 inch and 1.4 inches (25 and 35 mm).”
Note that two sentences on the same page word the upper limit differently: 1 3/8 inches in the head-size rule and 1.4 inches in the photo tips. 1 3/8 inches equals 1.375 inches (our arithmetic). Both sentences give 25 and 35 mm as the metric range.
Why photos are rejected, per the State Department
“Unacceptable photos are the number one reason why we put passport applications on hold.”
“Your passport photo will be rejected if it is too blurry, grainy, pixelated or printed on the wrong paper. Photos should be high resolution.”
“Photos that are taken too close or too far away will be rejected.”
Some of the reasons the page gives; it lists others, such as red eye and damaged photos, and shows many example photos that are not reproduced here.
Paper form or online renewal
“Learn photo requirements for applying or renewing your passport with a paper form. For online renewal, upload a digital photo to your application.”
The page covers the paper-form requirements. It points to a separate State Department page for the digital photo used in online renewal, and that page is not covered here.
The State Department Passport Photos page does not mention selfies by name.
What the regulation says
“The applicant must submit with his or her application photographs as prescribed by the Department that are a good likeness of and satisfactorily identify the applicant.”
22 CFR 51.26 gives no size or other measurement; it refers to photographs as prescribed by the Department.
Where to get a photo and what it costs
The page lists three places to get a passport photo taken: an acceptance facility, any company that offers photo services, and a friend or family member.
“Acceptance facilities and photo vendors charge different fees for taking your photo.”
For passport application and execution fees, see how much a passport costs and the passport book versus card comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a U.S. passport photo?
The State Department’s Passport Photos page (last updated March 24, 2026, as captured July 10, 2026) said the correct printed size is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). One sentence on that page gave the head size, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, as between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm); the photo tips on the same page said between 1 inch and 1.4 inches (25 and 35 mm).
What background does a passport photo need?
The State Department’s Passport Photos page (last updated March 24, 2026, as captured July 10, 2026) said the background must be white or off-white, free of shadows, and plain without texture, objects or lines.
Can you wear glasses in a passport photo?
The State Department’s Passport Photos page (last updated March 24, 2026, as captured July 10, 2026) said to take off eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses and not to rest them on the head. It asked for a signed note from a doctor with the application if the glasses cannot be removed for medical reasons.
How recent must a passport photo be?
The State Department’s Passport Photos page (last updated March 24, 2026, as captured July 10, 2026) said to submit 1 color photo taken in the last 6 months.
Can a passport photo be edited or filtered?
The State Department’s Passport Photos page (last updated March 24, 2026, as captured July 10, 2026) said to submit the original, unchanged photo, and not to change it with computer software, phone apps, filters or artificial intelligence.
Is a selfie accepted as a passport photo?
The State Department’s Passport Photos page (last updated March 24, 2026, as captured July 10, 2026) did not mention selfies by name. It listed an acceptance facility, a company that offers photo services and a friend or family member as places to get the photo taken.
What about the digital photo for online renewal?
The State Department’s Passport Photos page (last updated March 24, 2026, as captured July 10, 2026) covered photo requirements for a paper form and pointed to a separate page for uploading a digital photo when renewing online. The rules on that separate page are not covered here.
What does a passport photo cost?
The State Department’s Passport Photos page (last updated March 24, 2026, as captured July 10, 2026) said acceptance facilities and photo vendors charge different fees for taking the photo and gave no amount. Passport application fees are on our passport fee page.
Related guides
Sources (reviewed November 2, 2026): U.S. Department of State: Passport Photos · eCFR: 22 CFR 51.26 Photographs