Passport Photo Requirements (Ears, Smile, Hair & More Rules Explained)

If you’re applying for a US passport, providing a photo that meets all official guidelines is crucial. A non-compliant image can result in delays or rejections.

Below, you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of the USA passport photo requirements applicants must follow to ensure a smooth application process.

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Passport Photo Requirements: In a Nutshell

Each US passport photo must meet specific technical requirements. These include:

• Color: The photo must be in color; black and white photos aren’t accepted
• Size: 2” x 2” or 51 mm by 51 mm
• Pixels: 600 x 600 px minimum
• Head: Centered and facing the camera; between 1 and 1 3/8” (25-35mm)
• Format: JPEG format only
• Digital photo size: Min. 54kB
• Cropping: Head, neck, and top of the chest must be visible with sufficient space between the top of the head and the top border of the photo
• Recency: The photo must have been taken within the last 6 (six) months

For a detailed overview of the US passport photo requirements, read on.

Passport Photo Guidelines: Checklist

After hours of research and countless sleepless nights, PhotoAiD® proudly presents the ultimate passport photo guidelines checklist. Be sure to read through each section carefully before submitting your passport photo to US agents.

And, as an additional read, have a look at our research study of the most common reasons ID photos get rejected.

So, what are some rules when it comes to your passport photo? Let’s dive in.

✅ US Passport Photo Size & Format

• The photo must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
• Your face must take up 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm) from chin to crown.
• The image must be high-resolution, in color, and printed on matte or glossy photo paper.
• The file format for digital passport photos must be JPEG with a minimum size of 54 kB.

✅ Background & Lighting

• The background must be plain white or off-white. Shadows in passport photos aren’t allowed.
• The lighting should be even to avoid overexposure or dark spots.
• No visible shadows on the face or background are allowed.

✅ Pose & Facial Expression

• Your expression should be neutral, with both eyes open and mouth closed.
• Smiling in passport photos is permitted, but no teeth should be visible.
• Your head must be centered and facing forward.

If you want to see examples of acceptable and unacceptable pictures, be sure to check our article with visual examples of passport photos.

✅ Attire & Accessories

What to wear for passport photo? It’s best to wear everyday clothes such as a shirt, t-shirt, or v-neck that does not obstruct any part of the face. Passport photo clothing requirements are lenient, but here’s what to consider:

• You should wear everyday attire, avoiding uniforms or camouflage patterns.
• No hats or head coverings are allowed unless worn for religious or medical reasons.
• Jewelry and piercings are acceptable if they don’t obscure the face.
• Necklaces mustn’t cause glare or shadows. Avoid bulky or flashy statement pieces.
• You can wear earrings in a passport photo if they don’t hide the face, cast shadows or cause glare.

💡 Can you wear a hoodie in a passport photo? Passport pictures rules allows you to wear a hoodie. However, it’s not recommended. A hood (just like a turtleneck) is likely to obstruct your neck or cast shadows on it, both of which are unacceptable. It’s best to remove a hoodie for a photo.

✅Hair guidelines

• Passport photo hair rules state that hair shouldn’t obscure the face. So, you can wear your hair up or down, in a ponytail or a bun.
• Bangs mustn’t cover the eyes or eyebrows. If they’re too long, use a hairpin.
• Beards are acceptable as long as they are a natural part of your look.
• Passport photo requirements state that you don’t have to show ears in a passport photo. They can be covered by the subject’s hair or have the individual’s hair tucked behind them. The most important is for your face and neck to be visible.

✅ Makeup

Passport photo requirements for makeup are very liberal; however, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Avoid reflective or excessive makeup that may alter natural facial features.
• Don’t do contouring, avoid lipliners, don’t wear fake eyelashes.
• Avoid glossy and shimmery products.
• Avoid dark and bold colors (relates to eyeshadows and lipstick).

Using natural-looking makeup or avoiding it altogether is best if you seldom wear it daily.

✅ Glasses

Can you wear glasses in a passport photo? Glasses (of any type) are not permitted in US passport photos and must be removed prior to snapping your picture–this includes corrective eyewear.

However, US citizens who wear glasses worn for significant medical reasons that are supported by a signed doctor’s statement can keep them for a passport photo.

✅Quality

Very specific guidelines exist in regard to the quality of photos submitted for US passport applications and renewals. For example, damaged, punctured, creased, or smudged passport photos will result in rejection due to non-compliance with photo quality standards.

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Taking US passport photos: Common mistakes to avoid

To prevent rejections, ensure that:

• The image is sharp and clear, with no blurring or pixelation.
• The background is plain white or off-white. Shadows are unacceptable (in the background or on your face).
• The face is fully visible, without hair, accessories, or clothing obstructing the features.
• No digital editing alters the natural appearance of the applicant.

Baby Passport Photo Requirements

The youngest US citizens (i.e., babies, infants, and toddlers) have their own special guidelines regarding passport photos. The major differences include the following:

• Newborns and infants may have their eyes partially open or closed and can open their mouths in their baby passport photos.
• The infant’s tongue can be visible but should not be explicitly sticking out; no pacifiers or outside objects (that may potentially obscure the newborn’s face) are permitted.
• The hands and arms can be present in the photo, provided they are not covering the face and are below the shoulders.

Furthermore, only the child may be present in the photo (other people cannot be seen holding them up), and they must be facing the camera directly.

Children old enough to understand and follow directions should adhere to the standard guidelines set out for adults (i.e., a neutral expression or slight smile with both eyes open).

Submission & Printing Guidelines

So you’ve scored the perfect shot and are now ready to apply for a passport. What about paper requirements for passport photos? And what if you want to apply online? Let’s discuss all you need to know about submission guidelines.

💡 How many photos for a passport application? Despite confusion, the official US Department of State guidelines state that you must submit only one color passport photo for new US passport applications or renewals. The photo must be taken in the last 6 months and comply with all guidelines.

Submitting passport photos online

For online applications, crease a MyTravelGov account and upload a digital passport photo that meets the official passport-style photo requirements:

• The image bust be between 600×600 px (min) and 1200×1200 px (max).
• Ensure your image is a JPEG file sized 240 kB or less.
• If you compress the file, the compression ratio should be 20:1 or less.
• Don’t scan printed pictures.

The MyTravelGov tool will then crop the photo to the appropriate size (if necessary), perform an initial quality check (to see if said photo complies with all requirements), and either “accept” or “reject” the photo. If the photo gets rejected, an error code will be generated.

Note that the US passport photo checker isn’t always accurate. Even if you get an error code but you’re sure your photo is compliant, don’t worry. A passport agent processing your application will verify the image manually.

Pro tip: The most common rejection reasons for digital passport pictures are the file format, size, and quality.

Attaching printed passport photos

You’ll need to print passport photos when renewing your passport via mail or applying for the first time. In these cases, you need to submit one passport-style photo printed on high-quality matte or glossy photographic paper.

Ensure your printouts are impeccable. Creases, ink marks, bends, smudges, or cuts aren’t acceptable.

For mail renewals, staple one 2 x 2-inch photo to Form DS-82 at four designated points (see an example below). Don’t use glue or sticky tape.

How to staple a passport photo to the application:

FAQ

Still looking for more information about US passport photo requirements? Read through the following questions and answers for more information on this topic.

Closing thoughts

There are a lot of passport photo guidelines applicants must follow when submitting their passport applications. Besides adhering to technical specifications (e.g., 2×2”, 600 x 600 pixels, etc.), there are more nuanced guidelines that some applicants may find confusing. For example, when are bangs considered too long? Or when is a smile too much?

One surefire way to take the guesswork out of passport photos is to use a trusted service like PhotoAiD®. Since all of our photos are double-checked to ensure compliance with all government regulations, you can rest easy knowing your photos are guaranteed to be approved (or double your money back).

Simon Wojtyczka

Simon Wojtyczka is a writer with experience living and working in 7 countries, each adding depth to his work. Holding a Master’s in Applied Linguistics, he has a profound grasp of language and its intricate ties to culture.