USA Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – Size, Background & Rules
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USA Passport Photo Requirements 2026

Official specifications issued by U.S. Department of State. Use this guide to ensure your photo is accepted first time.

51 × 51 mm Plain white or off-white background 300 DPI Updated Jan 2026

📐 USA Passport Photo Specifications

SpecificationRequired Value
Photo Size51 × 51 mm  2 × 2 inches
Digital Dimensions600 × 600 pixels minimum
Resolution300 DPI
File FormatJPEG / JPG
File Size54 KB – 10 MB (online renewal) / Max 240 KB (visa/DV)
BackgroundPlain white or off-white  No colour
Face CoverageHead 1 to 1⅜ inches (50–69% of image height)
GlassesNot allowed (banned since 2016)
Photo RecencyWithin last 6 months
Head height1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown
Eye position1⅛ to 1⅜ inches from photo bottom
Digital upload600×1200 px, 54 KB–10 MB (online renewal)
Color spacesRGB — Adobe RGB causes skin tone rejection
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed (slight closed-mouth smile OK)
AI editingZero-tolerance ban from January 2026
HeadwearNot allowed (except religious/medical with documentation)
Issuing AuthorityU.S. Department of State

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✅ Photo Rules — What Is Required

  • Photo taken Within last 6 months
  • Neutral facial expression, mouth closed
  • Both eyes open and clearly visible
  • Plain white or off-white background — no patterns or shadows
  • Face centred and occupying 50–69% of image height) of the photo
  • Head upright, looking directly at the camera
  • Even lighting — no shadows on face
  • High quality, in focus — minimum 300 DPI
  • Not allowed (banned since 2016)
  • No headwear (except religious with documentation)
  • No digital filters, beauty effects, or editing
  • No shadows behind the head

🚫 Common Reasons for Photo Rejection

  • Photo older than 6 months
  • Wearing glasses (banned since 2016 — no exceptions)
  • Non-white or off-white background
  • Shadows on face or background
  • Smiling with teeth visible
  • Head not centred or tilted
  • Head too large or too small (must be 50–69% of image height)
  • Incorrect photo dimensions (must be square)
  • Wrong color space — must be sRGB not Adobe RGB
  • AI-edited or digitally altered photo (zero tolerance from Jan 2026)
  • Low resolution or blurry
  • Wearing a uniform or camouflage
  • Photo sent via WhatsApp (compression artefacts cause rejection)

📸 How to Take a Compliant Photo at Home

  • Stand against a plain white wall with even lighting from a window in front of you
  • Use your phone's rear camera on a tripod or rested surface — never a selfie camera
  • Keep the camera at eye level — not above or below
  • Ensure no shadows appear on your face or the background
  • Remove glasses before taking the photo
  • Wear dark clothing — it stands out from the white background
  • Do not use portrait mode, filters, or beauty correction
  • Do not take in a room with coloured walls behind you
  • Do not take in low light or with a light source behind you

Upload your photo — we crop it to the exact 51 × 51 mm size automatically.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

2×2 inches (51×51 mm), printed on matte or glossy photo paper. For digital online renewal, the file must be JPEG, 600×1200 pixels (square), between 54 KB and 10 MB. The head must measure 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to crown, occupying 50–69% of the image height.
No. The US State Department banned glasses in all passport photos in 2016 with no exceptions. Prescription glasses, reading glasses, and tinted lenses must all be removed before taking the photo.
From January 2026, the State Department enforces a zero-tolerance ban on digitally manipulated photos. AI-generated images, AI-enhanced photos, beauty filters, skin smoothing, and background replacement are all prohibited. Previously borderline submissions are now rejected outright. Use standard phone camera mode with all filters and portrait mode disabled.
Plain white or off-white only. No patterns, textures, coloured walls, or shadows. For digital submissions, the background must be photographically plain — digitally blurred or replaced backgrounds are rejected under the 2026 AI editing ban.
JPEG format (JPG, PNG, HEIC, or HEIF accepted), file size between 54 KB and 10 MB, square aspect ratio, 600×1200 pixels, sRGB color space. The State Department’s online system crops and adjusts head proportions after upload, so you do not need to crop to exactly 600×600 before uploading.
Within the last 6 months. The photo must be a true likeness of your current appearance. Significant changes in weight, hairstyle, or facial hair may require a new photo even within the 6-month window.