US Passport Photo Requirements: Everything You Need to Know

Getting a new passport is time-consuming and sometimes difficult, The US passport takes six to eight weeks during the whole process. Nobody wants to make it take longer than necessary by submitting a photo that falls short of the state department's specifications. However, when we talk about the US passport requirements then people need their mouths closed and their eyes open.

So are you also going to fill US passport application and want to know the guidelines about attire and head posture that you must follow? When submitting a photo for your passport book or card, you should be aware of the appropriate image size, acceptable backgrounds, and other US passport photo requirements. So do you also want to know the US passport photo requirement? If yes then stay tuned with us.

In this blog, we will talk about the USCIS photo requirements which we cover, size and resolution for US passport photos, light, color, and many more.

Required Size and Resolution for US Passport

The most difficult aspect of submitting your passport photo is getting the US passport photo measurements correctly. What is a photo the size of a passport? The photo must be square two inches long and broad to be accepted by the U.S. Department of State. The distance between the bottom of your chin and the top of your skull must be between one and one-eighth of an inch. This is a nofilter area, and the picture should depict you without any editing. Additionally, selfies are banned since they frequently have the wrong head position and are the wrong size. The photo must be taken using a tripod or by someone else. Printed on high-quality paper, your passport photo should have good clarity and not be pixelated, grainy, or fuzzy.

After getting familiar with the required resolution and size of photo requirements for a passport, it's time to lighten up the color and light requirements for US passport photos.

Light and Color Requirements

The colored photograph is essential to submit by the US passport applicants to the Department of State. But always remember that the background of the photo should not be busy or dark. When we talk about the photo's background then requires a plain background or we can say it should be untextured. Applicants can attach a photo with white or off-white backgrounds with no shadows in the US passport application form. Additionally, also take a photo in appropriate light so that your skin tone will be visible accurately.

Only the Latest Photographs are Allowed

A US passport photo should be the latest. Rules of the US State Department say that the photograph of the candidate must be taken within six months of submitting it with your passport application. "We verify that the photo looks like you," reads the Department of State website, probably your photo looks like a photo given on your driver's license or another proof of identity.

How to Strike a Pose For Passport Photo

The passport or visa photo requirement also consists of the pose of the photograph. So when we talk about the pose for a passport photo then based on the rules of the State Department candidate should have a neutral facial expression. Alongside, it is also compulsory for the applicant to keep both eyes open and mouth closed. " No big cheesy grins, no silly faces, no pouts. Smiles are okay as long as your mouth is closed.

In your US passport photo requirement, it is necessary to face the camera directly and the photo should cover your full face in view. If you are getting a passport photo for a baby or young child, this is harder than it sounds. There is more leniency for baby passport photo requirements, according to the State Department.

What to Wear and Not to Wear for US Passport Photo

Fashion trends are not appropriate for passport photos. Additionally, the State Department requests that your picture be "taken in clothing normally worn daily." No uniforms, though, or uniform-like apparel. Moreover, no mask clothing. A hat or other head covering should not be allowed in your picture. According to the State Department, if you wear a hat or other head covering for religious or medical reasons, you must either produce a written Doctor's statement stating that "you wear it for medical purposes" or submit a signed statement stating that it is "religious attire worn daily in public." Your entire face needs to be on display, even with those signed statements.

Apart from this wearing headphones or earpieces in a passport photo is also not allowed. Wearing a piece of jewelry is allowed till it does not cover your face. If the jewelry covering your face then you should have to take it off.

In 2016, the Department of State modified its status on spectacles. Even if you are not using a flash camera, you must now take off your glasses to take the picture. Your passport is still valid until its expiration date if it was issued before 2016 and has a picture of you wearing spectacles. However, you will need to remove them while fulfilling the passport renewal photo requirements The State Department needs a written note from your doctor if you are unable to take off your glasses for the picture due to a medical need.

Reasons That Make Visament a Trusted Choice for Passport Services

After going through this blog you will get to learn about the US passport photo requirements. Above we mentioned everything related to passport photos. Including photo size, resolution, light, color, pose, and what to wear or not. So if you are applying for a US passport and facing any issues then we strongly recommend you hire Visament for passport and visa-related services.

Several reasons make Visament the greatest immigration service provider in India. Including speedy approval, inexpensive prices, mistake-free applications, 24*7 client support, and many more. So if you are looking for any services related to passport, visa, OCI, NRI, Aadhaar card, PAN cards, and more then must try to hire this company.