US Passport Photo Requirements – Things You Need to Know

If you need to apply for a new passport or want to renew your passport, the submission of your photo is a critical part. U.S. passport photos have different types of requirements, and you have to meet all those requirements to get approval for your passport application. Many factors can affect a perfect passport photo, such as the lighting, background color, clothes, size, and many more. Incorrectly formatted photos can cause delays in the processing time, which can turn into a big hassle if you are planning a trip.

We already know that getting a new passport is a time-consuming procedure; you have to follow many steps, and no one wants to delay this process further by providing the wrong passport photo. There are many parameters to consider, such as keeping your eyes open and your mouth closed. In this blog, we will discuss the key parameters that can help you take a perfect passport photo. We have also discussed ways to take your photograph or use a digital tool to make it easier. 

Size and Resolution for Your U.S. Passport Photo

The hardest part of getting the US passport photo right is to make sure the size, its dimensions, and resolution are correct and according to the US Passport Photo Requirements. The U.S. Department of State says that your photo should be 2 inches long and 2 inches wide, which makes it a square photo. Your face in the photo should take up between one inch and an inch and three-eighths from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. You can also use the online photo tool provided by the state department to check whether the size of your passport photo is correct ot not. 

There should be no filters used in the photograph, and your face should be visible clearly without doing any retouching or editing. The selfie pictures are not allowed because they are mostly the wrong size and contain the wrong head position. If you want to take your photo, then use a tripod or let someone else click it for you. The picture should be of high resolution and printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. Blurry, grainy, and pixelated pictures are not accepted. The printed photo should be in good condition with no creases, smudges, or holes.

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Color and Light Requirements for U.S. Passport Photo

The passport photo requirements include the use of perfect lighting and a neutral-colored background. The State Department wants you to be in color, which means you can wear colorful clothes, but your background should be subtle. The photos must have a untextured white or off-white background, and there should be no shadows. The lighting should be great so that your skin tone is correctly represented in the photograph. Make sure that you meet these requirements while getting your passport-size photo taken. 

What to Wear in a US Passport Photo?

The rules of the state department say that you need to dress up normally as you do in your daily life. There should not be very many blingy or fashionable clothes. The uniforms, camouflage attire, or clothing that look like uniforms are not allowed. You can wear the jewelry and have piercings, but they should not cover your face. If you have any earphones or headphones on, then you need to take them off. You are not allowed to wear any hat or scarf in the photo. Suppose you wear any due to religious or medical reasons. In that case, you need to submit a signed statement that "this is a religious attire worn publicly in daily life" or provide a statement signed by a doctor. Even after submitting the statements, your face should be fully visible. If you have a mask on, then take it off during the photo session.

Before 2016, glasses were allowed in the US passport photo, but after that, the State Department changed the rules. Now, any glasses, sunglasses, tinted glasses, etc., are not allowed in passport photos. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from removing your glasses, you must submit a doctor's signed document with your application. If you have a passport from 2016 or older with a photo with glasses, then it is valid until the expiration date.

How to Pose for a US Passport Photo?

Posing can be a critical part of taking the passport photos. According to the rules of the state department, you should have a neutral face with no expressions while posing for the passport photo. Your eyes should be open, your mouth should be closed, and your full face should be visible. There should be no big, cheesy smiles, no pouts, and no silly faces. The picture should have your full face view, and you should face the camera directly with no head tilting.

If we talk about the kids and the baby passport photos, then there is some leniency. It is much harder to take a perfect passport photo for the kids. So the rules say that toddlers and babies are allowed to be posed on white or off-white sheets. The sheets should be either laid flat on a surface or draped over a car seat. The toddlers and younger kids need to keep their eyes open, but this is not a necessary criterion for the babies. 

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How Old Photo Can I Take for a U.S. Passport?

The passport photo rules state that the photo should be taken within six months of your passport application submission. If the photo is older than that or if it does not match your face completely, then it could be unacceptable. The state department advises comparing this photograph to the one in your other documents, such as your driver's license. If it does not match with them, then take another picture. Use recent photos in the application to avoid any future delays. 

If, in any case, your physical appearance has changed due to factors like facial surgery, weight loss, etc., then you need to update your passport and change the passport photo. For minor changes like dyeing of your hair or growing a mustache, a new passport or passport photo is not necessary. As long as you are being identified by looking at your passport photo, it is acceptable. 

Where to Get Your U.S. Passport Photo Taken?

Many companies offer passport services from which you can get your photo taken; find them on the State Department Website. Companies like Walgreens, FedEx, CVS, UPS store, etc., provide passport photo services and have stores at different locations nationwide. U.S. post offices are also a good option to get your pictures taken. You can also take your photo by yourself at home using a high-resolution camera or smartphone. Make sure that you follow all the guidelines and rules while taking the photo. Selfies are not allowed, so if you need to, you can ask someone to take your photo or just use a tripod. 

If you are applying for a passport or its renewal, then you have to upload the photo digitally from your computer or phone. The photo requirements for the digital photo are the same, and it should be in JPEG format, minimum 54kb, maximum 10mb in size, and have large dimensions (at least 600x600 pixels). You should avoid taking a picture of your printed photo or scanning it. Also, avoid uploading compressed photos or photos with wrong exposure. 

Visament's Online Photo tool 

Above are all the measures that you should take for the passport photos. We have mentioned all the reasons for getting the passport application rejected. You can follow all the steps to avoid any hassle and get the perfect passport photo. You can also use VIsament's photo maker tool, which makes your pjoto 100% passport-approved. We also have a team of experts to provide the best passport and visa services. Visit the website online and get everything done from your home. To ensure your passport application is approved on the first go, make sure to meet all the above requirements. Alternatively, you can visit Visament for all your passport solutions.