US Passport Photo Requirements – A Detailed Guideline
Last Updated on Nov 19th, 2025 by Heena Ganotra, Leave a Comment
Getting or renewing a passport? Knowing about passport picture requirements is a must. Right from piercings to posings, the US State Department has given strict guidelines for passport photos. The same have been explained below –
3 Important US Passport Photo Requirements
1. Basic Print Requirements
- Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
- Resolution: 300 Dpi (High Resolution – shouldn’t be blurry/pixelated/or grainy)
- Background: Plain background. White/Off White.
- Head Height (Top of the head to the bottom of the chin): 1-1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm)
- Paper Quality: Matte or glossy photo quality paper
- Color: Colored. Should neither be overexposed nor underexposed. No filters to be used.
Acceptable — The picture is of the correct size.
Photo tip: Photo should be 2 x 2 (51 x 51 mm) with the head centered.
Unacceptable — The picture is not of the correct size.
Photo tip: Photo should be 2 x 2 (51 x 51 mm) with the head centered.
Unacceptable — The picture is longitudinal in size i.e. its length is more than its width. It should’ve been a square.
Photo tip: Photo should be 2 x 2 (51 x 51 mm) with the head centered.
Unacceptable — The picture is latitudinal in size i.e. its width is more than its length. It should be equal in dimensions.
Photo tip: Photo should be 2 x 2 (51 x 51 mm) with the head centered.
Acceptable — The picture is clear and sharp. It neither has printer dots nor is it pixelated.
Photo tip: The picture shouldn’t be blurry, pixelated, or grainy.
Unacceptable — The picture is grainy.
Photo tip: The picture shouldn’t be blurry, pixelated, or grainy. It should be sharp and clear.
Unacceptable — The picture is blurry.
Photo tip: The picture should be sharp and clear. It shouldn’t be blurry, pixelated, or grainy.
Unacceptable — The picture quality is extremely poor in quality. It’s immensely pixelated.
Photo tip: The picture should be sharp and clear. It shouldn’t be blurry, pixelated, or grainy.
Acceptable — The picture has a plain background.
Photo tip: The picture should either have a white or an off-white background.
Unacceptable — The picture has a red background which is against the requirements set by the US State Department.
Photo tip: The picture should either have a white or an off-white background.
Unacceptable — The picture has a bluish background and the camera is too close to the subject.
Photo tip: The picture should either have a white or an off-white background and the camera should at least be 4 feet away from the subject.
Acceptable — The picture has a plain background.
Photo tip: The picture should either have a white or an off-white background.
Acceptable — Head size is between 1” and 1.4” (25 and 35 mm).
Photo tip: None.
Unacceptable — Head size is too small in the photo.
Photo tip: Head size should be between 1” and 1.4” (25 and 35 mm).
Unacceptable — Head size is too big in the photo.
Photo tip: Head size should be between 1” and 1.4” (25 and 35 mm).
Unacceptable — Full head not in the photo.
Photo tip: An individual’s entire head must be in the photo. The hair may extend past the passport photo dimensions but the head must be between 1” and 1.4” (25 and 35 mm).
Acceptable — The picture paper quality is matte.
Photo tip: The passport photo paper should either be matte or glossy.
Acceptable — The picture paper quality is glossy.
Photo tip: The passport photo paper should either be matte or glossy.
Unacceptable — The picture paper quality is creased.
Photo tip: The passport photo paper should either be matte or glossy.
Unacceptable — The picture paper quality is thick.
Photo tip: The passport photo paper should either be matte or glossy and shouldn’t be too thin or too thick.
Acceptable — The picture is colored and is neither overexposed nor underexposed.
Photo tip: None.
Unacceptable — Filtered pictures aren’t acceptable.
Photo tip: The picture should have absolutely no filters, either from Snapchat, Instagram, or otherwise.
Unacceptable — Black and white pictures aren’t acceptable.
Photo tip: The picture should be colored and the head height should be between 1” and 1.4” (25 and 35 mm).
Unacceptable — The picture is overexposed and the camera is a little too close to the subject.
Photo tip: The picture should be colored but it should neither be overexposed nor underexposed.
2. Pose Requirements
Note – This section covers baby passport photo requirements as well.
- Face Expression: Neutral/Natural Smile with both eyes open. Mouth closed.
- Posture: Your shoulders should be square with the base. It should be straight ahead.
- Face Direction: Face the camera directly so the full face is in view. No selfies.
- Lighting: No shadows either on the face or the background. Even lighting on both sides of the face.
- Children: The child shouldn’t be held by anyone from behind. The background should be plain so to say. The eyes should be open and since infants tend to make different faces, make sure they face the camera.
Acceptable — The applicant is facing the camera directly and the full-face is in view.
Photo tip: None.
Unacceptable — The applicant isn’t facing the camera directly.
Photo tip: Face the camera directly so the full face is in view.
Unacceptable — Selfies aren’t allowed.
Photo tip: While you can take one, you must upload it on a site that has in-built cropping tools to have a plain background and no hand extended arm.
Unacceptable — The applicant’s full face isn’t in view.
Photo tip: You must face the camera directly so the full face is in view.
Acceptable — The picture has a neutral expression with both eyes open.
Photo tip: While the eyes must be open, the mouth should be closed. A natural smile is good to go too.
Acceptable — The picture has a natural smile with both eyes open.
Photo tip: The mouth should remain closed. One can also keep a neutral expression.
Unacceptable — The subject’s eyes are closed
Photo tip: While the eyes must be open, the mouth should be closed. Natural smiles or neutral expressions are good to go.
Unacceptable — The applicant has an open mouth.
Photo tip: Mouth should be closed. Even though a natural smile is okay but a laugh isn’t. One can also keep a neutral expression.
Acceptable — The shoulders are square with the base. The applicant is looking straight ahead.
Photo tip: None.
Unacceptable — The applicant is not looking straight ahead. He is facing upwards. The posture, therefore, isn’t right.
Photo tip: The applicant must look straight ahead.
Unacceptable — The applicant’s face is tilted. The posture, therefore, isn’t right.
Photo tip: The applicant must look straight ahead.
Unacceptable — The applicant’s posture isn’t right.
Photo tip: The shoulders should be square with the base. The applicant must look straight ahead.
Acceptable — The picture has no shadow and the lighting is even.
Photo tip: None.
Unacceptable — There’s a shadow in the background.
Photo tip: There should be no shadows either on the face or the background. There should be even lighting on both sides of the face.
Unacceptable — There’s a shadow on the child’s face.
Photo tip: There should be no shadows either on the face or the background of the applicant. There should be even lighting on both sides of the face.
Unacceptable — The lighting in the picture is extremely poor.
Photo tip: There should be even lighting on both sides of the face.
Acceptable — The eyes are open. The baby is facing directly towards the camera
Photo tip: None.
Unacceptable — The full face of the child isn’t visible. An object is obstructing the baby’s face.
Photo tip: The child’s full face must be visible.
Unacceptable — The background isn’t plain. Somebody’s holding the baby.
Photo tip: The background should be plain. Consider placing the child in a car seat with a white or off-white blanket behind the child.
Unacceptable — The baby isn’t looking into the camera.
Photo tip: The baby should face the camera directly.
Acceptable — The picture hasn’t been digitally altered.
Photo tip: None.
Unacceptable — The picture has been digitally overexposed.
Photo tip: The picture shouldn’t be digitally altered to make it look brighter.
Unacceptable — The picture has been cropped using a retouching tool. The head is especially altered and outlined.
Photo tip: The background shouldn’t be cropped, instead you must take your picture in front of a white/off-white background.
Unacceptable — The picture has been digitally altered to make it look thinner.
Photo tip: The shape of your face/picture shouldn’t be altered.
3. Attire Requirements
- Glasses: No glasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses unless for medical reasons in which case a signed note from the doctor is needed. No red-eye photos.
- Clothes: Casual daily wear. No uniforms or clothing that looks like a uniform. No camouflage attire is allowed.
- Head Coverings: No hats, caps, or head coverings unless for religious/medical purposes in which case a signed statement from people/doctor is needed that verifies the same. The head covering mustn’t hide the face.
- Hair: Open hair is okay till it doesn’t block the hairline or cast shadows on your face.
- Face Piercings/Other Accessories: Unless the jewelry/piercings hide or obstruct your face, they are good to go. No earphones, headphones, or wireless hands-free device.
- Tattoos: Permanent tattoos are okay for passport photos.
Acceptable — The picture neither has glasses nor red-eye.
Photo tip: None
Unacceptable — Glasses, in general, aren’t allowed.
Photo tip: Even if you wear glasses every day, you must remove the same before getting a picture clicked.
Unacceptable — Red-eye pictures aren’t allowed.
Photo tip: In case of red-eye, you must take the picture again and not digitally alter it to remove the same.
Unacceptable — Sunglasses are not allowed
Photo tip: You must remove your glasses before taking a picture.
Acceptable — The applicant is wearing casual clothes.
Photo tip: None
Acceptable — The applicant is wearing casual clothes.
Photo tip: None
Unacceptable — The applicant is wearing a uniform.
Photo tip: Uniforms or clothing that looks like a uniform aren’t allowed.
Unacceptable — The applicant is wearing camouflage attire
Photo tip: No camouflage attire allowed.
Acceptable — Head coverings for religious purposes is allowed.
Photo tip: None
Unacceptable — The head covering is hiding the hairline.
Photo tip: The head covering mustn’t hide the face or the headline.
Acceptable — Head coverings for religious purposes is allowed.
Photo tip: None
Unacceptable — Hats are not allowed.
Photo tip: You may not wear a hat or head covering, except for religious or medical purposes and with a signed statement.
Acceptable — Hair is tucked neatly behind the ears.
Photo tip: None
Unacceptable — Hair is obstructing some part of the face.
Photo tip: Adjust your hair so the entire face is visible.
Unacceptable — Hair is obstructing some part of the face.
Photo tip: Adjust your hair so the entire face is visible. Open hair is okay till it doesn’t block the hairline.
Unacceptable — Hair is casting a shadow on the applicant’s face.
Photo tip: Adjust your hair so the entire face is visible. Open hair is okay till it doesn’t block the hairline or cast shadows on your face.
Acceptable — The jewelry worn by the applicant isn’t obstructing the face.
Photo tip: Unless the jewelry/piercings hide or obstruct your face, they are good to go.
Unacceptable — An object is obstructing a part of the baby’s face.
Photo tip: Full face of the child must be visible.
Unacceptable — The applicant is wearing earphones.
Photo tip: No earphones, headphones, or wireless hands-free devices are allowed.
Unacceptable — The applicant is wearing a scarf which isn’t allowed.
Photo tip: Remove the scarf and then get clicked.
Acceptable — Permanent tattoos are okay for passport photos unless they obstruct the face.
Photo tip: None
Unacceptable — Too many tattoos and piercings that obstruct the face.
Photo tip: Go for a tattoo removal treatment.
Unacceptable — Too many tattoos and piercings that obstruct the face.
Photo tip: Go for a tattoo removal treatment.
Unacceptable — The tattoo is pretty decent and doesn’t obstruct the face.
Photo tip: Permanent tattoos are okay for passport photos unless they obstruct the face.
Are Passport Photo Requirements the Same As That Of A VISA?
While the rules for passport photos are set by the country you reside in, the rules for VISA photos are set by the country you visit. For example, if you are a US resident and are booking flights to India, the photo dimensions for both are exactly the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I smile in my passport photo?
Q: Can I digitally alter my passport photo for a red-eye or plain background?
Q: Will passport photos with closed eyes be acceptable?
Q: Do I need a new passport photo if I have grown a beard or dyed my hair?
Q: Do I need to apply for a new passport if I am undergoing aging?
Well, that’s all about the passport photo requirements – USA.
The next step is to look for the best places to get passport photos near me. We have you sorted here as well.
And once your passport and visa requirements are in sync, MyTicketsToIndia can help you book the cheapest tickets to India from USA. With 13+ years of experience and 4.8 Trustscore, booking flights will be a breeze with us indeed. Expect 100% transparency and no hidden charges along with easy cancellations and swift refunds.
About Heena Ganotra | View Posts
A writer by both passion and profession, Heena Ganotra is "half agony, half hope" but all heart. And oh, she has been a book lover from the start! Her love for books is what convinced her to make a career in the wonderful world of words. She loves what she does and is out-and-out a satisfied soul with a wish to spread happiness like herpes. Insight- Some say she is living the best life anyone could because she reads, writes, travels, and makes merry. They’re right because what else does one really need! :)
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