United States Passport Photo

United States passport photo requirements

The 2×2 inch size is used for the US passport, visa, Green Card and DV lottery.

What's different about a United States photo

The United States is one of the few countries that has never adopted the 35×45 mm international standard. A US passport photo is square — 2 × 2 inches, or 51 × 51 mm — and the same square photo is used for the passport, most visa applications, the Green Card (Form I-485), and the Diversity Visa lottery. If you have photos left over from a European application, they are the wrong shape and will be rejected.

The head is also sized differently. Rather than the 70–80% frame fill common in Europe, the State Department measures from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head and wants that distance between 1 and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm), with your eyes sitting 1⅛ to 1⅜ inches above the bottom edge. In practice that leaves noticeably more space around the head than a UK or Schengen photo.

United States photo rules in detail

Glasses

Not permitted. Glasses have been banned in US passport photos since 1 November 2016 — the only exception is a documented medical reason, which requires a signed statement from a doctor. Take them off; do not rely on the removal being noticed later.

Expression

Neutral, or a natural unforced smile. Both eyes open and visible, mouth closed or barely open. Exaggerated expressions are refused.

Headwear

Not permitted except for religious or medical reasons, and then only with a signed statement — and your full face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead must still be visible.

Clothing

Everyday clothing. Uniforms, camouflage-pattern clothing and anything resembling a uniform are refused. White tops are risky against the required white background — pick a darker colour.

Digital uploads

If you apply or renew online the file must be square, between 600×600 and 1200×1200 pixels, in JPEG, and under 10 MB. A 2×2 inch export at 300 DPI is 600×600, so it meets the minimum exactly.

Photos must have been taken within the last 6 months. The authority for these rules is the U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs — check there before you apply, since requirements do change.

Babies and children

Infants and small children get real latitude. A baby may be photographed lying on a plain white sheet or in a car seat covered with a white blanket, and for newborns the eyes do not have to be open. What is not allowed is anyone else appearing in the frame — no supporting hands, no arms, no chair back. Children over about one year are held to the same standards as adults.

How the United States application works

Most first-time applicants apply in person at a passport acceptance facility (many post offices and libraries) using Form DS-11, and bring one printed 2×2 photo with them. Renewals by mail on Form DS-82 also need one printed photo.

The State Department has been rolling out online renewal, which takes a digital upload instead of a print. The uploaded file is checked automatically for head size, background and sharpness, and a photo that fails is bounced immediately — which is a faster way to find out you have a problem than waiting for a mailed rejection.

Why United States photos get rejected

• Wearing glasses — still the single most common cause of rejection since the 2016 ban.
• Shadows on the face or cast onto the background behind the head.
• A photo taken with a phone at arm's length, which distorts the nose and cheeks.
• Head too large in the frame — European-style framing applied to a US photo.
• Visible filters, beauty smoothing or any digital alteration of your features.

How to make your United States photo

1. 1. Upload a portrait

   A clear, front-facing photo with even lighting. The background is removed automatically.

2. 2. Fit the guides

   The 51×51 mm frame is pre-selected — line your head up with the crown and chin guides.

3. 3. Download or print

   Export the exact size at 300 DPI, or a 6×4 inch sheet of copies for any photo kiosk.

Frequently asked questions

Passport photo sizes for other countries