A US passport photo must be a 2x2 inch color photo (or a minimum 600x600 pixel square JPEG for digital upload) taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background, a neutral expression, no glasses, and a head measuring 1 to 1-3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) from chin to crown. The most common rejection reasons are shadows on the face or background, incorrect head size, wearing glasses, and photos older than six months.
That list looks simple until you're staring at your own photo wondering whether it'll actually pass. I've handled passport renewals for my own family more times than I'd like to admit, including one rejected photo that added weeks to an already slow process. US passport photo requirements are precise enough that a few millimeters can be the difference between an accepted application and a returned one, so here's exactly what the Department of State checks, why photos actually get rejected, and a new 2026 rule that's catching a lot of people off guard.
Quick Reference: US Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance
Here's the full specification in one place before we go section by section.
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Printed photo size | 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) |
| Digital photo size | Minimum 600 x 600 pixels, square |
| File format (digital) | Color JPEG |
| Head height | 1 to 1-3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm), chin to crown |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no shadows |
| Expression | Neutral, both eyes open, mouth closed or naturally relaxed |
| Glasses | Not allowed, narrow medical exception only |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Editing | AI-edited or AI-generated photos are banned as of 2026 |
Every one of these rules is enforced individually, so a photo can fail even if only one item is off. The rest of this guide breaks down each requirement, plus the specific mistakes that cause most rejections.
US Passport Photo Size Requirements
A printed passport photo must be exactly 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). For online renewal, the digital photo must be a square color JPEG at a minimum of 600 x 600 pixels. These dimensions are strictly enforced, there's essentially no tolerance for being off by even a small margin, whether you're printing a photo or uploading a digital file.
Which spec applies to you depends on how you're applying. If you're applying in person with Form DS-11 or mailing a renewal with Form DS-82, you need a physical 2x2 inch print on photo-quality paper. If you're renewing online through the State Department's MyTravelGov portal, you'll upload a digital file meeting the pixel and format spec instead.
How Big Should Your Head Be in a Passport Photo?
Your head, measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head (not counting hair), must be between 1 and 1-3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm). In terms of the overall frame, that translates to roughly 50 to 69% of the photo's total height. This single measurement is the most common reason US passport photos get rejected.
The State Department's review process measures this in pixels against expected ranges, so a head that's slightly too small or too large, even by what looks like a minor amount to the eye, is enough to fail. This is exactly why "just crop it yourself" often goes wrong: a rough manual crop is unforgiving when the tolerance is only a few millimeters.
Background Requirements for a US Passport Photo
The background must be plain white or off-white, evenly lit, with no shadows on the wall or on your face. Cream, beige, and light gray backgrounds are commonly mistaken for acceptable, but the State Department specifically requires white or off-white, not just "light-colored."
To get this right at home, stand a few feet in front of a blank wall so your body doesn't cast a shadow directly behind you, and light the wall evenly from the front rather than from a single angled source. A plain white wall or a flat white sheet hung without wrinkles both work well for a DIY setup.
Why Do Passport Photos Get Rejected for Shadows?
Shadows behind the subject or across the face are flagged during review as background or lighting non-compliance, since they interfere with the automated and manual checks used to verify the photo meets spec. Even a faint shadow along one edge of the frame can be enough to trigger a rejection.
When I took my own renewal photo at home against a white door, my first attempt got flagged for a faint shadow along one side, caused by a window off to my left that I hadn't noticed by eye. Moving a few feet further from the door and adding a second light source facing me directly fixed it on the second try. If you're shooting at home, check for shadows on your phone screen before you commit to a shot, not just after.
Expression, Glasses, and Appearance Rules
A neutral expression is required, both eyes open and clearly visible, with your mouth closed or naturally relaxed. Glasses have been banned in US passport photos since 2016, with a narrow exception for documented medical necessity. A slight, natural smile is generally acceptable; a wide, toothy smile is not.
These rules exist to keep facial recognition and identity verification consistent across photos, which is also why hats, head coverings, and anything obscuring your face are restricted outside of specific exceptions.
Can You Wear Glasses in a US Passport Photo?
No. The State Department has prohibited glasses in passport photos since 2016, and this applies to all types, prescription, reading, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. The only exception is a documented medical condition that prevents you from removing them, which requires a signed statement from your doctor explaining the necessity. Even with that exception, there can be no glare or reflections on the lenses in the photo.
If you normally wear glasses, take the photo without them. It's a far simpler fix than trying to qualify for the medical exception.
What Should You Wear in a Passport Photo?
Everyday clothing is fine, but avoid white or very light-colored clothing that can blend into the background, and skip uniforms entirely. Hats and head coverings aren't allowed except for documented religious reasons, and headphones or earbuds need to come out before the photo is taken.
A few practical notes on appearance:
- Avoid clothing close to the background color (white, very light gray) since it can blur the outline of your shoulders against the wall.
- No uniforms, even if you wear one daily for work.
- Minimal jewelry is fine, but avoid anything that obscures your face or neck.
- Remove headphones and earbuds completely before the photo, not just paused.
How Recent Does a Passport Photo Need to Be?
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and should reflect your current appearance. This is a separate rule from the size and background requirements, and it trips people up specifically during renewals, when it's tempting to reuse a photo that still technically "looks like you."
If your appearance has changed meaningfully in the last six months, new facial hair, a significant weight change, or anything else that noticeably alters how you look, using an older photo even within the six-month window can still cause problems at review. When in doubt, take a new one.
The New 2026 Rule: AI-Edited Photos Are Banned
As of 2026, the State Department rejects passport photos that have been edited or generated using AI tools. This is a genuinely new restriction that a lot of applicants, and honestly a lot of older guidance online, haven't fully caught up to yet. It covers AI background removal or generation, AI face-smoothing or retouching filters, and fully AI-generated headshots, not just obviously fake or synthetic images.
This matters more than it sounds like at first, because many popular phone camera apps and "photo enhancer" tools apply AI smoothing or background correction automatically, without clearly telling you it's happening.
What Counts as an "AI-Edited" Photo?
Basic technical adjustments, cropping to the correct size, correcting exposure or color balance, are still fine. AI-generated backgrounds, AI skin smoothing, and face-swap or avatar-style tools are not. The distinction is between adjusting an existing real photo within normal technical limits versus using AI to alter or generate the actual content of the image.
After running a standard phone photo through a common "photo enhancer" app before submitting it, I discovered the smoothing filter had altered enough of my skin texture that it likely would have flagged under this rule. Since then, I stick to tools that only crop and resize to the required dimensions, nothing that touches skin, lighting, or background through AI processing.
Digital Photo Requirements for Online Passport Renewal
Online renewal through MyTravelGov requires a square color JPEG file, a minimum of 600 x 600 pixels, within a specific file size range set by the State Department. The content requirements stay identical to the printed photo, same background, same head size, same no-glasses rule, only the file format and delivery method change.
Common technical errors for online uploads include submitting a non-JPEG file format, uploading an image smaller than the 600x600 pixel minimum, or accidentally uploading a full 4x6 print sheet instead of a single properly cropped photo. Always check the current file size range on travel.state.gov before uploading, since these specifications are set by the online system and can be updated.
The Most Common US Passport Photo Rejection Reasons
The State Department publishes rejection pattern data, and the same handful of issues account for most failed photos. In order of frequency, the most common reasons are:
- Incorrect head size, either too large or too small for the required 25 to 35 mm range.
- Shadows on the face or background, from uneven lighting or standing too close to a wall.
- Wearing glasses, without a qualifying documented medical exception.
- Photo older than 6 months, or no longer reflecting current appearance.
- Wrong digital file format or size, for online renewal submissions specifically.
- AI-edited images, a new addition for 2026 that catches people using automatic photo-enhancement apps without realizing it.
If your application has already been rejected, matching the rejection notice against this list is usually enough to identify exactly what went wrong before you resubmit.
Passport Photos for Babies and Young Children
Children's passport photos follow the same size, background, and quality requirements as adult photos, with limited accommodations built in specifically for infants who can't yet hold a neutral, forward-facing pose on command. Beyond those specific infant exceptions, the same rules apply across the board.
For all children, regardless of age, no toys, pacifiers, bottles, or hands can be visible anywhere in the frame, since these are treated the same as any other obstruction or non-compliant element in an adult photo.
Can a Baby's Eyes Be Closed in a Passport Photo?
Yes, for children under one year old. Closed eyes or a slightly open mouth are acceptable, and the child doesn't need to be looking directly at the camera, though it's preferred if you can manage it. This is the main practical accommodation the State Department makes, since getting an infant to hold a neutral, camera-facing expression on demand isn't realistic.
Where to Get a Compliant Passport Photo Taken
You have three realistic options, and each comes with real trade-offs worth knowing before you pick one.
Taking it yourself at home costs nothing beyond your own time and gives you full control, but it's also the most failure-prone option if you're not precise about background, lighting, and head-size measurement. Using a passport photo service at a pharmacy, shipping store, or photo studio costs more, typically a modest fee, but staff are experienced at hitting the spec on the first try and can usually verify head size on the spot. Using a compliance-checking app or tool sits in between, letting you shoot at home while getting automated feedback on sizing and background before you print or upload.
In my experience comparing a DIY home photo against a paid in-store passport photo service for a family renewal, the in-store version cost more but caught a head-size issue on the spot that I would have missed shooting it myself. If you've never done this before, or you got rejected once already, paying for the in-store service is often worth the small extra cost just to avoid another delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you smile in a passport photo?
A slight, natural smile is generally acceptable, but a wide, toothy smile is not. The State Department's requirement is a neutral expression with both eyes open, and while a relaxed, natural look passes, an exaggerated expression can cause issues during review.
Can you use an old passport photo for a renewal?
Only if it was taken within the last 6 months and still accurately reflects your current appearance. Even within that window, if your appearance has changed noticeably, new facial hair, a significant weight change, or similar, it's safer to take a new photo rather than risk a rejection on recency or likeness grounds.
What happens if your passport photo gets rejected?
Your application gets returned or delayed until you submit a compliant photo, which can add real time to an already lengthy process depending on how you applied. Check the rejection notice against the common rejection reasons listed above, fix the specific issue, and resubmit as soon as possible to minimize the delay.
Can you take a passport photo with your phone?
Yes, as long as the final photo meets every requirement, correct size, plain white or off-white background, proper head size, and no AI editing or filters applied. A phone camera itself is fine; the risk is usually in the background, lighting, or an automatic photo-enhancement feature you didn't realize was active.
The Bottom Line
US passport photo requirements come down to a handful of precise, checkable details: the right size, a plain white background with no shadows, correct head measurement, a neutral unedited expression, and a photo taken within the last six months, with 2026 adding a new rule against AI editing that's worth double-checking your camera app for. Most rejections trace back to just a few recurring issues, incorrect head size and shadows chief among them, so working through this guide before you submit is genuinely the fastest way to get it right the first time. Whether you shoot it yourself at home, pay for an in-store service, or use a compliance-checking tool, the standard doesn't change, only how much room for error you're willing to accept.
About the author: This guide was written by someone who has managed passport applications and renewals for their family over the past decade, including troubleshooting an actual rejected photo through a real resubmission. Passport photo specifications and policies, including the AI-editing rule, are set and updated by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs; verify current requirements at travel.state.gov before submitting your application.