US Passport Photo Requirements 2026
Size, background, glasses, and the AI rule — straight from the U.S. Department of State, without the regulatory language.
A US passport photo is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), on a plain white or off-white background with no shadows. Your head must measure between 1 and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown. No glasses, no head covering (except religious or medical), and — as of 2026 — no AI retouching or digital alteration of your face. The photo must be taken within the last 6 months.
The rules at a glance
| Print size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Head height | 1 – 1⅜ inches (25 – 35 mm), chin to crown |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no shadows or texture |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral or closed-mouth smile, both eyes open |
| Glasses | Not allowed (medical exception requires a doctor’s note) |
| Head coverings | Not allowed, except daily religious or documented medical use |
| Editing | No filters, no digital changes, no AI retouching |
| Digital file (online renewal) | JPG/JPEG/HEIF · 600×600 – 1200×1200 px · 54 KB – 10 MB |
| Print paper | Matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
Why photos get rejected
The Department of State says outright that bad photos are the number one reason passport applications get put on hold. An application is rarely denied outright for a photo problem — instead, an officer flags it, mails you a Photo Quality Letter, and your file sits in suspense. A correction typically adds two to four weeks to a process that already takes four to six.
The US rules are stricter than most countries: a square 2 × 2 inch format that almost no other country uses, a head that must fill a precise percentage of the frame, and a background with zero shadows.
Size and head position
The printed photo is 2 × 2 inches. Your head, measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head, must be between 1 and 1⅜ inches. Center your head and shoulders and stand a few feet back from the camera — being too close or too far is the most common framing mistake. Your hair may extend past the edges of the photo as long as your whole head is shown at the right size.
Background and lighting
Plain white or off-white, uniform, with no shadows, texture, lines, or objects. A white wall or a door works. Stand a short distance away from it so you don’t cast a shadow, and avoid overhead lighting that puts shadows across your face.
The AI rule (this is the one people get wrong)
Submit the original, unedited photo. The State Department rejects any photo that shows signs of computer software, phone filters, or AI alteration — and in 2026 that is checked before a human reviewer even sees your file.
There is an important distinction here. Changing the frame — cropping to 2 × 2 inches, setting the head to the regulation size, or replacing a busy background with plain white — is a formatting change. Changing your face — smoothing skin, reshaping features, applying a filter — is not allowed, and it is the single most common way a home-edited photo gets rejected.
Pixelo only ever changes the frame. We set the official head size, replace a non-compliant background with plain white, and check the result against every rule on this page. We never retouch your face.
Check your photo free →Babies and young children
The same rules apply. The practical difference is getting a plain background and even lighting: lay your baby on a white sheet, or hold them in front of a plain wall. A pacifier, a hand, or a parent’s shoulder must not appear in the frame, and the child’s eyes should be open if possible.
Common questions
What size is a US passport photo?
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). Your head must measure between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head.
Can I smile in my passport photo?
Yes, as long as your mouth is closed and both eyes are open and visible. A neutral expression is the safest choice.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
No. Since November 2016 the Department of State does not allow glasses in passport photos. The only exception is a documented medical reason, which requires a signed doctor’s note with your application.
Can I take my own passport photo at home?
Yes. The Department of State accepts self-taken photos as long as they meet every rule: correct size and head height, plain white or off-white background with no shadows, taken within the last 6 months, and completely unedited.
Can I use an AI tool to fix my passport photo?
You can use a tool to crop to the right size and replace a non-compliant background with plain white — those change the frame, not your face. But any AI retouching, filtering, or alteration of your actual facial features is grounds for automatic rejection.
How recent does my passport photo need to be?
Taken within the last 6 months, to reflect your current appearance.
What background is required?
Plain white or off-white, uniform, with no shadows, texture, lines, or objects. A plain wall works — stand a short distance away from it so you don’t cast a shadow.
What are the digital photo requirements for renewing online?
JPG, JPEG, or HEIF; between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels; between 54 KB and 10 MB in file size.
Upload any photo. We check it against every rule above, crop it to 2 × 2 inches at the right head size, and put it on a plain white background — then you get a 4×6 print sheet. If an authority rejects it for a reason caused by our output, you get a full refund.
Try the compliance check →Based on U.S. Department of State published rules. Rules can change — always verify against travel.state.gov before you submit.