U.S. Passport Photo Requirements: Size, Rules, and Examples
Use this page as the practical rules hub for U.S. passport photos. It explains the required size, head position, background, and the next steps users usually need.
Based on current U.S. Department of State guidance. Keep this page aligned with the official rules whenever the source changes.
Quick Snapshot
Answer the exact question before asking users to keep reading.
Final photo size
2 x 2 inches
Background
White or off-white
Head height
1 inch to 1 3/8 inches
Photo age
Taken within the last 6 months
Last Reviewed
2026-03-18
Scope
Applies to general U.S. passport photo preparation, printing, and self-check workflow. Final submission decisions still depend on the current State Department rules.
Official Rule Priority
If this page and the current U.S. Department of State guidance ever conflict, follow the official source. Use this page to prepare and verify, not to override the source rule.
Official Sources
Keep compliance claims tied to public source pages, not guesswork.
Use the State Department page as the baseline source for size, background, glasses, lighting, and print-paper rules.
What the rules actually require
- The printed photo must be 2 x 2 inches.
- The background must be plain white or off-white with no distracting shadows.
- The face must be clearly visible, evenly lit, and not heavily edited.
- Printed photos must use photo-quality paper, usually matte or glossy.
Why photos get rejected
- Wrong outer size or incorrect head scale inside the frame.
- Uneven lighting, glare, or visible shadows behind the head.
- Busy background, poor crop, or low sharpness.
- Filters, face reshaping, or software edits that change facial appearance.
How this page fits the site
This page should be the authority hub for the U.S. rules cluster. It needs to route sizing intent into the 2x2 page and printing intent into the 4x6 page.
What to do next
- Use the 2x2 page if your main question is exact size and crop.
- Use the 4x6 page if your main question is cheap local printing.
- Go back to the creator when you are ready to upload and generate the file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smile in a U.S. passport photo?
Keep a neutral expression or a natural closed-mouth expression. The main goal is a clear, accurate image that matches official guidance.
Can I wear glasses?
In most cases, no. The State Department guidance says to remove eyeglasses for the passport photo unless there is a rare medical exception.
Can I print it myself?
Yes, if the final size, crop, paper quality, and image quality all follow the official rules. That is where the 2x2 and 4x6 support pages help.
Can software or AI change my face?
No. Practical crop and layout help is fine, but edits that alter facial appearance conflict with the official guidance.
Related Paths
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