U.S. Passport Photo Requirements 2026: Complete Guide
A single non-compliant passport photo causes same-day rejection. Here are the exact technical requirements, common mistakes, where to get a compliant photo near you, and what to do if photos are taken on-site at your acceptance facility.
Last updated: 2026 · 7 min read
The Complete Technical Specifications
- Size: Exactly 2 inches × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm)
- Head size: Head must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top of head
- Background: Plain white or off-white only. No patterns, gradients, shadows, or other colors.
- Expression: Neutral expression. Mouth closed. Both eyes open and directed at camera.
- Glasses: Not permitted since 2016. Remove all glasses for your passport photo.
- Head coverings: Not permitted except for religious or medical reasons. Must not obscure any facial features.
- Recency: Taken within the last 6 months.
- Print quality: Printed on photo paper — not plain paper. No ink jet printing on plain stock.
- Color: Color photo only. Black and white photos are not accepted.
- Focus: In focus, properly exposed. No shadows on the face or background.
- Attire: Regular street clothing. No uniforms (except religious attire). No camouflage.
- Headphones / earpieces: Not permitted.
Where to Get a Compliant Passport Photo
| Location | Typical Cost | What You Get | Walk-In Available? |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Post Office (on-site at acceptance facility) | $15–$18 | 2 prints; taken by passport specialist | Yes, if passport specialist on duty |
| CVS Pharmacy | $16.99 | 2 prints; taken at photo counter | Yes, most locations |
| Walgreens | $16.99 | 2 prints; taken at photo counter | Yes, most locations |
| Walmart Photo Center | $7.44 | 2 prints | Yes, most locations |
| AAA (members only) | Free for members | 2 prints | Yes at AAA travel offices |
| FedEx Office | $14.99 | 2 prints | Yes |
| UPS Store | $11.99 | 2 prints | Yes |
| DIY (home printer) | Variable | Must be photo paper, correct size | N/A — done at home |
Best value: Walmart Photo Center at $7.44 if you have one nearby. Best for convenience: CVS or Walgreens, which are ubiquitous and fast. Best if applying at USPS: Get the photo there — the passport specialist knows the requirements and can retake if needed.
Most Common Passport Photo Rejection Reasons
The State Department's automated biometric photo review catches many issues. Acceptance agents catch others manually. The most common reasons photos are rejected at the facility:
- Glasses still on — even very thin glasses, even prescription glasses. Removed since the 2016 rule change.
- Shadows on face or background — often caused by poor lighting at home or poorly positioned flash
- Photo more than 6 months old — "it still looks like me" is not a valid argument; the rule is 6 months
- Background is gray, cream, or patterned — must be pure white or off-white
- Head too large or too small — the head size range (1"–1 3/8" from chin to crown) is strictly enforced
- Eyes not fully open — common in nervous or tired applicants; retake if needed
- Printed on plain copy paper — must be photographic paper
- Red-eye — red-eye reduces the accuracy of facial recognition and may cause rejection
Passport Photos for Infants and Young Children
Getting a compliant photo of a baby is the most challenging part of a child passport application. The State Department provides special guidance for infants:
- Lay the baby on a white sheet or blanket for the photo — an overhead angle is acceptable
- A parent's hand may be visible supporting the baby's head, as long as it doesn't cover the face
- The baby's eyes must be open — this is the hardest part. Try during an alert feeding break.
- Natural window light works better than flash for infant photos
- Several USPS locations have adjustable infant photo setups — call ahead to ask
Can You Take Your Own Passport Photo at Home?
Yes, but only if you can meet all the technical requirements. Key challenges for DIY photos:
- Printing must be on photographic paper at exactly 2×2 inches — not plain copy paper from a home printer
- Getting the head size precisely within the 1"–1 3/8" range requires careful cropping
- Achieving a pure white background requires a white backdrop or sheet in good lighting
- Avoiding shadows — position lights so the background is evenly lit
If you take your own photo, use the State Department's free photo tool at travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/photos.html to check compliance before printing. The tool checks the head size, background, and other factors automatically.
Do You Need to Bring Photos or Can You Get Them On-Site?
Many USPS acceptance facilities offer passport photos on-site for $15–$18. Check whether your specific location offers photos using our County Finder — the photo service column shows which facilities take photos.
County clerk offices less frequently offer photo services — typically only about 30% of county clerks take passport photos on-site. Bringing your own photo to a county clerk appointment is the safer approach.
Find a Facility With On-Site Photo Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The State Department permits head coverings worn daily for religious reasons, provided they do not obscure any part of your face — including forehead, cheeks, and chin. If your headscarf creates shadows on your face, it may cause rejection despite being religiously motivated. Have your photo taken with good even lighting to avoid shadow issues.
Yes. The no-glasses rule has no medical exception. You must remove glasses for the photo itself. If you have contact lenses as an alternative, you can wear them for the photo. You do not need to wear glasses during the actual acceptance facility appointment — just the photo.
Not always. At USPS locations that offer on-site photos, the agent may take a new photo for you on the spot (at the additional photo fee). At locations without photo service, you may be asked to reschedule if you don't have a compliant photo. To avoid this, bring a backup set of photos from a second source — for example, get photos at both Walgreens and CVS and bring both sets. That way if one set has an issue, you have a backup.