US Passport Photo Requirements (2026): 2×2 Rules
Last updated: September 1, 2026
Photo specifications
| Size | 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), square, not a rectangular drugstore strip unless cropped correctly |
|---|---|
| Head height | 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of hair |
| Background | Plain white or off-white; no shadows behind your head |
| Recency | Taken within the last six months |
| Color & focus | Color photo with your full face in focus, facing the camera directly |
| Glasses | Not allowed, even with a prescription |
| Digital uploads | Online renewals follow the same proportions as printed photos |
What will get a photo rejected
- Hats and head coverings unless worn daily for religious reasons. Full face must show
- Uniforms or clothing that obscures your face
- Selfies against a bathroom door or shadows on the background wall
- Wallet-size photo strip instead of a cropped 2×2
- Crop that cuts off ears or leaves too much empty space
- Infants held in frame with a parent visible. See newborn passport notes
- Exaggerated expressions or heavy phone filters that distort skin tone
A rejected photo delays the file longer than the $15.00 reprint costs.
Size and composition
Head height should be 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of hair. The photo is square, not the rectangular print from a drugstore strip unless it is cropped correctly. Digital uploads for online renewals follow the same proportions. If the crop cuts off your ears or leaves too much empty space, clerks send you back for a reprint.
Background and lighting
Use a plain white or off-white wall. Shadows behind your head fail. Selfies against a bathroom door fail. Overhead fluorescent glare on glasses was common before the no-glasses rule; now the issue is uneven skin tone from phone filters. Take the picture in even, natural light facing the camera directly.
What a photo costs
A typical pharmacy, warehouse club, or online crop-and-ship service charges about $15.00. That is not a State Department fee. We add it in the calculator only if you say you still need a photo. Online photo services (sponsored) are optional. Some acceptance facilities take photos on site for their own price. Ask when you book through where to apply.
Full document list: document checklist. Fee schedule: passport fees.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
No. Glasses are not allowed in US passport photos, even with a prescription. Remove them before the picture is taken. The official rule changed to reduce glare and frame obstruction.
Can I smile in my passport photo?
Natural smiles are fine. Exaggerated expressions or open-mouth grins are not. Keep your face relaxed and centered in the frame with both eyes open.
Where can I get a compliant 2×2 photo?
Pharmacies, warehouse clubs, and some post offices offer passport photos. Online services can crop and ship prints if you follow their capture instructions. Ask your acceptance facility whether they take photos on site when you book through where to apply.
Does a bad photo delay my application?
Yes. A rejected photo sends the file back for a reprint, often adding weeks even on expedited applications. Budget $15.00 for a redo and read the official photo page before you submit.
Calculate your total cost
Add a photo estimate to your application fees and see a tailored checklist.
Calculate your passport cost