☀️Tip
Use good, even lighting
Stand facing a window for soft natural light, or use two lamps at eye level on either side. Avoid overhead lighting — it creates shadows under your eyes and chin that can cause rejection.
⭐ 4.9/5 · 24,000+ verified reviews
Passport Photo
Online — 2×2 Inch
in 3 Minutes
Create a government-compliant US passport photo from your phone or computer. AI-verified, expert-reviewed, and accepted by the State Department, USPS, and post offices worldwide. Instant digital download or prints delivered to your door.
100% acceptance guarantee
State Dept compliant
Ready in 3 minutes
Works on any device
US Passport Photo Dimensions
← 2 inches (51mm) →
2 inches (51mm)
Head 1–1⅜ in
Eye line
| Photo size | 2×2 in (51×51mm) |
| Head height | 1–1⅜ in (25–35mm) |
| Eye position | 1⅛–1⅜ in from bottom |
| Background | White / off-white |
| Resolution | min 600 DPI |
US Passport Photo Requirements 2026
Official US State Department Passport Photo Specifications
All US passport photos must meet the US State Department specifications below. PhotoPass automatically checks every requirement — you don't need to measure anything manually.
📐
Photo size2×2 inches (51×51 mm) — square format, color photograph
🖼️
BackgroundPlain white or off-white — no patterns, no shadows, no objects
👤
Head height1 to 1-3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown of head
👁️
Eye position1-1/8 to 1-3/8 inches from the bottom of the photo — eyes open, looking at camera
😐
ExpressionNeutral expression or natural smile, mouth closed. No exaggerated expressions.
🕶️
No glassesGlasses are not permitted since November 2016 — no exceptions except medical
📅
Photo recencyMust be taken within the last 6 months and reflect current appearance
Head coverings are not permitted in US passport photos unless worn daily for religious reasons. A signed statement from the applicant may be required.
Create Compliant Passport Photo NowInternational Specs
Passport Photo Sizes by Country
Requirements differ significantly between countries. PhotoPass has a verified template for each.
| Country | PhotoPass ✓ | Photo Size | Head Height | Background | Glasses | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | ✓ Supported | 2×2 in (51×51mm) | 1–1⅜ in (25–35mm) | White / off-white | Not allowed | State Dept |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | ✓ Supported | 35×45mm | 29–34mm | Light grey / cream | Not allowed | HMPO |
| 🇪🇺 EU / Schengen | ✓ Supported | 35×45mm | 32–36mm | White / light grey | Not allowed | ICAO Biometric |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | ✓ Supported | 50×70mm | 31–36mm | White | Not allowed | IRCC |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | ✓ Supported | 35×45mm | 32–36mm | White / light grey | Not allowed | DFAT |
| 🇮🇳 India | ✓ Supported | 51×51mm | 25–35mm | White | Not allowed | MEA / BLS |
| 🇨🇳 China | ✓ Supported | 33×48mm | 28–33mm | White | Medical only | MPS |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ✓ Supported | 35×45mm | 32–36mm | White / light grey | Not allowed | BMI |
| 🇫🇷 France | ✓ Supported | 35×45mm | 32–36mm | White / light grey | Not allowed | ANTS |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | ✓ Supported | 30×40mm | 25–32mm | White | Not allowed | PF / MRE |
Photo TipsHow to Take a Perfect
How to Take a Perfect
Passport Photo at Home
Follow these tips before uploading. Our AI fixes many issues automatically, but a good source photo always gets the best result.
🧱Do
Use a white or plain wall
Stand 2–3 feet in front of a plain white, cream, or light-coloured wall. Distance from the wall prevents shadows on the background. Our AI removes the background automatically, but a clean background helps.
😐Tip
Neutral expression, eyes open
Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression or natural slight smile. Both eyes must be fully open and clearly visible. Avoid squinting or raising your eyebrows.
🕶️Don't
No glasses, hats or accessories
Remove glasses before taking the photo — they have been prohibited in US passport photos since 2016. Remove hats, sunglasses, headbands, and large hair accessories that obscure your face or hairline.
📱Do
Use your rear phone camera
Your phone's rear camera is significantly higher quality than the selfie camera. Ask someone to take the photo for you, or use a timer. Hold the phone at eye level, not above or below.
🖼️Tip
Frame your full head and shoulders
Make sure your entire head — including the top of your hair and chin — is fully in frame, with a little space above the crown. Don't crop too tight. PhotoPass will reframe to the correct 2×2 proportions.
How It Works
Make Your Passport Photo in 5 Steps
Upload your photo
Take a selfie or upload any recent photo. Smartphone, camera — any device works.
AI detects your face
Our AI identifies your face, checks positioning against all State Dept requirements.
Background removed
Background is automatically removed and replaced with a compliant white background.
Expert review
A trained expert reviews your photo for glasses, shadows, expression and compliance.
Download or print
Download digital photo instantly or order 4 printed photos delivered to your door.
100+ Countries
Passport Photos for Every Country
Every template verified against official government specifications and updated automatically.
🇺🇸🇬🇧🇪🇺🇨🇦🇦🇺🇮🇳🇩🇪🇫🇷🇨🇳🇧🇷🇲🇽🌍
US Passport Photo
2×2 in (51×51mm)
Make US passport photo →
UK Passport Photo
35×45mm · HMPO
Make UK passport photo →
EU Passport Photo
35×45mm · Biometric
Make EU passport photo →
Canada Passport Photo
50×70mm · IRCC
Make Canada passport photo →
Australia Passport Photo
35×45mm · DFAT
Make AU passport photo →
India Passport Photo
51×51mm · MEA
Make India passport photo →
Germany Passport Photo
35×45mm · BMI
Make DE passport photo →
France Passport Photo
35×45mm · ANTS
Make FR passport photo →
China Passport Photo
33×48mm · MPS
Make CN passport photo →
Brazil Passport Photo
30×40mm · PF
Make BR passport photo →
Mexico Passport Photo
35×45mm · SRE
Make MX passport photo →
All 100+ Countries
Every country's specs
View all templates →
Simple Pricing
Passport Photo Pricing
No hidden fees. No subscriptions. One-time payment, instant results.
Digital
Digital Only
Download instantly — use anywhere
$9.99
one-time per photo set
✓High-res 2×2 in digital file
✓Instant download
✓AI + expert verification
✓100% acceptance guarantee
✓Use for online applications
✗Printed photos
🏆 Best ValueGet complete package
Complete
Digital + 4 Prints
Digital file + 4 printed passport photos
$16.99
one-time · USPS delivery included
✓High-res digital file
✓4 × printed 2×2 in photos
✓AI + expert verification
✓100% acceptance guarantee
✓USPS First Class delivery
✓Free reprint if rejected
Family
Family Bundle
Up to 5 people — perfect for renewals
$39.99
one-time · up to 5 photos
✓5 × digital passport photos
✓20 × printed copies
✓AI + expert verification all
✓100% acceptance guarantee
✓Priority mail delivery
✓Baby & child photos included
Customer Reviews
What Customers Say About PhotoPass
★★★★★
"Accepted first try at the post office. I had always paid $15+ at Walgreens. PhotoPass was faster, cheaper and I could do it from home while eating breakfast. The AI nailed the background removal."
★★★★★
"Needed an emergency passport renewal — uploaded a photo at 10pm and had my digital file by 10:03pm. The post office accepted it without a second glance. Can't recommend this enough."
★★★★★
"Did 3 passport renewals for the whole family including a 7-year-old. All three photos passed with no issues. My daughter's turned out especially well — getting kids to cooperate for photos is hard but PhotoPass handled it."
FAQ
Passport Photo FAQ
Passport Photo Guide — Requirements, Tips & Common Questions
Passport Photo Online: Everything You Need to Know
Creating a passport photo online is now the most convenient and reliable way to get a government-compliant photo. Gone are the days of driving to a pharmacy or mall photo booth. With PhotoPass, you upload a photo from your phone, our AI verifies compliance with US passport photo requirements, and you download a print-ready digital file in minutes.
The US State Department now accepts digital passport photo submissions for many application types, including online passport renewals via the updated DS-82 process. Having a high-quality digital file is increasingly essential.
US passport photo size and specifications
The US passport photo must be exactly 2×2 inches (51×51mm). This is a square format, unlike many other countries which use rectangular formats like 35×45mm. The head must occupy 50–69% of the photo height, with eyes positioned 1-1/8 to 1-3/8 inches from the bottom of the photo.
Make a Passport Photo at Home — Complete Guide
Learning how to take a passport photo at home saves time and money. The most important factors are lighting, background, and head position. Use a plain white wall, stand 2–3 feet away from it, and photograph in good natural or diffuse artificial light.
Many people search for "passport photo near me" when a home solution is both faster and cheaper. PhotoPass produces passport photos online that meet every US State Department requirement, with the added benefit of AI verification plus an expert human review that a CVS or Walgreens kiosk simply can't offer.
Most searched passport photo topics
Biometric Passport Photo — International Standards
A biometric passport photo refers to a photo that meets ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards for machine-readable documents. These standards govern head size, face position, eye position, background, and image quality for passports that contain electronic chips.
The US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and most developed countries now use biometric passports. PhotoPass creates photos that comply with ICAO standards for all these countries, including the specific national variations each government applies on top of the ICAO base requirements.
Biometric passport photo by country
Passport Photo App — Take & Create on Your Phone
The PhotoPass passport photo app for iOS and Android makes it even easier to take, edit and submit your passport photo from your smartphone. The app uses your phone's camera with live alignment guides, so you can position your face correctly before even taking the shot.
Unlike generic photo editing apps, PhotoPass is specifically designed for government ID photo compliance. It understands the difference between a 2×2 inch US passport photo and a 35×45mm UK passport photo, and it applies the correct crop, background and compliance check for each country automatically.
Related searches: passport photo apps and tools
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