Digital Photos for Online Renewal
Online Renewal
Digital photo requirements for passport renewals submitted online through the U.S. Department of State. All specifications are based on official guidelines.
Quick size reference
| Specification | Official requirement |
|---|---|
| Digital file size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) square |
| Head size | Head 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm) from chin to top of hair |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| File format | JPEG, within upload size limits (check travel.state.gov) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Always confirm the latest rules on the official government site before you submit.
Crop your photo free online
Browser-based passport photo tool — process locally on your device, no watermark on downloads.
Works in your browser. No app download required.
Printing passport photos at home
Can I print my own passport photo at home?
Many countries allow home printing if the photo meets official size, paper, and quality rules. Use matte photo paper and check head size against the diagram above before submitting.
Will a home-printed photo be accepted?
Final acceptance depends on your authority's current standards, print quality, background, and expression. Some applications require professional prints—always read the latest official guidance.
What size should I print?
Use the official dimensions in the table above. Our free online cropper exports the correct aspect ratio so you can print at the right size.
New digital passport photo system
US online renewal now uses automated photo checks. Uploads are scanned for 2×2 dimensions, head size, plain background, and face position—filters and AI edits often fail.
- • Photos are scanned for correct dimensions, face position, and plain background
- • Filters, AI touch-ups, and swapped backgrounds often cause automatic rejection
- • Start with a correctly cropped 2×2 file rather than uploading an uncropped phone photo
- • If rejected, read the reason and take a new photo—do not heavily edit the same file
- • Stricter than older online forms—uncropped phone photos frequently fail
- • Use our free cropper and passport photo checker before you upload to travel.state.gov
Rules change—confirm the latest upload requirements at travel.state.gov before you apply.
Quick Overview
Essential requirements at a glance
📏
Size
2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
📅
Recent Photo
Taken within last 6 months
🎯
Quality
High resolution & clear
Official Visual Guidance
Good Photo Example
Example of an acceptable passport photo
✅ What makes this photo good:
- • Clear and in focus
- • Proper lighting without shadows
- • Neutral expression with eyes open
- • White background
- • Proper head size and positioning
Underexposed Photo Example
Example of an unacceptable photo due to poor lighting
❌ Why this photo is unacceptable:
- • Photo is underexposed (too dark)
- • Poor lighting makes face unclear
- • Difficult to see facial features
- • May cause application delays
💡 How to fix:
- • Change your camera exposure settings
- • Use extra lighting
- • Ensure uniform lighting on your face
Photo Requirements
Basic Requirements
Fundamental photo specifications
📸 Photo Specifications:
- • Submit one color photo
- • Recent photo taken in last 6 months
- • Clear image of your face
- • No computer software alterations
- • No phone apps or filters
- • No artificial intelligence modifications
📐 Size Requirements:
- • 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
- • Head size: 1 - 1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from chin to top of head
- • High resolution - not blurry, grainy, or pixelated
Pose and Expression
How to position yourself for the photo
✅ What to do:
- • Directly face the camera without tilting your head
- • Neutral facial expression with both eyes open
- • Mouth closed
- • Full face in view
- • You can smile - just make sure eyes are open and mouth is closed
❌ What to avoid:
- • Head tilting or turning
- • Closed eyes or squinting
- • Open mouth or unusual expressions
- • Looking away from camera
Technical Requirements
Resolution and Quality
Technical specifications for your digital photo
📐 Dimensions:
- • Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
- • Head size: 1 - 1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from chin to top of head
- • High resolution required
🎨 Quality:
- • Not blurry, grainy, or pixelated
- • Printed on matte or glossy photo paper
- • No photocopies or digitally-scanned photos
- • No damage with holes, creases, or smudges
Lighting and Background
Proper lighting and background requirements
💡 Lighting:
- • Uniform lighting on your face
- • Avoid overhead lighting that casts shadows
- • Avoid lights too far to the side
- • Not too bright (causes overexposure)
- • Not too dim (causes underexposure)
🎨 Background:
- • White or off-white background
- • No shadows on background
- • No texture or lines
- • Plain and uncluttered
Attire and Accessories
Glasses and Accessories
What you can and cannot wear
❌ Must Remove:
- • Don't wear glasses unless medically necessary
- • Don't wear sunglasses or tinted glasses
- • Don't wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices
- • Don't wear face coverings or medical masks
- • Don't wear hats or head coverings (unless religious/medical)
- • Don't wear uniforms or camouflage clothing
✅ Can Wear:
- • Jewelry and facial piercings
- • Religious head coverings (with signed statement)
- • Medical head coverings (with doctor's statement)
- • Glasses for medical reasons (with doctor's note)
Clothing Requirements
What clothing is acceptable
❌ Cannot Wear:
- • Uniforms or clothing that looks like uniforms
- • Camouflage clothing
- • Anything that covers your face
✅ Can Wear:
- • Regular clothing in solid colors
- • Business attire or casual wear
- • Any color that contrasts with background
Special Requirements for Babies and Toddlers
Special guidelines for children under 6 and babies
📸 Setup Tips:
- • Lay your baby or toddler on a plain white or off-white sheet
- • Cover a car seat with a plain white or off-white sheet
- • Make sure there are no shadows on your baby or toddler's face
- • Take photo from above for babies
👶 Special Rules:
- • Babies' eyes do not need to be entirely open
- • All other children must have their eyes open
- • Children must be alone in the picture
- • No toys or dummies for babies
Good Child Photo Example
This child photo meets all requirements: clear, proper lighting, and appropriate setup.
Appearance Changes
When you need a new passport due to appearance changes
✅ Minor Changes - Do NOT apply for new passport:
- • Growing a beard
- • Coloring your hair
- • Normal aging process
⚠️ Major Changes - Apply for new passport:
- • Significant facial surgery or trauma
- • Adding or removing many large facial piercings or tattoos
- • Significant weight loss or gain
Where to Get Your Photo
Recommended places to get your passport photo taken
🏢
Acceptance Facility
An acceptance facility that will take a photo when you apply for your passport.
📸
Photo Services
Any company which offers photo services for passport photos.
👨👩👧👦
DIY Option
A friend or family member can take your photo, and print it on matte or glossy paper.
Available Photo Formats
Our tool supports high-quality formats that meet U.S. Department of State requirements. Choose the format that best suits your needs.
US Passport (Online) - High resolution
US passport photo requirements for online renewal - high resolution digital format
Dimensions:
100 × 100 mm
1200 × 1200 px
Head Height:
50-70 mm
50-70% of photo height
Key Requirements:
- • Face forward, looking straight at camera
- • Neutral expression, mouth closed
- • Eyes open and clearly visible
- • Plain light-colored background
- • No shadows on face or behind you
- • No glasses (unless medically necessary)
⚠️ Important Reminders
1
Recent Photo Required
Your photo must have been taken within the last 6 months.
2
No Alterations
Do not change your photo using computer software, phone apps, filters, or artificial intelligence.
3
High Resolution
Submit a high-resolution photo that is not blurry, grainy, or pixelated.
Ready to Create Your US Passport Photo?
Use our free online passport photo tool to create compliant photos that meet all US requirements
Smart Cropping
Automatic head positioning and size adjustment
Official Compliance
Meets all US passport photo requirements
Privacy First
All processing happens in your browser
Start cropping your passport photo
Free online tool • No app download • Instant download
Official Source
For the most up-to-date and complete information, refer to the official source: