Printed Photos for Paper Applications
Printed photo requirements for passport applications submitted by mail or in person. All specifications are based on official guidelines.
| Specification | Official requirement |
|---|---|
| Print size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Quantity | 2 identical printed photos |
| Paper | Matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Head size | 25–35 mm from chin to top of hair |
Always confirm the latest rules on the official government site before you submit.
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Can I print my own passport photo at home?
Will a home-printed photo be accepted?
What size should I print?
Size
2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
Quantity
2 identical photos required
Recent Photo
Taken within last 6 months
Official Visual Guidance
✅ 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
❌ Why this photo is unacceptable:
- • Poor white balance (blue tint)
- • Unnatural skin tone
- • May cause application delays
💡 How to fix:
- • Change your camera's white balance setting
- • Use proper lighting conditions
- • Ensure natural skin tone reproduction
Print Requirements
📸 Photo Requirements:
- • 2 identical printed photos required
- • 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
- • Printed on matte or glossy photo paper
- • High resolution - not blurry, grainy, or pixelated
- • No photocopies or digitally-scanned photos
📐 Head Size:
- • Head must be between 1 - 1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm)
- • From bottom of chin to top of head
- • Properly centered in the photo
✅ Must Be:
- • Clear and in focus
- • In color (not black and white)
- • Unaltered by computer software
- • No red eye
- • Properly exposed (not too bright or dark)
❌ Must Not Be:
- • Damaged with holes, creases, or smudges
- • Blurry, grainy, or pixelated
- • Photocopies or digitally-scanned
- • Altered by software, apps, or AI
Technical Requirements
📐 Exact Dimensions:
- • Width: 2 inches (51 mm)
- • Height: 2 inches (51 mm)
- • Square format required
- • No cropping after printing
🖨️ Printing Requirements:
- • Matte or glossy photo paper
- • Professional photo quality
- • No regular printer paper
- • No home inkjet printing unless high quality
💡 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
Pose and Expression
✅ What to do:
- • Directly face the camera without tilting your head
- • Full face in view
- • Both eyes open and visible
- • Mouth closed
- • Neutral facial expression
- • 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
❌ Must Remove:
- • Eyeglasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses
- • Headphones or wireless hands-free devices
- • Face coverings or medical masks
- • Hats or head coverings (unless religious/medical)
- • 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)
- • Regular clothing in solid colors
📸 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.
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.
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)
Recent Photo Required
Your photo must have been taken within the last 6 months.
Two Photos Required
You must submit 2 identical printed photos with your application.
Photo Review
A U.S. Department of State employee will review your photo and decide if it can be accepted.
No Alterations
Do not change your photo using computer software, phone apps, filters, or artificial intelligence.
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