Official 2026 Requirements
Every official US Department of State passport photo rule for 2026 in one reference — exact size, background, head positioning, expression, glasses, clothing, recency, and digital file specifications. Updated for current rules.
| Factor | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) | Square — never rectangular |
| Digital file size | 600 x 600 pixels minimum | Up to 1200 x 1200 px (1:1 ratio) |
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) | Color only — no black and white |
| Head height | 1 to 1.375 inches (25-35 mm) | Chin to top of head |
| Eye position | 1.125 to 1.375 inches from bottom | Eyes open, looking at camera |
| Background | Plain white or off-white | No patterns, shadows, or borders |
| Expression | Neutral or natural closed-mouth smile | No exaggerated expressions |
| Glasses | Not allowed | Banned since November 2016 |
| Head coverings | Only religious or medical | Signed statement required |
| Recency | Taken within last 6 months | Must reflect current appearance |
The US Department of State publishes the official passport photo requirements at travel.state.gov. These rules apply to all passport applications, renewals, and child passports submitted in 2026 — whether you file online through MyTravelGov or by mail with Form DS-11 or DS-82.
The headline rules: 2x2 inch color photo, plain white or off-white background, no glasses, neutral expression, head correctly sized in the frame, and taken within the last six months. The rest of this page covers the specifics of each requirement.
The official US passport photo size is exactly 2 inches by 2 inches. This is the same size used for US visas, green card applications, and citizenship filings. There is no acceptable variation — 2x2 is the only legal size.
For digital uploads (online passport renewal through MyTravelGov), the file must be at least 600 x 600 pixels in a 1:1 square aspect ratio. Larger files up to 1200 x 1200 pixels are accepted as long as the ratio stays square.
The size of your head within the 2x2 frame matters as much as the photo size itself. The State Department requires the head — measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (including hair) — to be between 1 inch and 1.375 inches tall.
Your eyes must be positioned between 1.125 and 1.375 inches from the bottom of the photo. This positions your face in the upper-center portion of the frame with appropriate white space above the head and below the chin.
The background must be plain white or off-white. No other colors are accepted — not light gray, not cream, not pale blue. The background must be smooth, evenly lit, and free of patterns, textures, shadows, or other people.
If your home does not have a plain white wall, FastPassPhoto can replace any background automatically. The AI handles background replacement to meet the white requirement regardless of where you took the source photo.
Eyeglasses are not allowed in US passport photos. This rule has been in effect since November 1, 2016, when the State Department banned all glasses to reduce rejections from glare and obscured eyes.
The only exception is a documented medical reason for wearing glasses that cannot be removed. This requires a signed statement from a doctor and is reviewed case-by-case by the State Department. The exception is rarely granted.
A neutral expression or a natural closed-mouth smile is acceptable. The State Department's policy is that your facial expression should look natural and not interfere with facial recognition systems used at borders and ports of entry.
What is not allowed: open-mouth smiles showing teeth, exaggerated expressions, frowns, raised eyebrows, or any expression that distorts your normal appearance.
Wear normal everyday clothing. The State Department does not require formal attire, but uniforms (military, work, security) are not allowed. Religious clothing worn daily as part of your practice is allowed.
Choose clothing that contrasts with the white background. Solid colored shirts or tops in darker tones work best. Avoid white or very light-colored tops because they blend into the white background.
Hats and fashion head coverings are not allowed. Religious and medical head coverings worn daily are allowed with a signed statement from you (for religious reasons) or from a doctor (for medical reasons).
Even with the exemption, your full face must be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and both edges of the face must be visible. The head covering cannot cast shadows on your face.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last six months from when the State Department processes your application. This applies to first-time applications and all renewals — including online renewals through MyTravelGov.
Even within the six-month window, you should use a fresh photo if your appearance has changed significantly. Major changes include weight gain or loss, growing or shaving a full beard, significant hairstyle changes, facial tattoos, or facial surgery.
Online renewal through MyTravelGov launched in 2024 and is now widely available for eligible passports. Online renewal requires a digital photo upload, not a physical print.
The file specifications: JPEG format (.jpg), minimum 600 x 600 pixels, 1:1 square aspect ratio, color only, file size up to 10 MB. The photo content must still meet all standard requirements — size, background, expression, etc.
If you are filing Form DS-11 (first time) or DS-82 (renewal by mail), you submit a physical 2x2 inch printed photo. The print must be on photo-quality glossy or matte paper — not regular printer paper.
The State Department recommends printing at a photo lab (pharmacy, retailer, or online photo service) rather than at home unless you have a high-quality photo printer with proper photo paper. Print resolution should be at least 300 DPI.
Baby and child passport photos follow the same size, background, and quality requirements as adult photos. There are limited accommodations for very young infants who cannot follow instructions.
For children under one year, eyes may be closed, expression may be neutral or slightly open-mouthed, and the child does not need to look directly at the camera (though it is preferred). For all children: no toys, pacifiers, bottles, or hands visible in the photo.
The State Department publishes rejection statistics. The most common reasons photos get rejected in 2026: shadows on the face or background, wearing glasses, head incorrectly sized in the frame, photo too old (over 6 months), and digital file uploaded in the wrong format or size.
For online renewals, the most common technical errors are uploading a non-JPEG file, uploading a file smaller than 600x600 pixels, or uploading a 4x6 print sheet instead of a single passport photo.
FastPassPhoto creates compliant US passport photos that meet every official 2026 requirement automatically. The AI handles background replacement, sizing, head positioning, eye-line alignment, and file format — all matched to current State Department specifications.
You upload any recent photo, the AI processes it in under a minute, and you download both a digital file (600x600 pixels, JPEG, ready for MyTravelGov upload) and a 4x6 print template with six 2x2 photos for any mail-in application.
2x2 inch color photo, plain white or off-white background, head between 1 and 1.375 inches from chin to top, eyes open and looking at camera, neutral expression or natural closed-mouth smile, no glasses, taken within the last 6 months. Digital uploads must be JPEG at 600x600 pixels minimum.
Exactly 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). For digital uploads, the file must be at least 600 x 600 pixels in a 1:1 square aspect ratio.
Plain white or off-white only. No other colors are accepted — not light gray, not cream, not pale blue. The background must be smooth and free of patterns, shadows, or other people.
No. Eyeglasses have been banned in US passport photos since November 1, 2016. The only exception is for documented medical reasons requiring a doctor's signed statement.
Yes — but only a natural closed-mouth smile. Open-mouth smiles showing teeth and exaggerated expressions are not allowed.
The head (from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head) must be between 1 inch and 1.375 inches tall in the 2x2 frame. The eyes must sit between 1.125 and 1.375 inches from the bottom of the photo.
Taken within the last 6 months. Even if your photo is within that window, you should retake if your appearance has changed significantly.
JPEG (.jpg) format at minimum 600 x 600 pixels in a 1:1 square aspect ratio, with a maximum file size of 10 MB. PNG and HEIC files are not accepted.
Yes. Every passport renewal — online through MyTravelGov or by mail with DS-82 — requires a new photo taken within the last 6 months. You cannot reuse the photo from your previous passport.
Yes. The State Department accepts home-taken photos as long as they meet all official requirements. Use a smartphone, position yourself in front of a plain white wall with even lighting, and either crop the photo to spec yourself or use a service like FastPassPhoto to handle sizing and background.
The size and background rules are the same. The differences: for children under 1 year, eyes may be closed and expressions may be slightly open-mouthed. No pacifiers, bottles, hands, or toys can be visible in the photo.
Hats and fashion head coverings are not allowed. Religious and medical head coverings are allowed with a signed personal statement (religious) or doctor's statement (medical). Your full face must still be visible from chin to forehead.
Everyday clothing in solid darker colors that contrast with the white background. No uniforms (military, work, security). Religious clothing worn daily is permitted.
The most common reasons: shadows on the face or background, glasses, incorrect head sizing, photo older than 6 months, or a digital file in the wrong format or dimensions. The State Department sends a written notice with the specific rejection reason.
Yes. The 2x2 inch size is used for US passports, US visas, green card applications, and citizenship (N-400) applications. The same compliant photo works for all of these.