A wrong photo is one of the top reasons a U.S. passport application gets delayed or returned — and it's completely avoidable. Here's the complete 2026 checklist, the do's and don'ts at a glance, and exactly what gets a photo rejected.
U.S. passport photo requirements (2026)
Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
Head size: 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head.
Recency: taken within the last 6 months — it has to look like you do now.
Color, full front view, full face clearly visible.
Neutral expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.
Plain white or off-white background — no patterns, no shadows.
Everyday clothing — no uniforms (except religious attire worn daily), no camouflage.
No glasses — not allowed since 2016 (rare medical exceptions need a signed doctor's note).
No hats or head coverings, except for religious or medical reasons with a signed statement.
No headphones, earbuds, or wireless devices.
No filters or digital edits.
Printed on matte or glossy photo paper.
The do's and don'ts at a glance
The visual above sums it up — a good photo is centered, evenly lit, on a clean white background. Here's what trips people up:
Drop shadows — on the face or behind the head (stand away from the wall and use even lighting).
Background color — it must be plain white or off-white, never colored or busy.
Too far away — your head ends up too small in the frame.
Too close — your head gets cropped or fills too much of the frame.
Hair covering the face — keep it clear of your eyes and face.
Unaccepted accessories — hats, sunglasses, and headphones are all rejections.
What gets a passport photo rejected
Glasses of any kind (no longer allowed).
A background that isn't plain white.
An old photo, or one that's been filtered or edited.
Mouth open, a big toothy grin, or eyes not fully open.
Wrong size, or the head too large or too small.
Shadows, glare, red-eye, or uneven lighting.
A phone selfie — the lens distorts your face; use a straight-on shot.
If a photo of yours was bounced before, our guide to common passport photo mistakes walks through the fixes.
We'll get it right on the spot
We take passport photos that meet the official specification and check them before your application goes out — so a photo problem doesn't cost you a delay or a return. It's one of the small, avoidable things we handle for you.
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Need it done right? Book an appointment and we'll take a compliant passport photo while you're here.
Get My Passports is a private company that provides passport and visa application assistance and professional passport photo services. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Government authorities make all passport decisions and control official processing times. Our service fees are separate from government fees.
In Chicago? We take compliant passport photos on the spot. Applying for a China visa instead? See the China visa photo requirements — the spec is different.
If you want it done once, correctly — this is what we do.
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FAQ
What size does a U.S. passport photo need to be?
Can I wear glasses in a U.S. passport photo?
Can I smile in my passport photo?
