Make U.S. Passport Photo with AI

Unfold More Details for Your U.S. Passport Photos

One should always pay attention to the specific requirements of a U.S. passport photo if you expect your passport to be 100% approved. Below are some must-followed rules to secure your U.S. passport hassle-free:

1. Make sure to have a natural facial expression. That means no smiles or frowns.
2. Face the lens directly with your entire face in view. (Note: Don't cover your ears or eyebrows.)
3. Avoid extravagant clothes and put on your everyday casual attire. (Note: Religious exemptions are acceptable if you have documented evidence of faith.)
4. Take a photo with a plain white or off-white background.
5. Leave the accessories such as glasses (they started prohibiting prescription glasses back in 2016), headphones, hats, hair ornaments, and so on at home.
6. Make sure to submit a current passport photo, at most six months old.
7. Submit images in the right size and dimensions.
8. Your photo must reflect your true, current appearance. As of January 2026, the U.S. Department of State screens for and rejects photos altered with AI face-editing, skin smoothing, filters, or exposure enhancement.

Make sure you meet the above requirements before submitting your passport photo.

Note: Most passport applications (DS-11, DS-82) now require only one printed color passport photo, not two. Online renewal requires a digital upload instead of a printed photo. Requirements can vary by form, so always confirm the current instruction on your specific application.

Below are some further detailed explanations to clear up any remaining confusion!

Prepare Photos of Proper Size and Dimensions

There is a strict size requirement for U.S. passport photos. Make sure to read this carefully and thoroughly to avoid any disqualifications for your U.S. passport. 

• Size: 2x2 inches (51mm x 51mm).
• The distance from the head to the bottom of the chin should be 1 to 1.375 inches (i.e., 25-35 mm).
• The eye height of the person visible in the photo should be between 1.125 to 1.375 inches (28-35 mm) from the bottom of the image. 

Digital Passport Photo Size

Make sure to pay attention to the digital passport photo size!

Photo size: The face must take up a certain amount of the photo, stipulated rigorously in the U.S. passport guidelines. The requirements state that the applicant's face should occupy between 50% and 69% of the image's height. That distance includes from the top of the head, including the hair, to the bottom of the chin.

Photo dimensions: The system uses pixels instead of inches/centimeters to measure the digital photo size. The photo's pixel dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio (i.e., the height must equal the width). The photo size has to be between 600x600 pixels and 1200x1200 pixels. For example, a rejected photo would have measurements higher than 1200px in width/height. It might also be the case if the photo's width/height is less than 600px.

Photo format: JPEG file is the only acceptable format for approval. Therefore, please double-check your image to ensure you save it in the correct format (for example: rather than PNG or PDF file format). 

Photo file size and compression: The maximum file size should be no more than 240kB (kilobytes). It is a requirement to have your photo compressed to meet the size requirement. The compression ratio should be less than or equal to 20:1.

Photo Color: The passport-style photo must be in color (24 bits per pixel) in sRGB color space.

U.S. Passport Photo Background

According to the official requirements, you must take an acceptable passport photo against a plain background (white and off-white). Understanding that there should be nothing behind you in the image is imperative.

Otherwise, this could lead to a quick rejection for an improper background. A busy room, colored wall, or shadowy corner is one of the most common reasons photos get rejected — if you can't shoot against a truly plain white wall, AiPassportPhotos can replace your background with a compliant plain white or off-white one.

Note Your Facial Expression

A neutral facial expression makes it easier for authorities to confirm your identity and grant your passport. Here are some tips to make sure your facial expression is the last thing of your concern.

Make sure to keep your eyes open and your mouth closed. Keep both sides of your face visible and equally lit with proper lighting and no covering or shadows. Just show your confidence and natural status in front of the camera lens. Face the camera directly with your entire face in view, and remember to avoid any shadows.

Remember three criteria for 100% compliance for a passport photo: a neutral facial expression, a closed mouth, and visible eyes.

Pay Attention to Your Accessories

It is easy to overlook the requirements of accessories ranging from glasses to hats. Therefore, we draw a brief conclusion here for you.

It's important to remember that authorities have accepted glasses in photos if there is no reflection in the image since 2016. But prescription glasses are NOT allowed in U.S. passport photos anymore.

Likewise, only when you need to wear hats or clothes for religious beliefs (which requires documental proof) can you wear a hat and religious clothes while taking U.S. passport photos.

Put on Proper Clothing

Appropriate clothing is an integral part of a U.S. passport photo. There is no specific statement about the clothing for U.S. passport photos.

However, this is a space that offers you some tips. As the background should be white or off-white, we recommend not wearing lighter-colored clothing to help ensure a good image. If you are planning to wear a t-shirt with a collar, please remember to keep it neat and tidy.

Additionally, avoid wearing clothing that resembles a uniform or camouflage attire. It's best to wear casual clothes to avoid rejection based on the outfit you picked. Try a smart-casual style instead of just a hoodie or a T-shirt.

Ensure Sufficient Lighting

Lighting should be one of the crucial considerations.

Firstly, as taking photos in the dark might spark off the red-eye effect, you'd better avoid taking pictures using a flash. The best photos come from daytime and natural light, making your images clear and valid.

Secondly, both sides of your face need equal lighting with no shadow on your face. In a word, No shadow, no covering, no over-or underexposure.

Check Whether You Are Ready for Photos

To ensure that you can pass such strict criteria implemented on your U.S. passport photos, you should prepare yourself with as much information as possible. Here's a quick checklist to help you if you are stuck in the passport photo process. Check "Yes" and "No" below:

Yes:

1. Present a relaxed status with a correct facial expression.
2. Look straight ahead and directly at the lens.
3. Ensure your face is visible without any covering and shadows.
4. Appropriate distance between body and camera. (minimum 40 cm).
5. The background should be white and off-white.
6. Lens at eye level.
7. Put on proper accessories and clothes.
8. Take photos against a plain background.
9. Photos are taken within six months of application.
10. Submit one printed photo for most passport applications (check your specific form for exact requirements).

No:

1. NO shadow, no over-or underexposure, no covering.
2. NO jewelry, hats(except for religious reasons), or headphones.
3. NO white clothes or clothes in light colors that might easily blend with the background.
4. NO paper clips or staples when you submit the photo.
5. NO dark background (red, brown, black, etc.).
6. NO AI face retouching, skin smoothing, filters, or exposure/AI enhancement on your face — this is a rejection risk the Department of State actively screens for.

How Can AiPassportPhotos Help You?

1. Online photo resizer. The online passport photo software will help you tailor the size and rotate the photo, ensuring that your photo size will be accepted.
2. Your passport picture modifier. By employing AiPassportPhotos, you can get a passport photo template that is printable and ready to download.
3. Background remover and changer. If your background isn't plain white or off-white, AiPassportPhotos can swap it for a compliant one — a practical fix when you don't have access to a proper studio backdrop at home.
4. Built for U.S. compliance, not AI beautification. AiPassportPhotos never touches your face — no skin smoothing, no exposure "enhancement," no filters, no face-swapping. We only adjust size, cropping, and background, so your photo still reflects your true appearance and meets the Department of State's current rules against AI-altered photos.