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Your US passport photo,
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A US passport photo is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) with the head measuring 1 to 1⅜ inches (25-35 mm) from chin to crown, on a plain white background.

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Casual phone selfie taken at home, before being turned into a passport photo
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Government-compliant passport photo generated from a phone selfie on a plain uniform background
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From a casual phone selfie to a government-compliant passport photo in seconds.

Official requirements

United States passport photo at a glance

Photo size
2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm)
Head size
Head 1-1⅜ in (25-35 mm) from chin to crown
Background
Plain white or off-white
Digital file
Square, 600×600 to 1200×1200 px, JPG/PNG/HEIC, 54 KB-10 MB
Recency
Taken within the last 6 months
Prints per sheet
2

Source: U.S. Department of State, verified by OnePassPhoto.

Full size and requirements

US passport photo: common questions

What size is a US passport photo?

A US passport photo is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) with the head measuring 1 to 1⅜ inches (25-35 mm) from chin to crown, on a plain white background.

Can I take a United States passport photo at home?

Yes. Take a clear, front-facing photo against a plain wall in even light. We check it against the official rules and tell you right away whether it passes.

Can I smile in my US passport photo?

No. United States asks for a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open, looking straight at the camera.

What background does a US passport photo need?

Plain white or off-white. Our engine sets a compliant background for you.