🇺🇸 United States Passport Photo Requirements (2026 Guide)

Photo Dimensions

The US State Department requires passport photos that are exactly 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). This square format is one of the largest standard passport photo sizes in the world. For digital submissions, the minimum resolution is 600 x 600 pixels at 300 DPI, with a maximum of 1200 x 1200 pixels.

Background Requirements

The background must be white or off-white. No patterns, shadows, or textures are allowed. The background should be uniform with no visible objects, furniture, or other people. Even subtle shadows cast by overhead lighting can cause rejection.

Face and Expression

Your face must be clearly visible and centered in the frame. Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera. A neutral expression or natural smile is acceptable. Your head should be straight, not tilted or turned. The head height must be between 50% and 69% of the total image height, measured from the chin to the top of the head (including hair).

Glasses

Glasses are no longer allowed in US passport photos. As of November 1, 2016, the State Department prohibits eyeglasses in all passport photos. The only exception is when you cannot remove your glasses for documented medical reasons — in which case you must submit a signed statement from your doctor with your application. For everyone else, take the photo without glasses. This is one of the most common reasons photos taken from older guides get rejected today.

Head Coverings

Head coverings are not allowed except for religious reasons. If you wear a head covering for religious purposes, your full face must still be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead. The covering cannot cast shadows on the face.

Photo Recency

Your passport photo must have been taken within the last 6 months. It must reflect your current appearance. If you have significantly changed your hairstyle, gained or lost weight, or had facial surgery, you need a new photo.

US Passport Fee Schedule

US passport fees are split into two parts: an application fee paid to the U.S. Department of State, and a one-time $35 execution (acceptance) fee paid to the facility that processes your application in person. The execution fee applies to first-time applicants, all child passports, and lost/stolen replacements — but not to eligible adults renewing by mail or online. Optional expedited service and faster delivery are extra.

Fees last verified June 2026. Eligible adults renewing by mail or online skip the $35 execution fee. Always confirm current rates at travel.state.gov before paying. Fees are non-refundable, even if your application is denied.

Where to Apply in the US

The route you take depends on whether this is your first passport or a renewal.

• First-time applicants (Form DS-11): You must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility. There are thousands of these nationwide — most are post offices, public libraries, and county/city clerk of court offices. Many require an appointment, and you bring your completed DS-11, proof of citizenship, ID, and photo. The acceptance agent witnesses your signature and collects the $35 execution fee.
• Renewals by mail (Form DS-82): Eligible adults can renew entirely by mail — no in-person visit and no execution fee. You qualify if your most recent passport is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, was issued within the last 15 years, and is in your current name (or you can document a name change).
• Online renewal: As of 2026, eligible adults can renew online through the State Department's system. You generally qualify if you're 25 or older, your passport is a 10-year book expiring within a year (or expired less than 5 years ago), you're not changing any personal details, and you don't need it for travel within 6 weeks. Online renewals cannot be expedited.
• Regional passport agencies (urgent travel): There are 29 passport agencies and centers across the US for travelers who need a passport fast. These are appointment-only — no walk-ins — and are reserved for people with urgent international travel.

Applying at US Embassies Abroad

US citizens living or traveling outside the country apply for and renew passports at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, not at a domestic acceptance facility. First-time applicants and those who don't qualify for mail renewal use Form DS-11 and typically attend an in-person appointment; eligible adults can still use DS-82 to renew by mail through the consulate. Passports for citizens abroad are printed in the United States and shipped back, so allow extra time for international mailing. If you have an emergency abroad and need to travel before a full passport can be issued, embassies and consulates can issue a limited-validity emergency passport to get you moving, which is later replaced by a full-validity book.

Processing Times

The State Department publishes two standard processing speeds. Critically, these times do not include mailing — add roughly up to 2 weeks for your application to reach the processing center and another up to 2 weeks for your new passport to be mailed back.

For urgent international travel within 14 calendar days (or a foreign visa needed within 28 days), book an appointment at one of the 29 regional passport agencies. Life-or-death emergencies — a serious illness, injury, or death in your immediate family requiring travel within 3 business days — get the fastest handling, but you must provide documentation of both the emergency and your travel. Demand peaks in spring and early summer, so if you're traveling between April and August, apply several months ahead and don't rely on the routine timeline.

Top Reasons US Passport Photos Get Rejected

The State Department uses facial-recognition software plus human examiners to check submitted photos. These are the most common reasons a US passport photo fails:

1. Wearing glasses. Since November 2016, eyeglasses are banned in passport photos (medical exception with a doctor's note only). Photos taken from older guides that still show glasses are routinely rejected.
2. Shadows on the face or background. The single most common issue. Side or overhead lighting that throws a shadow behind your head or under your nose/chin will fail. Stand a few feet from a plain wall and use even, diffused light.
3. Wrong head size or position. Your head (chin to crown) must measure 1 to 1⅜ inches and fill 50–69% of the frame, centered. Too small, too large, or off-center fails.
4. Non-neutral expression. Both eyes open, mouth closed. A natural, closed-mouth smile is allowed, but anything exaggerated — open mouth, visible teeth, raised eyebrows — gets flagged.
5. Wrong background. Must be plain white or off-white. Cream, grey, patterned, or textured backgrounds — and any visible objects, furniture, or other people — will fail.
6. Digital alterations and filters. Beautify filters, skin smoothing, heavy compression, and other edits are detected and rejected. Modern phones apply some of these automatically.
7. Low photo quality. Blurry, grainy, pixelated, over- or under-exposed photos fail. Digital photos must be 600×600 to 1200×1200 px, JPEG, 240 kB or less.
8. Glare or reflection. Reflective jewelry, shiny accessories, or flash glare on the face triggers rejection.
9. Photo too old. Must be taken within the last 6 months and reflect your current appearance.
10. Head coverings. Not allowed unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons (with a signed statement), and your full face from chin to forehead must still be visible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear glasses in my US passport photo?

No. Eyeglasses have been prohibited in US passport photos since November 1, 2016. The only exception is for documented medical reasons, which requires a signed statement from your doctor submitted with your application. For everyone else, remove your glasses before taking the photo.

How much does a US passport cost in 2026?

A first-time adult passport book costs $165 total — a $130 application fee plus a $35 execution fee. A passport card is $65 total, and getting both the book and card is $195. Children under 16 pay $135 for a book. Expedited service adds $60, and 1–2 day delivery for books adds about $22. Eligible adults renewing by mail or online pay just the $130 application fee, with no execution fee.

How long does it take to get a US passport?

Routine processing is currently 4–6 weeks and expedited is 2–3 weeks (for an extra $60). Neither figure includes mailing — add up to 2 weeks each way, so plan for roughly 6–10 weeks routine, door to door. If you're traveling internationally within 14 days, you can book an appointment at a regional passport agency instead.

Can I smile in a US passport photo?

A natural, closed-mouth smile is allowed, but a neutral expression is the safest choice because the State Department's facial-recognition software is tuned for it. Keep both eyes open and your mouth closed. Open-mouth smiles, visible teeth, and exaggerated expressions are rejected.

Can I renew my US passport online?

Yes, as of 2026 eligible adults can renew online. You generally qualify if you're 25 or older, your most recent passport is a 10-year book that's expiring within a year or expired less than 5 years ago, you're not changing your name or other details, and you don't need the passport within 6 weeks. Online renewals cannot be expedited, so apply early.

Do I have to apply in person?

First-time applicants must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility (post office, library, or clerk of court) using Form DS-11. Eligible adults renewing an existing passport can do it entirely by mail (Form DS-82) or online — no in-person visit and no $35 execution fee.

Are children's passport photo rules different?

The photo specifications are the same — 2×2 inches, white background, neutral expression, no glasses. But the rules are more forgiving for infants: babies don't need to have their eyes fully open or look directly at the camera, and no one else (including a parent's hands) may appear in the frame. Children's passports are valid for 5 years rather than 10, and all child applications require both parents' consent and the in-person execution fee.

How the US Compares to Other Countries

Common Mistakes

• Shadow on the background: The most common rejection reason. Stand at least 3 feet from the background and use diffused lighting.
• Wearing glasses at all: Glasses have been banned since November 2016 (medical exception only). Remove them before taking the photo — don't rely on old guides that still allow them.
• Incorrect head size: Your head must fill 50-69% of the frame. Too small or too large and the photo will be rejected.
• Wrong background color: Off-white is accepted, but cream, beige, or grey backgrounds are not.
• Outdated photo: Using a photo older than 6 months, especially if your appearance has changed.