US Passport

US Passport Photo Maker 2x2 Size - complies with official state requirements (2026)

Capture a compliant 2x2 inch US passport photo at home using your smartphone. Upload a selfie to our fully automated online tool, which will process, adjust, and format your photo within 30 seconds to meet all official 2026 US passport photo requirements.

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Key Features:

Online Cropping ToolCrop your uploaded photo to the correct 2x2 inch size for a US passport.

Detailed Photo RequirementsReview continuously updated passport photo requirements before you download.

Step-by-Step TutorialFollow a simple guide for taking a compliant passport photo at home.

Source: official website travel.state.gov

US passport photo example with landmarks

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Photos processed

ICAO 9303COMPLIANT

ICAO 9303 compliant photos

Our photos meet ICAO 9303 (international) requirements for biometric passports and other IDs.

As used for

U.S. applications covered

Digital and print outputs

U.S. Passport2x2 print or digital

Visa DS-160600x600 JPEG upload

Green CardUSCIS-style photos

DV LotteryDiversity Visa entry

Passport Photo Maker: From Selfie to an ID Photo

Create ID or visa photos with our online service. All you need is a smartphone or a laptop — PhotoGov takes care of the rest. Follow these simple steps:

Get photo for: US Passport 2x2 inch

Step 2/4

3. Upload your photo:

Accepted formats: .jpg, .png, .heic, .gif
Maximum file size: 10 MB

Drag and drop photo

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Instructions:

How to take a good photo?

1/7 Image format

Photo must be in color. Taken within the last 6 months.

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PhotoGov is an independent service. We are not affiliated with any government, embassy, or consulate. All information on this website is based on official government requirements and verified primary sources. Final acceptance is determined solely by the issuing authority.

Document photo specs

U.S. passport photo for paper applications

Size

2 x 2 in

Online submission

Print-ready

Head size

1-1.38 in

Background

White/off-white

Resolution

300 dpi print

Printable

Yes

How to Create Your US Passport Photo

Here's how to get your US passport photo for free:

1
Select Country and Document Type:
Choose United States and select the document type you need, such as a US Passport, Visa, or Driving License.
2
Capture and Upload Your Photo:
Take a selfie or pick a photo from your device gallery. Upload it and choose US passport as the required type. Make sure the photo has good lighting.
3
Passport photo maker does the work:
Wait about half a minute while the tool adjusts the photo, crops it, resizes it, and centers it to meet passport requirements.
4
Save it:
Check the final result. If it looks good, download it. You can make more changes if required.

It's easy - just let the AI handle the details to make a US passport photo.

Detailed Requirements for US Passport Photos

For a seamless US passport application process, ensure your photo adheres to these comprehensive guidelines. Our online service is designed to help you create compliant passport photos quickly and effortlessly.

2inch

1.29inch

1.18inch

Layout, size and scale by indentation for the US passport

Size	The ID size photo needs to be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The proper size of your head, from chin to crown, should be between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm).
Background	The background must be plain, off-white, and free of shadows to comply with official passport photo requirements.
Expression	Maintain a neutral expression with both eyes open and mouth closed, essential for biometric identification.
Attire	Wear casual clothing and avoid wearing uniforms or camouflage-colored clothing. Head coverings worn for religious reasons are permitted, but they must not cover the face; other head coverings or eyewear are not permitted, except when medically necessary.
Quality	Ensure the image is high resolution (at least 300 DPI) with proper lighting, avoiding any shadows. High-quality images are crucial for clear identification.
Photo Quality	The photo should be well-focused with no blur or noise, meeting the stringent standards for passport photos.
Resolution	A minimum resolution of 300 DPI is required to ensure clarity. For digital passport pictures, aim for a file size of between 300 KB and 1 MB to make sure it is compatible with online platforms.
File Size	The file size should be between 1 MB and 15 MB to maintain quality without exceeding upload limits.
Format	The photo must be the correct size (2x2 inches) and have a neutral background. This format is standard for US passport photos.
Approval	The photo must meet all US passport requirements for acceptance.
Printable	Yes, the photo should be suitable for high-quality printing.
Online Submission	The photo is optimized for physical submission and not suitable for online submission.
Color	Passport photos must be in color. The image should be a true representation of your natural appearance, including your skin tone and hair color. Avoid using filters, effects, or color enhancements because these may not be accepted by the passport authorities.

How to take a US Passport photo at home with your phone

You do not need a studio or a professional camera. With a phone, a plain wall, and the steps below you can produce a US Passport photo that meets the published United States specification in a few minutes.

Preparation:

A few minutes of setup is the difference between a usable US Passport photo and a retake.

Background: Stand in front of a plain, unbroken wall in the color the document expects (usually white or off-white).
Lighting: Face a window or two evenly placed lamps so there are no harsh shadows under the chin, nose, or behind the head.
Distance: Keep about 1.5 to 2 metres (5 to 7 feet) between you and the camera so your face is not distorted by the lens.
Camera: Use the rear camera for sharper detail and steady it on a tripod or a stack of books.

Positioning:

Posture: Stand upright with shoulders square to the camera and your head facing straight forward.
Expression: Keep a neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open and clearly visible.
Framing: Leave enough room above your head and below your shoulders so the tool can crop precisely to the US Passport layout.

Capture and review:

Take several shots: One blink or one wisp of hair across an eyebrow is enough to fail review — capture five or six frames so you can pick the best one.
Check before uploading: Zoom in on the preview. If the eyes are sharp, the background is even, and there are no shadows, you have a candidate.
Upload: Drop the image into the workspace above. The tool handles the rest — sizing, background, head position, and final crop.

Taking a US Passport photo for babies and kids

Photographing a child for an official document is mostly about patience and lighting. These adjustments make the difference:

Lay the child on their back on a plain, light-coloured sheet. From above this gives you a clean US Passport background with no shadows.
For older babies, use a car seat draped with a white blanket so the head is supported without anyone holding them.
Wait until the child is awake, alert, and calm — eyes open and mouth closed is the goal.
Bring the camera down to the child's level instead of shooting from above, so the face is square to the lens.
Use natural daylight from a window. Avoid flash and avoid mixing tungsten and daylight sources.
Take many photos in burst mode. Children move; you only need one usable frame.

Tools and features

Everything you need to turn a phone selfie into a compliant US Passport photo is built into the workspace above:

Smart crop

The tool detects your face and crops to the exact US Passport frame, including head height and eye line.

Resize and DPI

Outputs are written at the size and resolution the issuing authority expects — pixels, millimetres, and DPI all aligned.

Background cleanup

Cluttered or off-colour backgrounds are replaced with the required plain backdrop, with edge detection that keeps hair natural.

Auto-adjust

Brightness, contrast, and colour are nudged so the photo reads as a real likeness rather than a filter.

How to print a US Passport photo

The workspace gives you both a digital file and a print-ready sheet. Use whichever route fits the submission — most authorities accept both, but check the application form before you decide. The output is produced at 300 DPI so it stays sharp at the required size.

Print at home

Download the print-ready sheet and run it through any colour inkjet on photo paper. The sheet is laid out so you can cut several US Passport prints from a single 4x6 or A4 page.

Order online

Send the digital file to an online print service that ships photo prints. Many high street pharmacies and stationery chains accept uploads through their app or website.

Local print shop

Take the file on a USB drive or email it to a local print shop and ask for a US Passport sized print on photo paper.

Where to get a US Passport photo

If you would rather have a printed photo handed to you, these are the most common places to go in United States:

Pharmacies and drugstores

Large pharmacy chains across United States usually offer photo services and can print a US Passport photo while you wait.

Photo studios

Independent photo studios still take the cleanest source images and can print on calibrated paper, which is useful when an embassy is strict about colour.

Print and copy shops

Office supply and shipping centres often have a self-serve photo terminal where you can upload the digital file and print it the same day.

Big-box retailers

Supermarkets and electronics retailers with in-store photo kiosks can be the cheapest option when you only need one or two prints.

Frequently asked questions

What size does a US Passport photo need to be?

The current requirement is 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm). Our tool outputs the file at that exact size, so you do not have to measure or resize anything yourself.

Can I take a US Passport photo with my phone?

Yes. Almost every modern phone is high-resolution enough. The harder part is lighting and background — follow the at-home steps on this page and you will have a usable shot in a few minutes.

What background colour is accepted?

The background should be white or off-white. The tool replaces any backdrop in your upload with the required colour, with edge detection so hair and shoulders stay natural.

Do I have to smile or keep a neutral expression?

Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open. A faint, closed-mouth smile is usually fine, but a wide smile that shows teeth or closes the eyes is the most common reason a photo is rejected.

Is the photo I download from here accepted for a real US Passport application?

We prepare the file to the published US Passport specification for United States. Final acceptance is decided by the issuing authority — embassy, consulate, or government agency — when they review your application. The tool gives you the closest possible compliant file before you submit.

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