What does travel.state.gov require for a passport photo?

Exactly 2×2 inches (51×51mm), with the head from chin to crown 1 to 1⅜ inches (25-35mm). Plain white or off-white background. JPEG or HEIF at minimum 600×600 pixels for online upload. Taken within the last 6 months. No glasses, no smile, no head covering (except religious).

Where do I print my Snap2Pass US passport photo?

Print the included 4×6 layout at any Walgreens ($0.39), CVS Photo ($0.38), or Walmart ($0.29) — each sheet contains 4 passport photos. Cut along the trim lines. The digital file is also usable for online passport renewal via travel.state.gov.

Is a Snap2Pass photo accepted by the State Department's online passport renewal portal?

Yes. Snap2Pass produces a JPEG/HEIF file conforming to the State Department's digital upload spec (600×600 to 1200×1200 px, 54 KB to 10 MB). 99.8% acceptance rate across 500,000+ photos processed. Money-back guarantee if your photo is rejected.

Do ears need to show in a US passport photo?

No, ears do not need to be visible in a US passport photo. The State Department allows hair to cover your ears. The key requirement is that your full face from hairline to chin must be clearly visible.

Can hair cover my ears in a passport photo?

Yes, your hair can cover your ears in a US passport photo. However, hair cannot cover your eyes, eyebrows, or any part of your face.

What is the US passport photo size?

US passport photos must be exactly 2x2 inches (51x51mm). Your head should measure between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches from chin to top of head.

Can I use AI-edited photos for my US passport?

No. Starting January 2026, the State Department will reject any AI-edited or digitally altered passport photos. Beauty filters, skin smoothing, and appearance alterations are not allowed.

Snap2Pass is an online tool that turns your phone photo into a passport or visa photo in seconds. It removes the background, resizes and crops the image to official specs—no studio visit needed.

Are the passport and visa photos created with Snap2Pass accepted by official agencies?

Yes. Our photos meet official standards—thousands have already been accepted worldwide.

How does Snap2Pass work?

How it works: - Upload your photo. - Our AI erases the background and resizes it. - Download the ready image in under 5 seconds. Retry until you love it—free.

What formats can I receive my passport or visa photo in?

You receive a high-resolution JPEG—perfect for online forms and printing.

What file types are supported, and how can I convert my photo?

Upload JPG or PNG. Need to convert HEIC or WEBP? - Mac: Preview → File → Export → JPG/PNG - Windows: Paint → File → Save As → JPG/PNG - Phone: use "Save As" or any image-converter app - Or a free site like iloveimg.com

What is the AI Expert Review Service?

Our AI analyzes every photo instantly for compliance. If something is wrong, we tell you what to fix. Reviews complete in seconds.

When will I receive my photos and the AI review results?

Download your photo instantly. AI analysis appears immediately with your results.

What happens if the AI Expert Review Service identifies a problem with my photo?

You see the issues instantly on screen and can upload a new shot—free of charge.

How long does it take to get my passport or visa photo with Snap2Pass?

Processing takes under 5 seconds.

Yes. Preview is free—pay only if you're happy.

Do you provide photo prints?

We don't mail prints. If you're in the US, see [this guide](/guides/printing-your-passport-photos-amazon-photo-vs-walgreens) to print locally.

Is it safe to use Snap2Pass?

Yes. We use modern encryption and never share your data.

How do I pay for Snap2Pass services?

Payments go through Stripe. Pay with any major credit or debit card over an encrypted connection.

Is there a money-back guarantee if my passport or visa photo is not accepted by the official agency?

Yes. If an agency rejects the photo, we refund you.

US Passport Photo

Name: US Passport Photo
Brand: Snap2Pass
SKU: us-passport-photo
Price: 9.95 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (4500 reviews)

99.8% Acceptance Rate · Guaranteed

Take a selfie at home. We create a compliant 2×2 inch passport photo with white background and correct head size — ready to submit in under a minute.

Get result in 3s

Before

Digital US Passport photo resized to official size requirements, ready for online application

After

500K+photos processed

166countries supported

99.8%acceptance rate

ICAO 9303compliant

AIvalidated pre-submission

14-daymoney-back guarantee

500K+photos processed

166countries supported

99.8%acceptance rate

ICAO 9303compliant

AIvalidated pre-submission

14-daymoney-back guarantee

Hand holding a phone capturing a passport photo

Done before your coffee

Shoot at home in minutes. No drive, no line.

Caught before rejection

Measured against your country’s exact consulate spec — before you submit.

Rejected? Reshoot free.

Fourteen days of free resubmissions. Refunded if it still fails.

How it works

Four steps, entirely automated. Usually done in under a minute.

1·Snap a selfie
Any phone, any lighting. Front camera works.
2·AI validates it
Face, eyes, framing checked against spec in seconds.
3·Background swapped
Clean, official-compliant backdrop applied automatically.
4·Cropped to size
2×2, 35×45, or whatever your country's spec calls for.

US Passport Photo Check

Instant • Professional • Guaranteed

Instantly verify your photo meets US Passport requirements. Get it right the first time.

25+

Validation Points

99%

Acceptance Rate

Check Categories

Biometric Compliance

Face detection, eye visibility, pose alignment

Technical Quality

Resolution, lighting, focus, contrast

US Passport Standards

Official requirements, compliance guidelines

Validated using US Passport official requirements

Real-time Analysis

Take perfect photos at home

A five-minute setup. Any smartphone will do.

1
Body-camera distance
Position yourself min 16-20 inch from the camera. Ensure your head, neck, and upper shoulders are visible in the frame.
2
Posture: straight ahead
Keep your head straight and centered. Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed, and eyes open.
3
Lighting on both sides of the face
Use natural lighting for even illumination. Avoid shadows and ensure all facial features are clearly visible.

Print your US Passport Photo same day

Walgreens, CVS & Walmart · under $1 for 4 photos

Walgreens Photo

Same-day printing guide

→

CVS Photo

Same-day printing guide

→

How to Print Your Photo

Download your digital photo

After checkout, download the print-ready file to your phone or computer

Visit CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart photo center

Use their app or in-store kiosk to upload your photo

Print as 4x6 photo

Your file includes 4 passport-size photos on one 4x6 print

Print ready in 1 hour • No appointment needed

US Passport specifications

Official requirements · compliant standards

Size

2 x 2 inches

Resolution

600 dpi

Position

Head covers 65% of the photo

Background Color

#ffffff

Digital File Size

54–240 KB (JPEG)

Not Permitted

Hats and caps (except religious), Sunglasses, Heavy makeup, Eye glasses

Official Site Link

travel.state.gov

Passport photo requirements to create photo online

Official Standards

Last update: 5/20/2026

Written by

Sandra

Expert verified

US passport photo: 2026 AI-editing ban

The State Department's grace period for non-compliant photos ended December 31, 2025. From January 2026, AI-edited, beauty-filtered, or digitally altered photos are rejected on sight — including portrait-mode background blur, skin smoothing, and any background replacement that changes your actual appearance.

Validation tools (which only check compliance) are still fine. The line is altering your face vs. resizing and cropping.

Ears and hair

Ears do not need to be visible — hair can cover them. But hair must not cover your eyes, eyebrows, or any other part of your face. Pin bangs back if they reach the eyebrows.

Online passport renewal: digital file rules

Format: JPEG or HEIF
Pixels: 600 x 600 (min) to 1200 x 1200 (max), square
File size: 54 KB to 10 MB
No glasses since November 2016 — no medical exception accepted without a signed doctor's statement

Recency: within the last 6 months. The 30-day window applies to USCIS filings, not passport applications.

Related Guides

Guide
2026 US Passport Photo Rules: Size, AI Ban & Baby Photos
2/14/2026 • 7 min read
Guide
Best Passport Photo Apps 2026: 7 Tested & Ranked
2/14/2026 • 7 min read
Guide
Print Passport Photos at Staples: Cost, Process & DIY Alternative (2026)
2/14/2026 • 5 min read
Guide
Perfect Passport Photo Lighting Setup at Home
1/15/2025 • 1 min read
Guide
Passport Photo Hair Rules: What Gets Accepted & Rejected (2026)
12/3/2024 • 2 min read
Guide
CVS Passport Photo Price 2026: $16.99 — or Print for $0.38
7/14/2024 • 4 min read
Guide
How to Take the Perfect Passport or Visa Photo at Home
5/21/2024 • 2 min read
Guide
Walgreens Charges $16.99 — Print the Same Passport Photo for $0.39 (How)
4/13/2024 • 4 min read
Guide
Perfect Passport Photo at Home with Your Smartphone
1/27/2023 • 2 min read

US Passport Photo — what US Department of State requires

Submit to

US Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs

Official portal →

Government fee

USD 165

Adult passport book fee ($130 application + $35 execution); photo not included.

Processing time

4–6 weeks routine; 2–3 weeks expedited ($60 extra)

Common rejection reasons at US Department of State

⚠Glasses (rejected unconditionally since November 2016) — even prescription frames; medical exception requires a signed doctor letter
⚠AI-edited or beauty-filtered photo (rejected on sight since January 2026) — includes portrait-mode blur, skin smoothing, and any face-altering app filter
⚠Background not pure white or off-white — cream, light grey, and patterned backgrounds rejected
⚠Head size out of 50-69% range — too small (selfie from arm's length) or too large (camera too close)

Common questions, answered

Everything you need to know before you upload. Tap any question to expand.

Supported documents, worldwide

Every country · current 2025 regulations · ICAO compliant

40 studio headshots from one selfie

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