Make U.S. Passport / Visa Photo Online

How idPhotoDIY works

Step 1: Take passport photo using smart phone or digital camera.

  • Take the photo in front of a plain background such as white wall or screen.
  • Make sure that there are no other objects in the background.
  • Make sure there are no shadows on your face or on the background.
  • Position the camera in the same height as the head.
  • Shoulders should be visible, and there should be enough space around the head for cropping the photo.

Step 2: Upload the photo to make passport size photo.

Upload photo to make United States visa photo

Click here if you want to make passport / visa photos for other countries.

Passport Photo Size and Requirements

  • Your head must face the camera directly with full face in view.
  • You must have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.
  • Taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis
  • Taken in the last 6 months
  • Use a plain white or off-white background
  • Be sized correctly
    • 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
    • Head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
  • Printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper
  • Printed in color
  • You cannot wear glasses.
    • If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with application.
  • You cannot wear a hat or head covering.
    • If you wear a hat or head covering for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering in your photo is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that is customarily or required to be worn continuously in public.
    • If you wear a hat or head covering for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor's statement verifying the hat or head covering in your photo is used daily for medical purposes.
    • Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face.
  • You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices.

Example Photos

U.S. passport photo U.S. passport photo U.S. passport photo U.S. passport photo U.S. passport photo U.S. passport photo U.S. passport photo U.S. passport photo U.S. passport photo U.S. passport photo

Example Photos for Children

 U.S. passport photo U.S. passport photo U.S. passport photo 

Other Passport / Visa Photo Rules, Guidelines, and Specifications

Can I wear glasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses in my passport photo?
No, take them off for your passport photo.

If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, you must submit a signed statement from your doctor with your passport application.

What pose should I be in for my photo?
Face the camera with your head centered in the frame and not tilted with a neutral expression or natural smile.

Can I wear a hat or head covering in my photo?
You may wear a hat or head covering, but you must submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that is customarily or required to be worn continuously in public or a signed doctor's statement verifying the item is used daily for medical purposes.

Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face.

Can I wear a uniform in my photo?
You cannot wear a uniform, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage attire.

Can I remove red-eye from my photo?
Yes, you may remove red-eye. However, other digital alterations or editing is not allowed.

Can I smile in my passport photo?
Yes, but it must be a natural, unexaggerated smile.

What's the best way to take a photo of a baby or toddler?
When taking a photo of your baby or toddler, no other person should be in the photo.

Lay your baby on his or her back on a plain white or off-white sheet. Make certain there are no shadows on your baby's face, especially if you take a picture from above. Covering a car seat with a plain white or off-white sheet and taking a picture of your child in the car seat may also be helpful.

Is it acceptable for my child's eye to be closed in his or her photo?
It is acceptable if an infant's eyes are not open or entirely open. All other children must have their eyes open.

Do I need a new photo if my appearance has changed (grown a beard, dyed my hair)?
Only if your appearance has significantly changed from what is in your current passport. Growing a beard or coloring your hair would not constitute a significant change. If you can still be identified from the photo in your current passport, you do not need to apply for a new passport.

You may have to apply for a new passport if you have:

  • Undergone significant facial surgery or trauma
  • Added or removed numerous/large facial piercings or tattoos
  • Undergone a significant amount of weight loss or gain
  • Made a gender transition

If the appearance of your child under the age of 16 has changed due to the normal aging process, you do not need to apply for a new passport for him or her.

References

How to make U.S. Passport / Visa photo at home


Step 1: Use a digital camera or a smartphone

Find someone to take the photo for you and selfie photo is not acceptable for passport photo application. If you have a tripod, use it. A tripod will make it easier to keep the camera steady and level. The distance of the person to the camera should be around 1 meter.

Step 2: Find a venue with good lighting

When taking photo, you should face the light, such as a nice bright window or the door. This can provide even lighting to avoid shadows on the face and background. The face must be evenly lit. There should be no shadows and glares on the face.

Note: No need to worry about the background as our online passport photo generator will automatically remove or change the background for you.

unacceptable passport photo

Step 3: Wear properly for your passport photo

Do not wear uniforms. Wear regular street clothes in your photo.

Do not wear eyeglasses. If you wear glasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses, take them off for your passport photo.

Your face must still be fully visible.  Don’t let your hair drape over your face and obscure your eyes. If you have very long bangs that cover your eyebrows, you should pin them back with bobby pins. It’s best if your ears show, as well, but that won’t cause your photo to be rejected.

No hats are allowed in passport photos unless it is religious headgear such as a headscarf or yarmulke that you wear every day.

acceptable passport photo

Step 4: Pose for a passport

Look straight towards the camera with face straight on. Head should not be tilted or rotated.

Both ears showing or both edges of the face visible if hair covers the ears.

Shoulders should be visible, and there should be enough space around the head for cropping the photo.

Position the camera in the same height as the head.

unacceptable passport photo

unacceptable passport photo

Step 5: Have a neutral facial expression

You can smile in your passport photos, but the government prefers that you have a neutral facial expression.

Smiling or having your mouth open is usually not acceptable, especially under the new international passport rules.

acceptable passport photo

Unacceptable passport photo

 

Good and bad examples of passport photos

Example of passport photos

Printed passport photos

Online Passport Photo Generator

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