Photo Requirements for US Passports

Please note that applicants for a US passport have to submit two identical photos.

The following minimum requirements must be met or your application will not be processed.

1. The photographs must not be older than six months.
2. The photographs must measure 5 cm x 5 cm.
3. The photographs of the applicant’s head must be between 2.5 cm and 3.5 cm when measured vertically.
4. The photographs must have a white background.
5. The applicant must face the camera directly, with both ears visible.

Photo Quality

1. Brightness, Contrast and Color
   • Brightness and contrast should be adjusted to present the subject and background accurately
   • Photos without proper contrast or color may obscure unique facial features
   • Color should reproduce natural skin tones
   • Fluorescent or other lighting with unbalanced color may cause unwanted color cast in the photo
   • Appropriate filters can eliminate improper color balance

2. Head Position and Background
   • Head should be positioned directly facing the camera
   • Photo should capture from slightly above top of hair to middle of chest
   • Eyes should be open and looking at the camera
   • Eyeglasses should be worn if normally used by the subject
   • Glare on eyeglasses can usually be avoided with a slight upward or downward tilt of the head
   • Background should be plain white or off-white
   • Include headpieces if worn daily for religious purposes; they should not obscure or cast shadows on the eyes or any other part of the face

3. Exposure and Lighting
   • Over-exposure or under-exposure may render the photo unusable
   • Three-point balanced lighting is strongly recommended (see Figure 1)
   • Facial features should be clearly evident in the photo
   • Lighting should be adjusted to avoid shadows on the face or background
   • Diffuse sources of light , such as umbrella lights, are preferable to point sources

4. Resolution and Printing Quality
   • High- resolution photography and printing are strongly recommended
   • Both conventional and digital photography are acceptable, and conventional or digital printing methods may be used
   • Resulting print should exhibit a continuous-tone quality regardless of the print method used (dye sublimation, ink jet, laser, etc.)
   • Digitally printed photos should be produced without visible pixels or dot patterns
   • Fine facial features should be discernible
   • The entire face should be in focus

The photograph of each passport or visa applicant must be an unmounted full face photo, taken within the past six months. A full face photo is one in which the applicant is facing the camera directly. The applicant should not be looking down or to either side, and the face should cover about 50 percent of the area of the photo. Although variations in hair styles and in head coverings (see discussion below) make it difficult to rigorously define the term face, in general, the head of the applicant, including both face and hair, should be shown from crown of the head to tip of chin on top and bottom and from hair line side-to-side. It is preferable that ears be exposed. The key requirement is that the photograph clearly identify the applicant.

The photograph should measure 2 inches square (roughly 50 mm square) with the head centered in the frame. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm) with the eye level between 1 1/8 inch to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. Photos may be either in color or black and white and must be taken against a white background. Photos should be printed without borders. Photos should be stapled or glued to Form DS-82 or DS11, Application for US passport, or respectively Form DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa Application. If the photograph is stapled, the staples should be placed as far away as possible from the applicant's face. Photos taken in front of busy, patterned, or dark backgrounds will not be accepted.

Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and even then, may not obscure any portion of the face of the applicant. Sunglasses or other accessories detracting from the face as defined above are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons (an eye patch, for example). A photograph depicting a person wearing a traditional facemask or veil that does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable. Photos of military, airline or other personnel wearing hats are not acceptable. Photographs of applicants wearing tribal, national costume or other headgear not specifically religious in nature are not acceptable. Visa Applicants: Since a separate visa is issued to each qualified applicant, an individual photo is required in all cases. Group photos are not acceptable.