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Photo requirements

Official photo sizes by country and document

Every document below is a crawlable HTML page with millimetres, pixels, background, the issuing authority, and the date we last opened the official source. The picker is a shortcut — search engines can follow the directory.

Size chartCompare documentsCatalog updates

🇺🇸 United States

North America

Last verified Aug 18, 2026🇺🇸 United States

US Passport

51×51 mm · 600×600 px

Create this photoCanonical requirements pageFull requirements page →
Head size
50–69%
1.00–1.38 in (25.5–35.2 mm) of a 2.00 in tall photo
Eye line
56–69%
Background
white
Updated
2026-08-18

Visual guide · US Passport

What this photo should look like

Real example photos for US Passport, based on U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov).

Last verified Aug 18, 2026🇺🇸 United StatesOfficial source ↗
7 not allowed5 with care1 allowed
Preferred passport-style portraitPreferred

Aim for this look

Face the camera, both eyes open, mouth closed (or a soft closed-mouth smile), even light, no glasses or fashion hats, everyday clothes. Keep your natural face — no beauty filters.

Official guidance ↗

Face size on the photo — strictly enforced

Chin to crown must measure 1.00–1.38 in (25.5–35.2 mm) on the 2.00 in tall photo

US Passport accepts a head height of 50–69% of the photo height. PicsForm measures your photo and blocks checkout if the face falls outside this band, so the print matches the official spec.

Not allowed

No glassesDo
Wearing prescription glassesDon't

Prescription glasses

Not allowed

Remove glasses before the photo (medical exceptions need documentation).

Eyes clearly visibleDo
Sunglasses covering eyesDon't

Sunglasses / tinted lenses

Not allowed

Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not accepted.

Bare head / no fashion hatDo
Cap or fashion hatDon't

Caps / fashion hats

Not allowed

Remove caps, beanies, and fashion hats.

No headphonesDo
Headphones or earbudsDon't

Headphones / earbuds

Not allowed

Remove headphones, earbuds, and wireless earpieces.

Natural unedited faceDo
Beauty filter / altered faceDon't

Beauty filters / AI face edits

Not allowed

Submit an unedited photo — no beauty filters or face-altering edits.

Even front lightingDo
Harsh shadow on the faceDon't

Shadows on face / background

Not allowed

Use even front lighting — no shadows on the face or backdrop.

Everyday clothingDo
Costume / non-everyday headwear lookDon't

Uniforms / camouflage

Not allowed

Wear everyday clothing — no uniforms or camouflage.

OK with care

Neutral closed-mouth expressionDo
Toothy smile — often rejectedDon't

Smile / expression

OK with care

Neutral face or a natural closed-mouth smile — no teeth showing.

Show 5 more rules
Subtle jewellery that does not hide the faceDo
Look-changing edits or face-hiding accessoriesDon't

Jewellery / piercings

OK with care

OK if they do not hide the face or create glare/shadows.

Religious covering with full face visibleDo
Fashion headwearDon't

Religious / medical head covering

OK with care

Allowed if worn daily for religion/medical reasons and the full face stays visible.

Hair clear of the eyesDo
Accessories that hide the faceDon't

Hair bands / clips / bows

OK with care

OK if they do not cover the face, eyes, or cast heavy shadows.

Both eyes open and visibleDo
Eyes hiddenDon't

Eyes open

OK with care

Both eyes must be open and clearly visible.

Ears clear when the document requires themDo
Ears covered by headphones or similarDon't

Ears visible

Allowed

Ears do not need to be visible — hair may cover them if the face oval is clear.

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