US passport · 2026 rules
US passport photos in 2026 must be an unaltered original
In 2026, a US passport photo must still be a true likeness of you.
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In 2026, a US passport photo must still be a true likeness of you. PicsForm does not replace the background or edit the face for US passport, US visa (DS-160), or Green Card photos. We only resize to the official pixel size. This page is a catalog mapping of published guidance — not a government certification.
Example compliant crops
Illustrative samples — not real applicants.
What changed for 2026
US authorities have tightened language against digitally altered identity photos.
More details
US authorities have tightened language against digitally altered identity photos. A photo that looks “studio perfect” because the background was generated or the face was beauty-filtered can be refused even when the crop is 2×2 inches.
PicsForm therefore treats US passport, US visa (DS-160), and Green Card photos as original-only: format and resize only. We will not sell a digitally composited backdrop for those documents.
What PicsForm will do
- Resize the file to 2×2 in (51×51 mm), typically 600×600 px at 300 DPI
- Check head height, eye line, expression, and a plain white or off-white wall
- Show Ready / Review / Retake against the catalog mapping
- Block checkout if a leftover official-geometry error remains — including at $0
What PicsForm will not do
- Replace a busy room with a generated white studio backdrop
- Reshape, smooth, or beauty-filter the face
- Remove glasses, hats, or other objects with generative fill
- Claim the photo is government-approved or embassy-accepted
How to take the photo
Stand about 1.5–2 metres from a phone on a shelf, camera at eye height, against a plain white or off-white wall.
More details
Stand about 1.5–2 metres from a phone on a shelf, camera at eye height, against a plain white or off-white wall. Use even front light. Include hair, both ears if visible, and the upper shoulders. If the wall is not plain, retake — do not ask software to invent a backdrop for a US passport.
Official specifications
| Document | US Passport |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions (mm) | 51 × 51 |
| Pixels @ DPI | 600 × 600 @ 300 |
| Head height | 50–69% |
| Eye line from bottom | 56–69% |
| Background | white |
| Official source | View official guidance |
| Last verified | 2026-08-18 |
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an AI passport photo for a US passport in 2026?
No. Use an unaltered original. PicsForm will not generate or beauty-filter a US passport face. We only resize to official pixels.
Can PicsForm change my background to white for a US passport?
No. For US passport, US visa, and Green Card we disable background replacement. Stand in front of a real plain light wall and retake if needed.
What size is a US passport photo?
2×2 inches (51×51 mm), typically 600×600 pixels. See the official-size record at /requirements/us/passport.
PicsForm maps published photo rules. It does not speak for the Department of State, USCIS, or any embassy. Confirm the live official page before you file.