US Passport Photo

2 × 2 in photo for new passports, renewals and passport cards.

  • Size 2 × 2 in
  • Digital 600 × 600 px
  • Background White

Take a photo

Starting your camera…

Face a window or lamp, look straight into the camera and fit your head inside the oval. Any background works.

Made to official requirements

Your photo is sized and checked against the official U.S. Department of State photo rules: dimensions, head size and position, background, pose and lighting.

We're here to help

Questions, or something not right with your photo? Email support@boothshark.com and a real person will help you sort it out.

US Passport Photo requirements

  • Size 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm)
  • Head height from chin to top of hair: 1 – 1⅜ in (25 – 35 mm)
  • Eyes 1⅛ – 1⅜ in (28 – 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo
  • Plain white or off-white background, no shadows
  • Neutral expression or natural smile, both eyes open
  • No glasses, unless you include a signed medical statement
  • In color and taken within the last 6 months
  • Online renewal: JPEG, 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px, 54 KB – 10 MB

Tips for a good photo

  • Stand about 50 cm (1.5 ft) in front of a plain, light wall and face a window for soft, even light.
  • Ask someone to take the photo from about 1.2 m (4 ft) away with the phone at your eye level. Selfies distort the face.
  • Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
  • Take off glasses, hats, headphones and anything that covers your face or hairline.
  • Keep your shoulders in the frame. We crop the photo for you.

Questions about the US Passport photo

Can I use the digital file for online passport renewal?

Yes. The digital file is a 600 × 600 px JPEG between 54 KB and 10 MB, which matches the online renewal requirements.

Where can I print it?

Print the 4×6 in sheet at 100% scale at any pharmacy or photo kiosk, or on glossy or matte photo paper at home. Cut out one photo along the guides.

How does it work?

Upload a photo from your phone or computer. We find your face, remove the background, crop and resize the photo to the official size, and check it against the most common rejection reasons. You see a preview before you pay.

What do I get?

A digital file in the exact size required for online applications, and a 4×6 in (10×15 cm) print sheet you can print at any pharmacy, photo kiosk or at home.

Is my photo guaranteed to be accepted?

Our automated checks catch the most common problems, such as wrong size, background, head position and closed eyes. The final decision is always made by the issuing agency.

What happens to my photo?

Photos are processed on our servers, with background removal by our provider Photoroom, and deleted automatically: unpaid photos within 24 hours, purchased photos 7 days after purchase. We never use them for anything else.

Which file types can I upload?

JPEG, PNG, WebP and HEIC/HEIF (the default iPhone format), up to 20 MB.