United States · passport
US passport photo, checked against the official spec
The US passport photo is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) with your head measuring 50–69% of the frame height against a plain white or off-white background, no glasses, taken in the last 6 months.
- Size
- 50.8×50.8 mm
- Digital file
- 600×600 px JPEG
- Background
- white or off-white
- Head height
- 50–69%
- Price
- $5.99 · once
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Step 1/3
Popular: · ·
- Head size62.4% · 50–69%
- Eye line61.2% · 56–69%
- Backgroundwhite · σ 6
- Lightingeven
- Resolution1832px
MEETS SPEC — ESTIMATED
Checked against the official specification — source cited on every document.
How it works
01
Choose your document
58 documents across 29 destinations, each with the official specification built in.
02
Add your photo
Ten checks measure it live on your device — nothing is uploaded.
03
Pay once, download everything
Exact-spec file, print sheet and compliance report. One price, no subscription.
What is a US Passport photo?
A US passport photo is a 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) colour photograph taken within the last six months, printed on matte or glossy photo paper, or submitted digitally as a square image of at least 600×600 pixels. The head must measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown — 50–69% of the frame — against a plain white or off-white background.
The same photo standard covers passport books, passport cards and passport renewals via Form DS-82. Since 2026, the State Department explicitly rejects photos that have been digitally altered — background replacement, skin smoothing, AI enhancement — which is why PassportClerk measures your photo instead of editing it.
Upload a photo and this page checks those requirements live in your browser — head size, eye position, background, lighting, resolution — before you pay anything. The State Department explicitly rejects AI-altered photos (8 FAM 402.1), so we validate your photo and never retouch it.
US Passport photo requirements
| Size | 50.8×50.8 mm · 600×600 px @300 DPI |
|---|---|
| Digital file | 600×600px JPEG |
| Background | white or off-white |
| Head height | 50–69% of frame height |
| Digital upload | accepted |
| Background editing | not permitted — we keep you compliant by not touching it |
- Glasses are not allowed.
- The State Department rejects AI-altered photos (8 FAM 402.1) — we check your photo, we never modify it.
- 600×600 px is the minimum for digital submission.
Source: official requirements · verified 2026-07
What you get for $5.99
- High-resolution file in the exact spec (600×600px)
- Compliance report — everything we measured, printable
- Print-ready 10×15 cm sheet with 4 copies and cut lines
one-time payment — no subscription
Photos that pass
- Exact dimensions — 600×600px
- Plain white or off-white background, evenly lit
- Head filling 50–69% of the frame
- Taken in the last 6 months, neutral expression
Photos that get rejected
- Edited, filtered or AI-retouched photos
- Shadows on the face or background
- Busy walls, gradients or the wrong background colour
- Head too large, too small, or off-centre
- Glasses — banned for this document
- Old photos, or photos of printed photos
Why PassportClerk
Private by architecture
The free check runs on your device, and paid photos are deleted after 48 hours.
Measured, not guessed
Ten checks against the official specification — with the numbers shown, not a vague thumbs-up.
Exact files, first time
Correct pixels, DPI and file size for the portal, plus a print-ready sheet.
Fair by default
One price, no subscription. Wrong files? We fix them or refund you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No. Since 2016 glasses are not allowed in US passport photos, except with a signed medical statement. Take them off for the photo.
What size is a US passport photo in pixels?
For online submission the photo must be square, at least 600×600 pixels. The print size is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). Our download is 600×600 px at 300 DPI, which is exactly 2×2 inches when printed.
Can I use an AI tool to fix my passport photo background?
The State Department rejects photos that have been digitally altered — including background replacement, skin smoothing and filters. That's why this tool checks your photo instead of editing it. If your background doesn't pass, retake the photo in front of a plain wall.
Where can I print the photo?
Your purchase includes a 4×6 inch print sheet with cut lines. Print it at any pharmacy or photo kiosk for around $0.30 — ask for a standard 4×6 photo print at 100% scale.
Does a baby need a passport photo with the same rules?
Infants need their own photo with the same size rules, but eyes-open and expression rules are relaxed for children under 6. Lay the baby on a plain white sheet and photograph from above.
Compliance, honestly
- We validate your photo against the official rules — we never retouch your face, and we only normalize the background where the destination country permits it.
- Every requirement is cited from official government sources, with the verification date shown on the page.
- You get a measured report, not a guarantee — final acceptance always rests with the issuing authority.
official requirements · verified 2026-07