US passport photo requirements (2×2 inch)

Educational summary for travelers and applicants; not legal advice. Compare every detail with the issuing authority’s current checklist before you submit.

This guide matches the preset used in our generator for United States passport applications. Rules are summarized for education only—always verify the current checklist on the official US Department of State website before you submit. The My New ID Photo preset for this document is 51×51 mm, matching the dimensions in our built-in specification table.

Print size, pixels, and sharpness

The photograph must be a square measuring 2 × 2 inches (about 51 × 51 mm). For online uploads, portals often expect a digital file derived from that physical size—commonly 300 DPI (roughly 600 × 600 pixels), but minimum and maximum pixel dimensions and file size vary by system. Export a high-quality JPEG, avoid heavy compression, and keep the subject sharp with no motion blur.

Pose, expression, and clothing

Face the camera directly with a neutral expression or a natural smile. Both eyes should be open. Glasses are generally not allowed for new US passport photos unless you have a documented medical exception—plan to remove them. Do not wear uniforms or camouflage (except daily religious attire). Head coverings for religious or medical reasons are allowed if they do not obscure your face or cast shadows.

Background and lighting

Use a plain white or off-white background without texture, patterns, or shadows behind your head. Light your face evenly from the front or both sides so there are no harsh shadows on the face or background. A wall facing a large window with you looking toward the light often works well. Our tool can replace busy backgrounds, but starting with clean lighting reduces rejection risk.

Making this photo in My New ID Photo

In My New ID Photo, choose United States and Passport. The canvas uses a 51×51 mm square (2×2 inch)—the same aspect ratio as our preset. Align your eyes on the horizontal guide and keep the full head from chin to crown inside the frame. Use Enhance only for light exposure correction; avoid beauty filters. Export a high-quality JPEG or PNG at the DPI your upload portal specifies (300 DPI is common for printing a true 2×2 inch image).

Official sources

The following links point to official or primary sources we use to summarize size, composition, and quality rules. Third-party pages are listed only when they reproduce the same standards (for example ICAO). Always read the latest version on the authority’s site before you submit an application.

Disclaimer: Requirements change. Verify dimensions, file format, and expression rules on the official source linked from your application portal before submission.

Open the generator, browse all country guides, or read the general requirements overview.