Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?

No, unless you have a signed medical statement from a doctor. Even then, frames must not cover your eyes and there must be no glare or tinted lenses.

How recent does my US passport photo need to be?

It must be taken within six months of submitting your application. The goal is to match how you currently look, so major appearance changes mean you should retake the photo.

What file size works for the online State Department upload?

The exact limit depends on the form, but a high-quality JPEG under the stated maximum is best. The portal recompresses the file, so starting at the upper limit can push it over.

US passport photo requirements (2×2 inch)

Last reviewed July 19, 2026 by the My New ID Photo editorial team. Rules change—confirm details with the issuing authority before you apply.

Written and reviewed by the My New ID Photo editorial team.

Practical notes for applicants and travelers. This is not legal advice—compare every requirement with the official checklist linked below.

If you are applying for or renewing a US passport, the State Department expects a recent 2×2 inch color photo—not a cropped vacation snapshot from years ago. We wrote this for applicants who want the technical rules in plain language before they print at a pharmacy kiosk or use our online crop tool. Always confirm the current checklist on travel.state.gov before you submit.

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.

Common rejection and upload quirks

The State Department’s online passport photo tool recompresses uploaded JPEGs before a human reviews them. If your export is already at the maximum file size, the portal can push it over the limit or soften fine details. Aim for a high-quality JPEG that is still under the stated cap—usually well under 10 MB, with many forms preferring a smaller range. The printed 2×2 inch must be a square, not a rectangle; retail kiosk machines sometimes stretch the image to fit their roll width, so measure the output with a ruler. Head height must be between 1 and 1.375 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown. Glasses are no longer accepted without a medical exception, and even subtle reflections or red-eye can trigger a rejection. Photos must be taken within six months of application, so a haircut, beard change, or significant weight change means retaking.

Printing and submission tips

For home printing, set your printer to 100% scale and use a 4×6 inch photo paper sheet with a 2×2 inch wallet layout. If you print a single 2×2 image on letter paper, the printer may resize it to fit margins. Retail kiosks at CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart accept a 600×600 pixel JPEG, but always choose the exact passport option and refuse any automatic fit or center cropping. Both glossy and matte finishes are acceptable for US passports; what matters is that the image is sharp and the background is plain white or off-white. Keep one digital master file labeled clearly so you can reprint without re-editing.

How our tools handle tricky backgrounds

If your wall is busy or your hair is backlit, our in-house neural background removal can separate you from the background and recomposite you on white or off-white. For edges that still look artificial, the Edge Refine brush in the Enhance step lets you locally correct the matte. See the background removal guide and edge refinement guide for the full pipeline.

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).

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?: No, unless you have a signed medical statement from a doctor. Even then, frames must not cover your eyes and there must be no glare or tinted lenses.
How recent does my US passport photo need to be?: It must be taken within six months of submitting your application. The goal is to match how you currently look, so major appearance changes mean you should retake the photo.
What file size works for the online State Department upload?: The exact limit depends on the form, but a high-quality JPEG under the stated maximum is best. The portal recompresses the file, so starting at the upper limit can push it over.

Official sources

We link to primary sources where possible. Embassy pages, PDF checklists, and ICAO references are listed so you can read the wording yourself—not rely on a summary alone.

Related guides for this country

Reminder: Embassies and motor vehicle offices update photo rules without notice. Re-read the official page on the day you submit.

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