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US Passport Photo Checker
Photo rules for United States passport applications depend on the issuing authority and application type. A mismatched size, background or framing can require a new photo.
Upload your photo above to review the checks available in ImageGates. A passing result is guidance, not an official approval.
The United States requires a square 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) photo for both passports and visas, administered by the U.S. Department of State. Photos must be taken within the last 6 months and show a full frontal view of the face. The U.S. accepts only white backgrounds and does not allow glasses in passport photos since November 2016. Digital submissions through the DS-160 form require JPEG format between 600×600 and 1200×1200 pixels.
Official United States passport photo rules we check
- Required size: 51×51 mm (602×602 px at 300 DPI)
- Required background: White
- Issuing authority: U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Consular Affairs)
- Print dimensions: 51×51 mm (2.01×2.01 inches)
- Digital size: 602×602 px at 300 DPI
- Background: White
Common United States passport rejection reasons
- United States-specific: Submitting a 35×45 mm European-style print instead of the U.S. 2×2 inch square.
- United States-specific: Wearing prescription glasses — accepted everywhere else, banned in the U.S.
- United States-specific: Uploading a JPEG larger than 240 KB to the DS-160 portal.
- Aspect ratio drifted from 51:51 after a careless crop
- Soft focus or motion blur from a handheld phone shot in low light
- Background that looked white to your eye but reads as cream or grey to a calibrated scanner
How to pass the checker
Crop precisely to 51×51 mm
Use our free image cropper to pull the exact 51:51 ratio. Position your eyes near the upper third of the frame and leave roughly 5 mm of headroom above the hair — the proportions U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Consular Affairs) expects.
Re-shoot in flat, even lighting
Stand 1.5 m from a plain wall matching the required white background. Use two soft light sources (or window light through a thin curtain) on either side of your face to eliminate the shadow that triggers most United States rejections.
Replace the background if it's the wrong colour
If our checker flags the background, compare it with the selected specification (white). The background remover can help prepare another preview; confirm that edited photos are accepted by the authority.
Verify face coverage with the checker
Re-upload the corrected photo and compare the framing with the selected application's guidance. Requirements for head position can vary by application.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I wear glasses in a U.S. passport photo?
No. Since November 1, 2016, the U.S. State Department prohibits glasses in passport photos with very narrow medical exceptions that require a signed doctor's note. Remove all eyewear before taking the picture.
Where do I submit my U.S. passport photo?
First-time adult applicants submit Form DS-11 with a printed 2×2 inch photo at any USPS Passport Acceptance Facility. Renewals (Form DS-82) can be mailed in or, for eligible adults, completed online with a digital upload.
How accurate is this United States passport photo checker?
Our checker reviews dimensions, aspect ratio, background, sharpness and face positioning with on-device detection where available. It cannot duplicate U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Consular Affairs)'s review or guarantee acceptance. Always check the official instructions for your application.
Does ImageGates upload my photo to a server?
No — every check runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. Your photo never leaves your device. That is unique among most online checkers and is why the tool also works offline once loaded.
What file formats does the checker accept for United States photos?
The checker accepts JPG, JPEG, PNG and WebP up to 20 MB. Check U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Consular Affairs)'s instructions for the file formats accepted by your specific application.