The photo must show the image of the passport applicant only. No other individuals or objects can appear in the photo submitted with your application. The State Department won't accept a photo in which a child is accompanied by an adult. The State Department requires that the photo be taken within six months of submitting the application. The photo also must be an original. Photos used for other documents, such as a driver's license, won't be accepted. The State Department also requests that you send two copies of the photo with the application.
The State Department provides details for taking your own passport photo or ensuring that a passport photo retailer produces an acceptable image. The photo must be exactly 2 inches by 2 inches. The size of your head in the photo must be 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches from your crown to the bottom of your chin. The color photo must be in-focus and should be taken in front of a plain white or off-white background. The photo must be printed on photo quality paper. A photo from a vending machine won't be accepted, according to the U.S. State Department website.
The photo must be taken in regular street clothing or religious attire that you wear daily. The State Department won't accept a photo in which a person wears a uniform. Prescription glasses and hearing aids are allowed in the photo if they are part of your daily accessories. The State Department won't accept a photo in which you wear a hat or headgear that obscures your hair or hairline. A photo in which someone wears dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses won't be accepted unless the person needs them for medical reasons.
Your entire face must be centered in the photo and show you with both eyes open looking directly ahead. The State Department website features examples of acceptable passport photos. The State Department won't accept profile shots, a photo in which the person squints or one in which a person displays a facial expression that doesn't appear natural.
