US Passport Card Photo in the UK
51 × 51 mm · white background · U.S. Department of State
£6.99 digital file
Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy
Rules last checked against U.S. Department of State on 12 October 2026.
About this photo
The US Passport Card photo accepted by the U.S. Department of State is a 51 by 51 mm portrait. If you apply online (Online passport renewal (opr.travel.state.gov)), the file must be as a JPEG, no larger than 10 MB. Use a plain white or off-white background with nothing behind you and no shadow on the wall. Plain white or off-white background free of shadows, textures or objects. Frame it so the head takes 25 to 35 mm of the 51 mm height. You can take it at home on a phone: have someone stand a couple of metres away at eye level rather than holding the phone yourself. The US Passport Card photo comes back sized, with a clean background and a head-size check, before you are asked to pay.
Photo requirements
| Photo size | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Digital file | JPEG, up to 9.5 MB, for Online passport renewal (opr.travel.state.gov) |
| Background | white, also accepted: off-white |
| Head size | 50–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair) |
| Expression | Natural smile allowed |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Head coverings | Allowed for religious or medical reasons. Religious or medical only, with a signed statement; full face visible, one colour, no patterns. |
| Head position | Facing the camera, tilted no more than 10° |
| Other rules | Taken in the last 6 months; Plain white or off-white background free of shadows, textures or objects; Face the camera directly, head not tilted, eyes open, mouth closed; No uniforms, camouflage, headphones or wireless devices; Original, unedited photo without filters |
Do
Don't
How it works
1. Take or upload a photo
Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.
2. We size and check it
We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.
3. Download and use it
Pay once, then download the digital file and the print sheet straight away.
If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.
Questions about US Passport Card photos
What size is a US Passport Card photo?
US Passport Card photos are 51 × 51 mm. The head should fill 50–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).
What background does a US Passport Card photo need?
A plain white background (off-white is also accepted), with no shadows, patterns or objects. We replace the background for you, but a plain wall gives the cleanest edges around your hair.
Can I wear glasses in a US Passport Card photo?
No. Glasses are not allowed in US Passport Card photos. Remove all eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses, unless a signed doctor's note explains a medical reason.
Can I smile in a US Passport Card photo?
A natural smile is allowed, as long as your eyes are open and your face is clearly visible.
Can I wear a head covering?
Allowed for religious or medical reasons. Religious or medical only, with a signed statement; full face visible, one colour, no patterns.
Can I take a US Passport Card photo at home?
Usually, yes, as long as it meets the rules above. Check the instructions for your application route, because final acceptance is always decided by U.S. Department of State. PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.
What file does the online application need?
A digital photo file: JPEG, up to 9.5 MB, for Online passport renewal (opr.travel.state.gov). Your download is prepared to these settings.
How much does a US Passport Card photo cost in the UK?
£6.99 for the digital file, paid once. It includes a print-at-home sheet you can print at any photo shop.
What if something is wrong with my photo?
If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.
Official source: U.S. Department of State
Read the rules on the authority's website: U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov).
Rules last checked against U.S. Department of State on 12 October 2026.
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