US Passport Photo in the UK

51 × 51 mm · white background · U.S. Department of State

£6.99 digital file

Take my US Passport photo

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

A US Passport photo from the U.S. Department of State is a 2 by 2 inch square (51 by 51 mm), with your head 25 to 35 mm from chin to crown. If you renew online, the upload can be a JPEG, PNG or HEIC file between 54 KB and 10 MB, and the application lets you crop it. The wall behind you should be white or off-white with no shadows. You may smile naturally, but keep your mouth closed and both eyes open. Glasses are not permitted except for a documented medical reason. Uniforms, camouflage clothing and headphones are also refused.

Photo requirements

US Passport photo requirements
Photo size51 × 51 mm
Digital fileJPEG, up to 9.5 MB, for Online passport renewal (opr.travel.state.gov)
Backgroundwhite, also accepted: off-white
Head size50–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair)
ExpressionNatural smile allowed
GlassesNot allowed
Head coveringsAllowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face from chin to forehead must be visible.
Head positionFacing the camera, tilted no more than 10°
Other rulesNeutral expression or a natural smile, both eyes open, mouth closed; Face the camera directly, full face in view; Plain white or off-white background, no shadows; Taken within the last 6 months; No uniforms or camouflage; no headphones or wireless devices; No filters, retouching or alterations

Do

Illustration of an accepted photo: neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera on a plain background
Neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera

Don't

Illustration of a rejected photo: the person is wearing glasses
No glasses
Illustration of a rejected photo: a shadow falls across the face and background
No shadows on the face or background
Illustration of a rejected photo: the head is tilted to one side
Do not tilt your head
Illustration of a rejected photo: a patterned background behind the person
No patterns or objects behind you

How it works

  1. 1. Take or upload a photo

    Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.

  2. 2. We size and check it

    We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.

  3. 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 photos

What size is a US Passport photo?

US Passport 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 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 photo?

No. Glasses are not allowed in US Passport photos. Glasses are not allowed since November 2016, except for medical reasons with a signed doctor's statement.

Can I smile in a US Passport 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. The whole face from chin to forehead must be visible.

Can I take a US Passport 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 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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