US Passport Renewal by Mail Photo Online

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

$8.99 digital file

Take my US Passport Renewal by Mail 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 25 October 2026.

About this photo

The U.S. Department of State asks for an US Passport Renewal by Mail photo of 51 by 51 mm. Applications are made with printed photos, so you need a physical copy rather than an upload. Your head, chin to crown, should measure 25 to 35 mm on the print. Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera. Behind you: plain white, lit evenly so no shadow falls on the face or the wall. A photo taken at home with a phone is fine provided it meets these rules; ask someone else to take it at eye level. We make the US Passport Renewal by Mail photo to this specification from your own picture and show you the result before you pay.

Photo requirements

US Passport Renewal by Mail photo requirements
Photo size	51 × 51 mm
Background	white
Head size	49–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair)
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Glasses	Allowed. No tinted lenses or sunglasses. No glare on the lenses. Frames must not cover any part of the eyes.
Head coverings	Allowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face from chin to forehead must be visible.
Head position	Facing the camera, tilted no more than 10°
Other rules	Taken within the last 6 months; Form DS-82: one 2 x 2 inch colour photo on photo-quality paper, stapled at the four corners; Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera

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 smiling with teeth showing — No smiling with teeth showing

Illustration of a rejected photo: light reflects off the glasses and hides the eyes — No glare on 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

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 Renewal by Mail photos

What size is a US Passport Renewal by Mail photo?

US Passport Renewal by Mail photos are 51 × 51 mm. The head should fill 49–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).

What background does a US Passport Renewal by Mail photo need?

A plain white background, 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 Renewal by Mail photo?

Yes. No tinted lenses or sunglasses. No glare on the lenses. Frames must not cover any part of the eyes.

Can I smile in a US Passport Renewal by Mail photo?

No. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open.

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 Renewal by Mail 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.

How much does a US Passport Renewal by Mail photo cost in the US?

$8.99 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).