US Passport Online Renewal Photo Online
51 × 51 mm · white background · U.S. Department of State
$8.99 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 25 October 2026.
About this photo
Applying through the U.S. Department of State? The US Passport Online Renewal photo it wants measures 51 by 51 mm. A white background is accepted, as long as it is uniform and without pattern. Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera. The upload for U.S. Department of State online application needs to be as a JPEG, no larger than 10 MB. Your head, chin to crown, should measure 25 to 35 mm on the print. Home photos are accepted when they follow the rules, so a well-lit phone picture taken by someone else works. We make the US Passport Online Renewal photo to this specification from your own picture and show you the result before you pay.
Photo requirements
| Photo size | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Digital file | JPEG, up to 9.5 MB, for U.S. Department of State online application |
| 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; MyTravelGov upload: colour, taken by someone else (no selfies), the original unedited file between 54 KB and 10 MB, not a scan of a print; Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera |
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 Online Renewal photos
What size is a US Passport Online Renewal photo?
US Passport Online Renewal 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 Online Renewal 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 Online Renewal 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 Online Renewal 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 Online Renewal 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 U.S. Department of State online application. Your download is prepared to these settings.
How much does a US Passport Online Renewal 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).
Rules last checked against U.S. Department of State on 25 October 2026.
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