Passports

Photographs

Following are a few guidelines regarding photograph requirements for U.S. passports. Please visit the Department of State website for additional details.

Each applicant for a passport must provide two identical color photographs that meet the following requirements:

(1) Good Likeness: The photographs must be recent (normally taken within the past 6 months), be a good likeness of and readily identify the applicant at the time of the application (see 22 CFR 51.25(a)). Photographs retouched to the point where the applicant’s appearance is changed are not acceptable. Photographs showing a change in facial hair or hair color are acceptable if they still are a good likeness of the applicant.

(2) Size: The photographs must be 2” x 2” (about 5 cm. x 5 cm.) in overall size.

(3) Image: The image must be clear. The image size must be no less than 1” (about 2.54 cm.) and no more than 1 3/8” (about 3.5 cm.), measured from the top of the head (including hair) to the bottom of the chin. A smaller image size will make identification of the bearer difficult in addition to revealing staples and borderline requirements from the passport application. A larger image size may make it impossible to crop the photograph to the correct size (45 mm. x 35 mm. as per ICAO specifications) for placement in the passport.

(4) Head Position: The photographs must be clear with a centered, full frontal view of the applicant’s facial image. The ears do not have to be visible.

Please click here for more information http://travel.state.gov/pdf/Photo%20Guide%2010-01-04.pdf

Frequently asked questions about photographs please click here
http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/faq/faq_881.html