United States · Passport · Printed submission photo · Printable sheet
U.S. Passport - Printable Output
The current U.S. Passport - Printable Output photo dimensions are 51 x 51 mm. Measurement size: 25–35 mm. Use a white; plain background. The document authority or upload workflow makes the final acceptance decision. Paper applications and paper renewals use the same 2 x 2 inch printed photo standard. Online renewal uses its own digital upload process.
U.S. Passport - Printable Output source-backed photo requirements, examples, retake guidance, and local privacy notes. Paper applications and paper renewals use the same 2 x 2 inch printed photo standard. Online renewal uses its own digital upload process. Use this as local guidance, then verify current official instructions before submitting.
Open local photo tool- Photo size
- 51 x 51 mm
- Measurement size
- 25–35 mm
- Background
- white; plain
- Editing
- Retake instead of editing when the source composition is wrong.
- Dataset version
- e6a3cf1a
- Field verification
- 2026-10-29
- Output
- Printable sheet
Official Sources
Published by Tejji. This guidance is not an official issuing-authority service and does not imply government affiliation.
- U.S. Passport Photos — paper application requirements — U.S. Department of State, Passport Services source record reviewed 2026-10-29
Full photo specifications
| Requirement | Published rule and evidence |
|---|---|
| Document and applicant scope | Paper applications and paper renewals use the same 2 x 2 inch printed photo standard. Online renewal uses its own digital upload process. |
| Output type | Printable sheet |
| Printed photo dimensions | 51 x 51 mm |
| Measurement size | 25–35 mm |
| Background | Passport photos must use a plain white or off-white background without shadows. |
| Pose and framing | full face, front view, directly facing the camera |
| Eyes and eye-line | The captured U.S. passport page does not publish an eye-line distance from the bottom edge. |
| Additional requirements | Gentle natural smile is allowed (user decision Q53; the saved page says 'You can smile in your photo'). The same page's examples also show a neutral expression. |
| Digital file scope | The official rule is a printed 2x2 inch photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper; sheet raster format is app-owned later. |
| Editing policy | Retake instead of editing when the source composition is wrong. |
Photo rejection risks
- wrong_print_size
- selfie_distortion
Local print price example
No published price example verified. General print prices vary by provider and location.
Field-level source evidence
Each listed excerpt supports the named artifact fields. Translations are labeled and are not represented as official English text.
U.S. Passport Photos — paper application requirements — U.S. Department of State, Passport Services · reviewed 2026-10-29
Supports: printed photo height, printed photo width, maximum face or head height, minimum face or head height
Source locator: Photo requirements and examples > Size and position
The correct printed size of a passport photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The size of your head in the printed photo must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
U.S. Passport Photos — paper application requirements — U.S. Department of State, Passport Services · reviewed 2026-10-29
Supports: application and output scope
Source locator: Photo requirements and examples
Submit 1 color photo taken in the last 6 months.
U.S. Passport Photos — paper application requirements — U.S. Department of State, Passport Services · reviewed 2026-10-29
Supports: permitted background colors, plain background requirement, shadow requirement
Source locator: Photo requirements and examples > Background
Use a plain white or off-white background free of shadows, textures, or objects.
U.S. Passport Photos — paper application requirements — U.S. Department of State, Passport Services · reviewed 2026-10-29
Supports: digital file scope
Source locator: Photo requirements and examples > Resolution and quality
Print your photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. Do not submit photocopies or digitally scanned photos.
U.S. Passport Photos — paper application requirements — U.S. Department of State, Passport Services · reviewed 2026-10-29
Supports: editing rules forbidden
Source locator: Photo requirements and examples > Digital changes
Do not change your photo using computer software, phone apps or filters. We check all photos to ensure they were not digitally enhanced or altered.
U.S. Passport Photos — paper application requirements — U.S. Department of State, Passport Services · reviewed 2026-10-29
Supports: additional photo requirements
Source locator: Pose and expression
You can smile in your photo.
U.S. Passport Photos — paper application requirements — U.S. Department of State, Passport Services · reviewed 2026-10-29
Supports: background requirements
Source locator: Photo requirements
Use a plain white or off-white background free of shadows, textures, or objects.
U.S. Passport Photos — paper application requirements — U.S. Department of State, Passport Services · reviewed 2026-10-29
Supports: editing policy
Source locator: Photo examples
The background is cropped using a photo retouching tool, changing the outline of your head, face, and neck. (UNACCEPTABLE)
U.S. Passport Photos — paper application requirements — U.S. Department of State, Passport Services · reviewed 2026-10-29
Supports: photo rejection risks
Source locator: Photo examples (UNACCEPTABLE)
UNACCEPTABLE The photo includes shadows on your face and the background. | UNACCEPTABLE Your head is not centered and fully in the photo. | UNACCEPTABLE The photo is not the right size. | UNACCEPTABLE The image is an original but the background is not plain white or off-white. | UNACCEPTABLE You are looking down, and your head is tilted forward.
U.S. Passport Photos — paper application requirements — U.S. Department of State, Passport Services · reviewed 2026-10-29
Supports: application and output scope
Source locator: Introduction and Size
For online renewal, upload a digital photo to your application. | The correct printed size of a passport photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
Examples
- 51 x 51 mm Printable sheet for U.S. Passport - Printable Output.
- Background example: white.
- Output example: use the printable sheet generator for the final downloadable file.
Retake Guidance
- Use a plain background (white) with even front lighting.
- Keep the face centered, phone level, and shoulders square to the camera.
- Retake if measurement size is outside 25-35 mm.
- Retake instead of using filters, retouching, portrait mode, background replacement, or AI alteration when the source warns against edits.
- Retake instead of editing when the source composition is wrong.
Data Flow
No photo bytes leave this browser for the local capture, validation, crop, report, and download flow unless you explicitly choose a future upload feature.
FAQs
What photo size is listed for U.S. Passport - Printable Output?
The current artifact lists 51 x 51 mm, with a measurement size range of 25–35 mm. Check the linked official source for the latest instructions.
Can I edit a U.S. Passport - Printable Output photo?
Retake instead of editing when the source composition is wrong.
Is this U.S. Passport - Printable Output page an official service?
No. This page summarizes maintained official-source guidance from U.S. Department of State, Passport Services and links to the sources so you can verify the current rule text.
Can this page promise acceptance?
No. Use the app result as guidance only. The document authority or upload workflow makes the final acceptance decision.
Does local validation upload my photo?
No photo bytes leave this browser in the default local flow. Camera frames, uploads, checks, reports, and downloads stay local unless you choose an explicit upload feature later.