These days, if you wear glasses in your passport photo, it will be rejected. However, the US Department of State changed the policy on bespectacled passport photos. If you applied for a passport several years ago, you may very well be wearing eyeglasses in the photo on your current passport. If the resulting image is too dark or too bright, adjust the position or intensity of the light sources accordingly until you are able to produce a uniformly lit image without any shadows. The best way to test your lighting setup is to take a trial photo. It is also helpful to have lighting from both the right- and left-hand sides to help eliminate shadows from appearing on either side of the face. If going the DIY route with your passport photography, consider lighting both in front and behind of the subject with lights of equal wattage to prevent background shadows. A shadow - either on or behind the subject – is grounds for an immediate application rejection. Still, that is no excuse when selecting a photo to use for your passport. If taking your own passport photos, you probably don’t have the same kind of equipment. Professional photographers use lighting rigs and flash to eliminate unwanted shadows. If you smirk, blink, frown, or wink, take another shot!īack to top Look out for shadows in your passport photo Tilting your head forward or backward, looking down, showing teeth, or making an emotive expression (such as an overly excited face) will result in a photo that you cannot use for your passport. Want to smile in your passport pic? As long as it is natural and not exaggerated, it should be accepted.īe sure to keep your lips gently pressed together (not a deliberate frown or smile), eyes open naturally, and head level with the camera.

Passport photos require subjects to look directly into the lens with a neutral expression. The eyes should be between 1 1/8 and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom edge of the picture.įree web tools like the passport photo wizard can help make sure you get the positioning of the face exactly where it should be.īack to top Keep a neutral facial expression.The nose should be centered horizontally in the picture.

The height of the face should be between 1 and 1 3/8 inches.The US Department of state is very clear about exactly where and what size the face should be in a passport photo: These 9 tips will help ensure your passport photo isn’t the downfall of your passport application. It is up to you, the applicant, to be sure the picture you attach to your passport application will pass muster with the US Department of State.

While most of these errors tend to pop up when applicants attempt to take and print their own passport photos, even professional passport photos sometimes get rejected.

submitting an edited or retouched photo.

There are nine common mistakes that can render your passport pictures unacceptable: The good news is, these passport photo errors can be avoided with some careful attention to detail. 9 Things That Can Get Your Passport Photo Rejected and How to Avoid Themįailing to follow the guidelines for a valid passport picture is the number one reason why a passport application is delayed or rejected.

Walgreens passport photo print