Passport Photo Requirements
Get your passport photo right the first time: the size, background, and expression rules for the US and UK, plus the mistakes that get photos rejected.
A rejected photo is one of the most common reasons a passport application gets delayed. The rules are strict but simple once you know them.
The core rules
- Recent: taken within the last 6 months (US) or last month (UK).
- Plain background: white or off-white (US), light-colored or cream (UK), with no shadows.
- Neutral expression: mouth closed or a natural look, both eyes open, facing the camera.
- No glasses: removed unless medically necessary.
- No hats: religious head coverings are allowed if your face is fully visible.
Size at a glance
| Country | Photo size | Head or face height |
|---|---|---|
| US | 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) | ~25 to 35 mm (chin to top of head) |
| UK | 45 x 35 mm | 29 to 34 mm (crown to chin) |
- US
- Photo size
- 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm)
- Head or face height
- ~25 to 35 mm (chin to top of head)
- UK
- Photo size
- 45 x 35 mm
- Head or face height
- 29 to 34 mm (crown to chin)
Avoid these mistakes
- A colored or cluttered background, or shadows behind your head.
- Glasses, hats, or hair covering the eyes.
- A blurry, low-resolution, or filtered image.
- For children: toys, hands, or another person in the frame.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a US passport photo?
2 by 2 inches, which is about 51 by 51 millimeters. It must be taken within the last 6 months, on a plain white or off-white background, with the head sized between roughly 1 and 1 and three-eighths inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
What size is a UK passport photo?
45 millimeters tall by 35 millimeters wide, with the image of your face, from crown to chin, between 29 and 34 millimeters high. It must be taken within the last month against a plain light-colored or cream background.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
Generally no. Both the US and UK ask you to remove glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. The only exception is for medical reasons, which usually needs a signed note from a doctor. This rule helps the photo work with facial-recognition checks.
Can I take a passport photo at home?
Yes, if it meets the rules: good lighting, a plain background, a neutral expression, no shadows, and a sharp, unfiltered image. The US accepts a compliant digital photo for online renewal. The UK often prefers a photo-booth or shop code over a home print, so check before printing.
Why do passport photos get rejected?
The usual reasons are a busy or colored background, shadows on the face or behind the head, glasses or a hat, a non-neutral expression, hair over the eyes, low resolution, or an over-edited photo. For children, toys, hands, or another person in the frame will fail it.
Keep reading
Related guides
How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport?
Realistic passport processing times — standard vs expedited, what slows things down, and how to get one faster when you're in a hurry.
2 min readHow to Get a Passport: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Exactly how to get a passport — the documents you need, where to apply, what it costs, and how long it takes — laid out as a simple checklist.
1 min readHow to Get a Passport for a Child
How to get a passport for a child or baby: the consent rules, why both parents usually have to be involved, what it costs, and how long it stays valid.
1 min readNo obligation
Want real help with the move?
Tell us where you are and where you want to go, and we'll get you in contact with relocation specialists. No commitment.
Get real help