US Passport Photo Online for Free

When applying for a US passport, a high-quality photo is paramount. These biometric photos, which capture your face with precise details, help facilitate accurate identification. However, whether you’re using your phone, a camera, or a professional service, getting it right is tricky. Our US passport photo tool makes it easy by letting you create a perfect United States ID photo and then adjust and format your photo with just a few clicks.

Key Features:

Online Cropping Tool: Easily crop your photo to the correct size for US passports using our free online tool.
Detailed Photo Requirements: Our platform provides all the necessary details to ensure your photo adheres to the latest US passport photo guidelines.
Step-by-Step Tutorial: Learn how to capture the perfect photo at home with our easy-to-follow guide.
Official Guidelines: Download the photo requirements directly from the US government's travel website in PDF format.

2inch 2inch 1.29inch 1.18inch

Source: official website travel.state.gov

How to Create Your US Passport Photo

Here’s how to get your US passport photo for free:

Select Country and Document Type:
Choose your country (e.g., United States).
Specify the document type needed (e.g., US Passport, Visa, or Driving License).
Capture and Upload Your Photo:
Take a selfie or pick a photo from your device’s gallery. Upload it and choose “US passport” as the required type. Ensure you have good lighting and a plain background to meet the photo guidelines.
AI does the work:
Hold on for half a minute while our AI adjusts your photo. It will crop, resize, and center it to meet the passport requirements.
Save it:
Check the final result. If it looks good, download it. You can make more changes if required.

It’s easy — just let the AI handle the details to make a US passport photo!

Detailed Requirements for US Passport Photos

For a seamless US passport application process, ensure your photo adheres to these comprehensive guidelines. Our online service is designed to help you create compliant passport photos quickly and effortlessly

2inch

1.29inch

1.18inch

Layout, size and scale by indentation for the US passport

Size The ID size photo needs to be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The proper size of your head, from chin to crown, should be between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm).
Background Use a plain, off-white background to meet the US passport photo requirements.
Expression Maintain a neutral expression with both eyes open and mouth closed, essential for biometric identification.
Attire Wear everyday clothing and avoid uniforms or camouflage. Religious headwear is allowed, but it must not cover your face. No other head coverings are permitted unless they’re medically necessary.
Quality Ensure the image is high resolution (at least 300 DPI) with proper lighting, avoiding any shadows. High-quality images are crucial for clear identification.
Photo Quality The photo should be well-focused with no blur or noise, meeting the stringent standards for passport photos.
Resolution A minimum resolution of 300 DPI is required to ensure clarity. For digital passport pictures, aim for a file size of between 300 KB and 1 MB to make sure it’s compatible with online platforms.
File Size The file size should be between 1 MB and 15 MB to maintain quality without exceeding upload limits.
Background The background must be plain, off-white, and free of shadows to comply with official passport photo requirements.
Format The photo must be the correct size (2x2 inches) and have a neutral background. This format is standard for US passport photos.
Approval The photo must meet all US passport requirements for acceptance.
Printable Yes, the photo should be suitable for high-quality printing.
Online Submission The photo is optimized for physical submission and not suitable for online submission.
Color Passport photos must be in color. The image should be a true representation of your natural appearance, including your skin tone and hair color. Avoid using filters, effects, or color enhancements because these may not be accepted by the passport authorities.

Steps to Take a US Passport Photo at Home with Your iPhone or Android

Don’t be discouraged if all you have is your phone — you can still take great photos by following this simple guide:

Preparation:

Set up a white background, such as a blank wall or a large white sheet. Make sure the background is smooth and free of any wrinkles or objects. The area should be well-lit to eliminate shadows.

Lighting and Background: Ensure good, even lighting and a plain background, ideally off-white.
Distance: Stand 5-7 feet from the camera for a clear, properly framed shot.
Assistance: Use a tripod for stability or ask someone to take the picture to avoid blurriness.

Positioning:

Stand Upright: Maintain a neutral expression with your head straight and eyes open.
Avoid Shadows: Ensure proper lighting to avoid any shadows on your face or background, critical for passport photo compliance.

Uploading and Processing:

Upload Photo: Use our user-friendly platform to upload and process your image.
Download: Download the optimized photo upon completion, ready for your passport application.

How to Take a US Passport Photo for Babies and Kids

To get an acceptable passport picture of your child. Follow these tips to get the best results:

Newborns: Place them in a car seat or lay them on their back on a blanket.
Use a white or off-white blanket or sheet behind the child.
Make sure your baby’s eyes are open and that they are facing the camera directly.
Use natural light or soft lighting to avoid shadows.
Take several photos to increase your chances of getting a compliant image.
Older Babies: Sit them in a chair against a white backdrop to meet the background requirements.

Tools and Features

Our online passport photo tool offers several features to help you create the perfect photo:

Crop

Trim your photo to the correct size using our precise cropping tool.

Resize

Adjust the photo dimensions as needed to meet the official size requirements.

Background removal

Automatically remove non-neutral backgrounds to comply with US passport photo standards.

Auto-adjustment

Optimize brightness, color, and contrast to ensure the best quality photo, crucial for passport photo acceptance.

How to Print a Passport Photo

The first option is to visit a professional photo service, such as a local photo lab or a pharmacy with photo services. They can take and print photos to meet passport requirements.

The other is to use an online service that provides US passport size photo templates. After taking the photo with these guidelines, you can download the image and print it at home. Make sure your printer settings match the photo size requirements for US passports, and use high-quality photo paper for the best results.

Where to Get a Passport Photo

If taking your own passport photo isn’t an option, or if you’re looking for higher quality for further processing, here’s where you can go:

Pharmacies

Major pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid offer professional passport photo services. They provide quick and reliable photo-taking, ensuring compliance with US passport photo guidelines.

Shipping Centers

Places like FedEx or UPS often have passport photo services. They’re a good choice if you’re already stopping by to ship something. The people there know exactly what’s needed for a passport photo, so you can be sure it’ll meet all the official standards.

Post Offices

Some post offices offer passport photo services, too. This is handy if you’re already there to handle other tasks. It’s a straightforward option and is usually reliable for getting your photo done.

Retail Stores

Various retail locations with photo booths, such as Walmart and Costco, provide an affordable and convenient option for getting passport photos.

FAQ

How many photos are required for a US Passport application?
Only one photo is needed, but it must meet all specifications outlined by the US Department of State. The photo must be 2 by 2 inches in size, featuring a white or light-colored backdrop.

Your face needs to be clearly visible, so avoid any shadows or hats, and make sure you’re looking straight at the camera with a neutral expression.
What are the usual passport photo prices?
Passport photo prices usually range from $10 to $25. Drugstores and retail chains tend to charge around $10 to $15, and photo studios charge a bit more, typically $15 to $25.

If you take the photo yourself, making adjustments is free with PhotoGov (waiting) or you can pay $4.9 to skip the line.
How do I ensure my passport picture meets official requirements?
You can use a photo tool that helps you meet the official requirements. Just upload your photo to our tool, and it will adjust things like size and background to make sure everything is right.

Here’s how the photo customization works: you start by choosing the country (like the USA) and then select the document type (such as a passport). Our tool will then automatically adjust it to match the required format and details for that document template.
How recent must my photo be?
Passport photos should be no older than six months to accurately reflect your current appearance. This is crucial for biometric identification.
Is the passport photo maker free to use?
Yes, you can upload your file to the passport photo editor and make all the necessary adjustments — like cropping and resizing — without any cost.

It doesn’t matter which format you choose or how many times you try — using our photo editor is always free. Sometimes, you might not get the perfect photo on your first try, so you might want to experiment with different photos of yourself to get the best result. We won’t charge you for making those adjustments.
How do I get a ready photo for my document using PhotoGov?
Follow these steps to get a ready photo using PhotoGov:
- Upload Your Photo: Use our platform to upload your photo from your smartphone or digital camera.
- Process the Image: Our system will automatically adjust the photo for lighting, centering, and other criteria.
- Download the Image: Once processed, download the high-quality electronic image.