The U.S. State Department accepts passport photos taken by a friend or family member, as long as they meet the requirements: 2×2 inches, head 1–1⅜ inches from chin to top of head, a plain white or off-white background, taken in the last 6 months, and no digital changes or filters. With a smartphone, a plain wall and a helper, you can get a compliant shot at home.
The State Department requires a background that is white or off-white, free of shadows, and plain without texture, objects or lines. Avoid:
If your only wall isn't plain white, cover it with a white sheet or blanket, as the State Department suggests. Stand several feet in front of the wall so your shadow doesn't fall on it.
Lighting must be even across your face, without shadows, and neither too bright nor too dim. Indirect daylight from a window works well: face the window so the light falls on your face from the front. Avoid:
Put the phone at eye level, about 4 feet away — the State Department says the camera should be several feet (1.2 m) from you. Photos taken too close or too far away are rejected. Use a tripod, books, or a friend.
Use the back (rear) camera rather than an arm's-length selfie: from that distance the front camera exaggerates the nose and makes the head too large in the frame.
Set the camera to its highest quality setting, then take 5–10 photos using the self-timer or with a helper. Small differences in expression and blinking matter — pick the sharpest shot with both eyes open.
Upload your best photo to Photo-Visa.Online's US Passport Photo page. The service:
Cost: $13 for the digital file with a print-ready 4×6 in layout. Keep in mind that the State Department checks photos for digital changes and rejects enhanced or altered photos, so fix lighting and background when you take the photo rather than relying on editing.
For paper passport applications — DS-11 (in person) and DS-82 (renewal by mail) — you need a printed 2×2 in photo. If you renew online, you upload a digital photo instead. Print options:
Common DIY passport photo mistakes and how to avoid them:
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Phone held too close — face distorted, head too large | Move about 4 ft away; use rear camera |
| Background not white, textured or with objects | Use a plain white or off-white wall or a white sheet |
| Shadow under chin or on the wall | Face the window, turn off overhead light, step away from the wall |
| Eyes partly closed | Take multiple shots, pick the best |
| Head too small or off-center in the frame | Crop to 2×2 in with the head sized 1–1⅜ in |
| Mouth open or exaggerated expression | Retake with mouth closed and a natural expression |
| Glasses on | Remove — not allowed since November 2016 |
| Filters or beauty mode on | Turn them off — edited photos are rejected |
Taking a passport photo at home is realistic for anyone with a smartphone and a helper. The parts you control are the ones that matter most: a plain white wall, even light, the right distance and an unedited shot. Cropping to the exact 2×2 in size is the step an online tool handles for you — for $13, usually less than a pharmacy photo.
Ready to try? Upload your photo at Photo-Visa.Online's US Passport Photo page or check the full 2×2 inch photo specifications.