For a U.S. passport photo, wear everyday clothes in a solid color that contrasts with a white background, keep your makeup natural, and make sure nothing covers your face. The State Department has only a few hard rules about clothing: no uniforms, no clothing that looks like a uniform, no camouflage, no glasses, no hats (unless worn for religious or medical reasons) and no headphones. Jewelry and facial piercings are allowed as long as they don't hide your face. Everything else in this guide is practical advice for a photo that looks like you and passes review the first time.
Here is what the State Department actually says about attire on its passport photo page. If an item isn't on this list, there is no official ban on it — but it still has to leave your full face visible.
| Item | Allowed? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday clothing | Yes | No specific color or style is required |
| Uniforms, uniform-like clothing | No | Includes military, police and work uniforms |
| Camouflage clothing | No | Any camo pattern |
| Eyeglasses, sunglasses, tinted glasses | No | Not even resting on your head; a signed doctor's note is required if you can't remove them for medical reasons |
| Hats and head coverings | Only for religious or medical reasons | Religious: a signed statement that it's worn daily in public. Medical: a signed doctor's statement |
| Face coverings, medical masks | No | Your full face must be visible |
| Headphones, wireless earbuds | No | Nothing in or on your ears |
| Jewelry, facial piercings | Yes | As long as they don't hide your face |
If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons, the State Department adds a few conditions: your full face must be visible, there should be no shadows on your face, and the covering should be one color, without patterns or small holes.
The background must be plain white or off-white, so the most common mistake is a top that blends into it. The State Department doesn't name required colors, but these choices work reliably:
A simple crew neck, collared shirt, blouse or sweater is ideal. Since the photo shows your head and the top of your shoulders, the neckline is the part that matters. Very low necklines or strapless tops can make it look like you aren't wearing anything in a head-and-shoulders crop, so choose something with visible straps or sleeves.
Yes. The State Department's photo requirements don't prohibit makeup. What they do require is an accurate image of you: the photo must reproduce skin tones accurately, show no shadows, and must not be digitally altered. Makeup is applied to your face before the shot, so it isn't a "digital change" — but heavy makeup can still cause problems in review if it makes you look very different from how you normally appear.
Practical makeup tips:
You can wear your hair however you normally do, with one firm rule: your eyes must not be covered or obstructed by hair. The State Department also says your hair may extend past the edges of the photo, as long as your entire head is shown and is the right size (1 to 1⅜ inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head in a 2×2 inch photo).
Yes. The State Department says you can wear jewelry and keep facial piercings as long as they don't hide your face. Stud earrings, small hoops, a necklace or a nose stud are all fine. Large statement earrings or chains are technically allowed too, but anything that reflects the flash or draws attention away from your face is better left off for the photo. If you have recently added or removed many large facial piercings, note that the State Department lists that as a "big change" that may require a new passport later.
Glasses are the most common accessory people forget. Eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses all have to come off, and the current guidance says not to rest them on your head either. If you truly can't remove them for medical reasons, include a signed note from your doctor with your application.
For a hijab, turban, kippah or other religious head covering, include a signed statement that it's religious attire worn daily in public. A medical head covering, for example after chemotherapy, needs a signed doctor's statement.
Once your outfit is sorted, take the photo at home against a plain white wall (see our guide on how to take a passport photo at home) and upload it to the US Passport Photo page. The service does automated cropping to the right size, background and compliance check — we don't change your face. That matters: the State Department says "Do not change your photo using computer software, phone apps or filters", and every photo is checked for digital enhancement.
If you want to compare outfits, see real examples of acceptable and unacceptable shots in our passport photo sample guide, and check whether to smile in can you smile in a passport photo.
Not a formal one. The only clothing rules are no uniforms, no clothing that looks like a uniform and no camouflage. Normal everyday clothes are what the State Department expects.
It isn't forbidden, but it's risky because the background must be white or off-white. A white shirt can blend into the background and make your outline unclear. A darker solid color is the safer choice.
Yes. Makeup isn't banned. Keep it natural and matte so skin tones look accurate and you still look like yourself. Don't use beauty filters or retouching apps — edited photos are rejected.
Yes. Jewelry and facial piercings are allowed as long as they don't hide your face. Small pieces that don't reflect light work best.
Respond to the State Department's letter with a new photo that fixes the issue. Our guide to passport photo rejection reasons covers the most common problems, and can I change my passport photo explains your options.