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When you need a passport fast...
Passport Photos: What You Need to Know to Avoid Delays with Your Passport Application
Beware, glasses will no longer allowed in passport photos.
Only
one passport photo is required when applying for most passport
services, especially a new issue or renewal. Your application can be
delayed significantly if your photo does not meet established
standards. In fact, problems with pictures is one of the main reasons
delays occur. It could be that the photos are not the right dimensions
or the quality is not high enough. In other cases, the applicant does
not follow the guidelines concerning the background or what is worn.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the
guidelines below and read through the frequently asked questions to
guarantee that your passport photos meet the requirements.
Passport Photo Requirements
U.S. passport photo size is 2x2 inches
Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
Color (NOTE: Black and white photos are no longer accepted.)
Printed in either matte or glossy quality photo paper
Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
What type of paper are the photographs to be printed on?
The photos should be printed on thin photo-quality paper.
Can hats or religious headgear be worn for the passport photo? Unless
worn daily for religious reasons, all hats or headgear should be
removed for the photo. In all cases, no item or attire should cover or
otherwise obscure any part of the face.
Can work uniforms be worn for the passport photo? Uniforms
should not be worn in photographs except in the case of religious
attire that is worn daily. Otherwise, normal street attire should be
worn.
Can eyeglasses be worn for the passport photo? Eyeglasses
are no longer allowed in passport photos.
Can sunglasses or tinted glasses be worn for the passport photo? Dark
glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not
acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical
certificate may be required.
Can a parent or guardian appear in the passport photo of a minor child? No,
the minor child must be the only subject in the photo. Nothing used to
support the minor child, whether by mechanical or human means, should
be in the camera's frame.
Are photos that are copied from recent driver licenses or other official documents acceptable? No,
only original photographs are acceptable. Copied or digitally scanned
photos of photos will not be accepted. In addition, photos must not be
retouched to alter the applicant's appearance in any way.
May photos be taken with a digital camera? If the digital
camera has sufficient resolution capable of capturing and storing
images with 1 million pixels (megapixels) or more, it can be used to
take the photos. However, printing of digital images is best done by
professional photography processing labs because many off-the-shelf
digital printers cannot achieve the image-quality required for passport
and visa photographs. In any case, the image-quality criteria,
described on this website, must be met in the submitted conventional
film photo and/or the digital image printed photo. For more
information, visit Passport Photos with a Digital Camera.
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