United States
Use this United States guide to separate the 2×2 inch paper-photo route from online renewal, create a crop-only paper preview, and check the current official rules before submission.
The maker below prepares a crop-only prepared photo for the paper-photo route. It does not replace the background, change your appearance, check every official rule or approve an online renewal photo.
Upload a portrait that already has a plain white or off-white background to prepare a 2 × 2 inch paper-photo output. The United States preset crops the image to 600×600 px without replacing the background.
Crop-only technical output
Loading the United States preset...
AI-generated visual comparison, not an actual processing result. This preset controls the 2×2 inch crop and 600×600 px output. It does not replace the background or approve the photo.
This crop-only maker prepares a prepared photo for the US paper-photo route. It does not replace the background, retouch your face, verify that the photo is recent, inspect lighting or paper quality, approve online renewal files, or guarantee official acceptance. This service handles the stated size and image processing only; final acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.
Route check
Start with the application method. A 2×2 inch printed photo and an online renewal upload share appearance rules, but they do not use the same final file workflow.
Start here
US passport photo requirements begin with the application route, not pixel size. Decide whether you are submitting a paper form or renewing online.
Step 01
Prepare one 2×2 inch color photo with the required head size, background, pose and photo-quality paper. The maker above can create a crop-only prepared photo for this route.
Step 02
Upload an original digital portrait in a supported format and file-size range. Do not scan a print or treat the 600×600 paper preview as the required online upload.
Step 03
Visa photo pages and composition templates appear in search results, but visa submission rules are outside this US passport guide. Follow the instructions for the exact document.
Size and file rules
US passport photo requirements differ by route. Compare the final paper-photo requirement with the original digital file used for online renewal.
Paper form
Photo or file2×2 in (51×51 mm); one color print
Framing1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm) from chin to top of head
Current requirementsTaken within 6 months; matte or glossy photo-quality paper; white or off-white background; do not submit scans or digitally changed photos.
Online renewal
Photo or fileJPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF; 54 KB–10 MB
FramingCenter head and shoulders; leave enough room for the application crop
Current requirementsUse an original digital photo taken within 6 months. Do not upload a scan or photo of a print. The application can reposition or crop the image.
Do not copy the 600–1200 px and 240 KB limits from US visa-photo pages into the current passport online-renewal workflow.
Appearance and capture
US passport photo requirements cover more than size. Capture the identity photo correctly before cropping, printing or uploading.
Use a recent color portrait that still looks like you. Face the camera directly without tilting your head, keep both eyes open and visible, and use a neutral expression with your mouth closed.
The best correction is usually a retake. A crop-only output cannot repair a textured wall, strong shadow, hidden eye, blur, filter or changed facial appearance.
Source portrait checks
Use a plain white or off-white wall or sheet. Stand several feet away so the background stays even and shadows do not collect around the head and shoulders.
Choose balanced light that reproduces natural skin tone. If the image is blurry, grainy, overexposed or underexposed, retake it instead of trying to hide the problem later.
Look straight at the camera with your head level and shoulders square. Keep the colored portions of both eyes visible and close your mouth.
Your ears do not need to be deliberately exposed, but hair must not block your eyes or any part of your face. A natural closed-mouth smile may be acceptable; an exaggerated expression is not.
Remove eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted lenses. If glasses cannot be removed for a medical reason, include the signed doctor's note required by the application.
Remove hats and head coverings unless they are documented religious or medical wear. Any permitted covering must leave the full face visible and create no shadows. Wear normal daily clothing, not uniforms or camouflage.
The State Department says to submit the original, unchanged photo and not use software, apps, filters or artificial intelligence to alter it. Do not replace a poor background or digitally repair red-eye, facial features or shadows.
The maker on this page uses the existing United States crop-only preset. It prepares a 600×600 prepared photo for the paper route without requesting background replacement. The receiving authority still decides whether the photo is usable.
If the instructions in your actual application are stricter, follow that application.
Preparation workflow
Use one clean capture, then finish it through the paper or online path that matches your application.
01 / 04
Open the current State Department photo page linked by your application. Decide whether the final handoff is a printed 2×2 inch photo or an original digital upload for online renewal.
Do not start from a visa-photo template or an old pixel checklist found in a mixed search result.
02 / 04
Have another person take the photo. Stand several feet from a white or off-white background and look directly at a camera positioned near eye level.
Take several frames so you can choose a sharp, evenly lit image with open visible eyes, a closed mouth and no shadows.
03 / 04
Use the maker above only after the source background, lighting, pose and appearance are already suitable. Inspect the 2×2 inch crop and the 1–1⅜ inch head-height range.
Print the final color photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper at the correct physical size. A 600×600 file alone does not prove that a printer produced an exact 2×2 inch photo.
04 / 04
Upload the original digital portrait from your device in an accepted format. Do not scan a print, photograph a print or upload the paper-route preview as a substitute for the requested original image.
The online application can reposition or crop the photo and may ask you to try another image. A State Department employee reviews the photo after submission and may request a replacement.
Do not use the crop-only paper preview as proof that an online renewal photo will be accepted.
Visual review
Use these text comparisons to inspect a real source photo. They summarize official examples without copying official or competitor images.
Better pattern
Even light, accurate skin tone and no shadow on the face or background.
Problem pattern
Underexposed, washed out, discolored or strongly shadowed image.
Better pattern
Head and shoulders centered, full head visible and enough space for the route-specific crop.
Problem pattern
Camera too close or far away, head cut off, off-center crop or stretched face.
Better pattern
Direct front view, level head, eyes visible and mouth closed.
Problem pattern
Tilted or rotated head, closed eyes, open mouth or exaggerated expression.
Better pattern
No glasses; documented covering leaves the full face visible without shadows.
Problem pattern
Glasses, sunglasses, face covering or hair blocks part of the face.
Better pattern
Plain white or off-white physical background without texture, lines or objects.
Problem pattern
Colored, textured or digitally replaced background with changed facial or hair edges.
Better pattern
Original sharp color image without filters, retouching or AI changes.
Problem pattern
Scan, photocopy, grain, visible pixels, red-eye, filter, face edit or AI-generated change.
These are educational descriptions, not an automated compliance score or an official acceptance decision.
Pre-submission review
Most failures should be corrected by retaking the source or returning to the correct application route.
Problem: 01. Paper photo is not exactly 2×2 inches
Why it matters: The finished print does not meet the required US passport photo dimensions.
Better correction: Re-export or reprint, then measure the physical photo before attaching it.
Problem: 02. Head height is outside 1–1⅜ inches
Why it matters: The identity crop is too tight or too distant for the paper form.
Better correction: Return to a wider original and create a new crop without stretching the face.
Problem: 03. A scanned print is uploaded online
Why it matters: Online renewal asks for an original digital photo, not a scan or photograph of a print.
Better correction: Upload the original camera file in a supported format and size range.
Problem: 04. Background is digitally replaced
Why it matters: Editing can change the outline of the head, face or neck and violates the original-photo rule.
Better correction: Retake against a real plain white or off-white background.
Problem: 05. Glasses, hair or a covering hides the face
Why it matters: The reviewer cannot see the full face and eyes clearly.
Better correction: Remove glasses and obstructions, then retake with the full face visible.
Problem: 06. Image is blurry, shadowed or compressed
Why it matters: Facial detail and accurate skin tone are lost.
Better correction: Improve the physical lighting and camera settings, then capture a new high-quality original.
Problem: 07. Visa pixel limits are used for a passport renewal
Why it matters: A neighboring SERP result is being treated as the wrong document's current rule.
Better correction: Return to the passport photo page linked by the paper or online application.
Do not repeatedly edit a failed final image. Correct the capture or route and start again from the original.
Children and exceptions
Use the United States child and exception rules instead of applying every adult assumption mechanically.
For broader preparation advice, read the infant passport photo guide, then return to the United States source for the final rule.
Final control
Use this US passport photo requirements checklist for the application route you selected before printing, attaching or uploading the photo.
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Official sources
This page uses separate State Department sources for paper forms and online renewal, and does not reuse neighboring visa-photo limits as passport rules.
FAQ
Direct answers about paper size, online renewal, phone capture, clothing, hair, glasses and infant photos.
Create and verify
Create a crop-only paper-photo output when you need a 2×2 inch print, or return to the official online-renewal instructions when your application asks for an original digital photo.
PassportSizePhoto.ai is an independent information and photo-preparation service. It is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or any passport authority. Only the receiving authority can decide whether a photo is accepted.
