1x1 Passport Photo
Marthe Bernskoetter
Would you rather visit a physical location? Here are the most popular places to get passport photos in the United States. For your comfort, we have summarized their offer, highlighting crucial aspects like prices and the number of photos you receive.
Your photo is a vital part of your visa application. To learn more, review the information below on how to provide a suitable photo. Digital images are required for some visa categories, while photos are required for other visa categories. The acceptance of your digital image or photo is at the discretion of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply.
If you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa by filling out the DS-160 or DS-1648 online form, the form will instruct you to upload your digital image as part of completing the online visa application form. Review the Digital Image Requirements, which also provide additional requirements if you are scanning an existing photo.
Some embassies and consulates require visa applicants to bring one (1) photo, which meets requirements, to the interview. Review the embassy or consulate instructions where you will apply to learn more.
While we recommend you use a professional visa photo service to ensure your photo meets all the requirements, you may take the photo yourself. Photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered to change your appearance in any way. Please review the following technical requirements and references for guidance on taking your own photo.
Lay your baby on his or her back on a plain white or off-white sheet. This will ensure your baby's head is supported and provide a plain background for the photo. Make certain there are no shadows on your baby's face, especially if you take a picture from above with the baby lying down.
If your photo(s) or digital image does not reflect your current appearance, even if it is not older than 6 months, the U.S. embassy or consulate will request that you provide a new photo with your application.
Generally, if you can still be identified from the photo in your visa application, you will not need to submit a new photo. For example, growing a beard or coloring your hair would not generally be considered a significant change of appearance.
If the appearance of your child under the age of 16 has changed due to the normal aging process, he or she will generally not have to provide a new photo. However, the acceptance of your photo or digital image is at the discretion of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply.
Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.
- Select a .JPEG file from your computer or mobile device and upload it to your application.
- Use a recent photo taken in the last six months.
- Make sure there is lots of space around your head and shoulders.
- An employee will review your photo after you submit your application. If the photo does not meet our requirements, we will send you a letter or email asking you send us a new photo.
- If the photo tool does not accept your photo, the tool will provide a message explaining the reason(s). Find information about why the tool did not accept your photo on this webpage.
Photo ElementRequirementDimensionsMake sure the image has large dimensions. Be sure there is lots of space around your head and shoulders to allow room for cropping by our photo tool. The dimensions can be rectangular. Your photo must be at least 600 x 600 pixels.ColorUse a color photo. You cannot upload a photo in black and white. FormatYour photo must be in JPEG file format.SizeYour photo must be at least 54 kilobytes and no more than 10 megabytes.CompressionUse the highest quality settings on your camera so your photo has a high resolution. If you are saving or emailing the photo, select the highest quality setting (large file size). Do not edit or change your photo using software or a mobile app. To avoid compressing your image, do not send the image via text message.
We need you to upload a new photo that has a higher resolution, is not grainy or pixelated, and is not compressed. Compression means the file size is too small with respect to the pixel dimensions. A photo may become compressed if it is edited after it is taken. Improve the resolution of your photo by changing the settings on your camera.
When saving and emailing your photo, select the highest quality setting (large file size). Do not edit or change your photo using software or a mobile app. To avoid compressing your image, do not send the image via text message.
We need you to upload a new photo because the size and position of your head is not acceptable for a passport. If the person taking your photo is standing too close or too far away, your head may not be the correct size.
This message means your photo may be blurry or out of focus. Your photo may have a low resolution and file size, it may be grainy and pixelated, or it may lack clarity. Please upload a new photo with a larger file size and resolution.
We are experiencing a temporary, technical issue with our online renewal application. Please log out of your application, clear the cache and cookies in your web browser, and try again in several hours.
Alert: USPS.com is undergoing routine maintenance from 11 PM ET, Saturday, June 15th through 4 AM ET, Sunday June 16th, 2024. During this time, payment transactions on some applications will be temporarily unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Alert: USPS.com is undergoing routine maintenance from 10 PM ET, Saturday, May 18 through 4 AM ET, Sunday, May 19, 2024. During this time, you may not be able to sign in to your account and payment transactions on some applications may be temporarily unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Alert: USPS.com is undergoing routine maintenance from 10 PM ET, Saturday, March 9 through 4 AM ET, Sunday, March 10, 2024. During this time, you may not be able to sign-in to your account and payment transactions on some applications may be temporarily unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Alert: USPS.com is undergoing routine maintenance from 11 PM ET, Saturday, March 2 through 4 AM ET, March 3, 2024. During this time, payment transactions on some applications will be temporarily unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Alert: For first-time passport and photo services, please make an appointment using our online scheduler, a Post Office lobby self-service kiosk, or at a Post Office retail counter. We also offer limited Passport walk-in hours at select locations.
First-time passport applications have two types of basic fees, the application acceptance fee and the application processing fee. Passport photos and fees for faster processing are extra. Learn how to calculate fees and what you can use to pay for them.
Use the Online Passport Status System to check your application status if you applied by mail or in person. You may not be able to get a status update for 2 weeks after you apply or renew. During these weeks, your application and supporting documents are on their way to the Department of State. See more information about current processing times on the Department of State page "U.S. Passports."
If you are eligible to renew your passport, please complete Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82 (see completion instructions on the form), and mail your completed renewal application directly to the State Department for processing. To verify if your passport is eligible for renewal by mail, please visit State Department Renew By Mail.
A minor's passport may not be renewed by mail; to renew a minor's passport, you need to submit a new, first-time passport application in person. An adult passport may be renewed by mail if it meets certain requirements.
Apply early for renewals as many countries require that passports be valid for at least 6 months after you enter their country. Learn how to properly prepare your application package and include all the necessary documents so your passport is processed on time.
If you need your passport faster for emergency travel or another special case, you can send your passport application via Priority Mail Express service and pay the State Department fee for faster delivery.
Passport applications for children under 16 have special requirements.
- Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of a child's passport. The best way to give consent is for both parents/guardians to go with the child when applying.
- Children need evidence of citizenship.
- Parents/guardians need proof of parental relationship.
- NOTE: Children's passports are only valid for 5 years. They are not "renewable": When a child's passport expires, you must apply for a new passport for them. When making a passport appointment for a child, please choose "New Passport Only" or "New Passport with Photo Services."
At Passport Photo Online, we bring the passport photo booth to you. Whether you're at home, in the office, or on the go, our website and app make it easy to create official passport photos that meet State Department requirements.
I recently applied to have my passport renewed and needed to update my photos. I downloaded and used the Passport Photo Online app. The whole process was simple, quick and easy, the price was unbeatable. I will definitely be using this service again!
With Passport Photo Online, you can simply use your smartphone to snap a photo or upload an existing one. The service will get your photo ready for paper and digital applications, making sure it meets all the official requirements.
c80f0f1006