PassportPhotoFactory - Create Compliant Passport Photos Instantly

How to Take a Perfect
Passport Photo at Home

Everything you need to know — from lighting and background to posing babies and avoiding the mistakes that get photos rejected.

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Four Things to Get Right

Nail these and your photo will pass on the first try

1. Background

Plain white or off-white wall. No patterns, posters, or objects.

  • Stand 2+ feet from the wall to avoid shadows
  • A white bedsheet hung flat works great
  • Wear clothing that contrasts (no white tops)
2. Lighting

Even, natural light on your face. No harsh shadows.

  • Face a window for soft, even illumination
  • Avoid overhead-only light (creates under-eye shadows)
  • No flash — it causes glare and washed-out skin
3. Camera

Phone rear camera at eye level, ~5 feet away.

  • Rear camera only — much sharper than selfie cam
  • Have someone take it, or use a tripod + timer
  • No selfies — arm's length causes distortion
4. Your Pose

Straight ahead, neutral expression, nothing on your face.

  • Both eyes open, mouth closed, no smile
  • Remove glasses, hats, and headphones
  • Include head, neck, and top of shoulders

Common Mistakes That Get Photos Rejected

Shadows on face or background

Stand away from the wall, face a window, and turn off overhead lights that cast shadows under your eyes or nose.

Head tilted or turned

Look straight at the camera. Imagine balancing a book on your head — chin level, eyes forward.

Wearing glasses

Since 2016, the US State Department does not allow glasses in passport photos — not even prescription lenses.

Smiling or mouth open

Keep a neutral expression. Think "relaxed" — you don't need to look stern, just don't smile.

Using the selfie camera

Front-facing cameras are lower resolution and add barrel distortion. Always use the rear camera.

Blurry or low-resolution photo

Tap to focus on your face before shooting. Hold the phone steady or use a tripod. Make sure the room is well-lit.

See the Difference

Non-Compliant — Mouth Open
Non-compliant passport photo example showing mouth open and AI feedback
Compliant — All 8 Checks Passed
Compliant passport photo example with all requirements met

Screenshots from our AI Photo Coach — you'll see this same feedback as you take your photo

Baby & Toddler Passport Photos

The hardest passport photo to get right — here's how parents do it at home

1
The Floor Method

Lay baby on a white sheet on the floor. Stand directly above and photograph downward. The flat surface keeps them still and the white sheet becomes the background.

2
The Couch Corner Trick

Prop the baby in a couch corner or car seat draped with a white cloth. The support keeps them upright and facing forward. Our AI removes the background automatically.

3
Take Many Shots

Babies won't hold still. Take 20-30 photos — you only need one with eyes open and mouth closed. With unlimited retakes at home, there's no pressure.

At home, it's your own mini photoshoot. No rushing, no cranky baby in a fluorescent-lit store. Keep trying until you get a photo you love.

US Passport Photo Requirements

Requirement Specification
Size2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm)
Head Height1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown
RecencyTaken within the last 6 months
BackgroundPlain white or off-white, no shadows
Color & QualityColor photo, high resolution, no filters
ExpressionNeutral — both eyes open, mouth closed
GlassesNot allowed (since November 2016)
Head CoveringsNot allowed unless religious or medical

Need requirements for another country? See our full country guide.

Our AI Checks All 8 Points

Before you pay, our Photo Coach verifies:

Background
Head position
Lighting
Expression
Eye visibility
Face framing
Image quality
No filters

If something's wrong, we tell you exactly what to fix — in plain English, not error codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — and we recommend it. Modern phone rear cameras produce more than enough resolution for passport photos. The key is to use the rear camera (not the selfie camera), hold the phone at eye level about 5 feet away, and have someone else take the photo or use a tripod with a self-timer.

A plain white or off-white surface with no patterns, textures, or objects. A blank wall works well. If your wall isn't white, hang a white bedsheet and pull it taut so there are no wrinkles. Stand at least 2 feet away from the background to prevent your body from casting shadows on it.

No. The US State Department requires a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Both eyes must be open and clearly visible. You don't need to look stern — just relaxed and natural without a smile.

No. Since November 2016, the US State Department does not allow glasses in passport photos — including prescription glasses and transition lenses. Remove all eyewear before taking your photo. The only exception is if you have a signed medical statement.

The easiest method: lay the baby on a white sheet or blanket on the floor and photograph from directly above. Alternatively, prop them in a couch corner or car seat draped with a white cloth. Take many shots (20-30) since babies move constantly — you only need one frame where their eyes are open and mouth is closed. Our AI removes the background automatically, so the setup doesn't need to be perfect.

The most common reasons are: shadows on the face or background, incorrect head size or position, glasses or hats visible, mouth open or smiling, blurry or low-resolution image, and wrong background color. Our AI Photo Coach checks all 8 compliance points and tells you exactly what to fix before you submit — so rejections don't happen.

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Our AI Photo Coach guides you step by step. Try unlimited times until you ❤️ your photo.

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