Free US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) Photo Checker – Requirements, Size & Online Tool
Take a photo with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here for compliance checking that instantly verifies it meets official government requirements for US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) photo. Get print-ready results in seconds – 100% online.
- Automatic size verification and background color validation
- Head positioning analysis with instant results in seconds
- Print-ready photo generation in multiple formats (JPG and 4x6 print layout)
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US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) Requirements Overview
Learn about US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) photo requirements for United States. Photos must have a white background. Specific head positioning requirements apply. These photos are suitable for printing. Photos can be used for online applications.
Official US Passport Photo Requirements
Source: U.S. Department of State • Last updated: 11/28/2025
Photo Requirements Guide
What Makes a Good Photo
Correct Photo Composition
- •Neutral facial expression
- •White or off-white background
- •Head centered in frame
- •Both eyes clearly visible
- •No shadows on face or background
Proper Child Photo
- •Child facing camera directly
- •Eyes open (slight exception for infants)
- •Plain white background
- •No other people visible
- •Head properly sized in frame
Religious Head Covering
- •Face fully visible from hairline to chin
- •Signed statement included
- •Worn daily for religious reasons
- •No shadows cast on face
- •Plain background maintained
Common Photo Problems
Wrong Background
- •Textured or patterned backgrounds
- •Shadows visible behind subject
- •Colored or gradient backgrounds
- •Objects or walls in background
- •Uneven lighting
Prohibited Head Coverings
- •Baseball caps or casual hats
- •Fashion headbands or accessories
- •Non-religious head coverings
- •Items that obscure hairline
- •Hats worn for style purposes
Digital Alterations
- •Photo editing or retouching
- •Digital filters or effects
- •Image stretching or distortion
- •Color manipulation
- •Background replacement
💡 Note: For official photo examples and additional requirements, visit the official U.S. Department of State documentation:
Photo Specifications
- 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size
- Color photo taken within the last 6 months
- Head must be 1 to 1⅜ inches (25-35 mm) from chin to top of head
- High resolution, not blurry, grainy, or pixelated
- Printed on matte or glossy photo paper
- No digital alterations or filters applied
- No photocopies or scanned images accepted
- No damaged photos (holes, creases, smudges, or tears)
Facial Requirements
- Neutral facial expression or natural smile
- Both eyes open and clearly visible
- Mouth closed (small smile acceptable)
- Directly facing the camera
- Full face in view from hairline to bottom of chin
- Face must be centered in the photo
- Natural skin tone with no shadows on face or background
Background Requirements
- White or off-white background only
- Plain background without texture, patterns, or lines
- No shadows visible on background or face
- Background must be uniform in color and lighting
- No objects, walls, or other people visible in background
Clothing and Accessories
- No eyeglasses or sunglasses (exceptions require medical documentation)
- No hats or head coverings (religious exceptions require signed statement)
- No uniforms or camouflage clothing
- No face coverings, medical masks, or bandanas
- No headphones, earbuds, or wireless devices visible
- Jewelry and facial piercings allowed if they don't obscure facial features
Special Considerations
- Religious head coverings permitted with signed statement that it's worn daily for religious reasons
- Medical head coverings require doctor's note explaining medical necessity
- For infants and young children, eyes don't need to be completely open
- Babies can be photographed lying on white sheet or in car seat with white cover
- No other people should appear in the photo
- Photo must show your current appearance - no old photos
Technical Quality Standards
- Sharp focus with clear details
- Natural lighting with no harsh shadows
- Proper exposure - not too dark or too light
- Natural color balance - no red-eye or color distortion
- Sufficient contrast between subject and background
- Professional photo quality - home snapshots may not meet standards
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using photos older than 6 months
- Wearing eyeglasses in the photo
- Having shadows on face or background
- Using textured or patterned backgrounds
- Photo is too blurry or low resolution
- Head size is too large or too small in frame
- Not facing camera directly
- Smiling too broadly or making facial expressions
How We Check Your US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm)
- Upload your photo — we analyze it against official US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) requirements.
- If something doesn’t meet the rules, our AI fixes it automatically in seconds.
- Download a compliant digital photo or a print-ready 4×6 sheet accepted by photo labs.
What We Check for Compliance
| Official Requirement | How IDPhotoNow Handles It |
|---|---|
| Head size, position & proportions | ✅ AI measurement and alignment checks |
| Eye level and visibility | ✅ Automatic eye-line verification |
| Background color & cleanliness | ✅ Shadow removal and background normalization |
| File size, resolution & DPI | ✅ Output optimized to official limits |
| Print-ready photo layout | ✅ One-click 4×6 print sheet generation |
All checks are based on published government photo requirements.
Try the Free US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) Photo Checker
Upload your photo and see if it meets official requirements. Preview is free — no signup required.
Document Requirements
| Name | US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) |
| Country | United States |
| Document Type | Passport |
| Passport Picture Size | Width: 2in, Height: 2in |
| Resolution (Dpi) | 300 |
| Image Definition Parameters | Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or 50% and 69% of the image's total height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. Make sure the eye height is between 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm – 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. |
| Background Color | |
| Printable? | Yes |
| Suitable For Online Submission? | Yes |
| Web Links To Official Documents |
Frequently Asked Questions About Passport & Visa Photos
Everything you need to know about passport and visa photos
Width: 2in, Height: 2in
Absolutely. With IDPhotoNow, you can take a compliant passport photo right from your phone.
It depends on the requirement. For online submissions, we offer JPG/PNG files. For printed photos, we provide ready-to-print 4x6 print layouts.
We provide a ready-to-print 4×6 inch layout with the correct photo size. You can print it at home or at a store using standard photo paper. ⚠️ Be sure to select "Actual Size" or "100% scale" when printing. Do NOT use "Fit to Page" or "Scale to Fit", as this may distort the size.
It depends on the document and country. Many passport rules require glasses to be removed, but some ID types may allow them if eyes are fully visible.
You can use scissors to carefully cut along the edges of the photo in the printed layout. We place the photo on standard 4×6 inch paper with correct dimensions, so you just need to follow the outlines. For best results, use a ruler or paper cutter for clean edges.
To take a passport photo of a baby or young child, lay them on a plain white sheet or blanket in a well-lit area. Make sure there are no shadows and the child’s face is clearly visible, with eyes open and mouth closed if possible. Avoid using props or having others in the frame. We’ll handle the background and sizing — just upload a clear photo following these tips.