US Passport Photo Tool

What is the passport photo size for the US?

The official requirements to take a photo for a passport in the US are mentioned below:

• Image size of 2 x 2 inches identical photos ( 51 x 51 millimeters).
• You can adjust the size using a passport photo cropping tool
• A high-resolution image, not a blurred one
• The image file size should be less than or equal to 240 kb
• It should be in the JPEG file format
• The image must not be a selfie, magazine photo, scanned version, or taken from a low-quality vending machine.

Head size in the photo

To deeply analyze the dimensions of this 2x2-inch photo, we have made the following analysis.

• The head should be between 25 and 35 mm ( i.e., between 1 – 1.4 inches) in circumference from the end of the chin to the top of the head.
• The image should include the head, full face, neck, and upper part of the shoulders.
• The head should be in the middle of the image.

Color Print

The picture should be printed on quality paper. It must not be a black-and-white photo. The image should be a color photo.

Plain Background

A plain white or off-white background of the image is acceptable for a US passport photograph.

How much does a US passport photo cost?

If you are taking a photo on your phone or digital camera, the US passport photo won't cost you anything. However, if you are worried about meeting all the US passport photo requirements and want to take photographs from a professional, it might cost you a few dollars.

Here are some options you can use to get help from professionals to take the right photo for your passport.

Pixelied’s Passport Photo Maker

You can also get your passport photo using any online resource, such as Pixelied’s passport photo app. Here, you just need to upload your image, and the software will remove the background and make all necessary adjustments to make your photo a perfect fit for your US passport.

Pharmacy Photo Centers

To take your passport picture at pharmacy stores across the US might cost you around $15 to $20.

Other Options

Besides these, there are many other places like CVS, Walmart, Post Office, and many other shops to get your passport-sized photographs or visa photos at reasonable prices within the range of $10 to $20.

What are the basic US passport photo requirements?

The primary and basic passport photo requirements for a US passport are discussed below:

Glasses: You cannot wear glasses in a US passport photograph. Similarly, dark glasses, tinted lenses, or prescription lenses are prohibited while capturing a photo of your US passport. It is to avoid anything that may cover a person's eyes. Ensure the eyes are wide open and pupils/irises are visible in the photo.

Hair: Try not to cover your face with hair. Be as natural as possible to avoid any scenario of rejection of your photos.

Head Scarves or Head-covers: Hiding your face using headcovers is generally prohibited. But it is allowed to wear headgear for religious or medical reasons. If you’re wearing religious attire, you must give a signed statement from relevant authorities to prove your stance. Facial piercings are allowed if they don’t change your natural expressions.

Attire: You can wear anything unless it’s a uniform/camouflage attire/too extravagant dress. The hat is also not permissible in the US passport photo. It is not acceptable to wear wireless hands-free devices.

Shadow-free Background: The background acceptable for a US Passport photo can be white or off-white. Be careful that the image doesn't contain any shadows.

If you’ve gone through extensive facial surgery or gender transition in the last six months, then you should take a new passport photo.

Where can I take a biometric US passport photo?

There are many popular ways to take a biometric US passport photo.

Retail and Convenience Stores

Retail and convenience stores are among the best ways to get a biometric US passport-sized photo. Some of the most popular options in this category are Walmart, Costco, and Target. As for Walmart, the price of a passport photo is $7.44, and Costco offers the same 2x2 photos for $14.06. If you want more options, you can head over to Target. The price of passport images at Target ranges between $9.99 to $12.99.

If we are to compare the prices, Walmart is the cheaper option for you. However, the quality of passport images at all three is the same.

Besides their price, their convenience is what makes them so desirable. You can just head to any of the retailers mentioned above and ask them to take your pictures. You can get two digital copies printed with same-day pickup at this price.

Drug Stores and Pharmacies

If you want to get a passport photo that is aligned with the government requirements on the official website of the U.S. Department of State, you can head over to CVS Health or Walmart.

Furthermore, the cost of a U.S. passport size photo at CVS is around $16.99. Walgreens offers the same 2x2 photos for $16.99. The price is the same, and so is the quality.

Photo Studios and Post Office

American passport-size photos can also be taken from photo studios that are usually available in almost every locality in America. They can take your pictures and print them for you at the same price. A passport photo from photo studios can cost anywhere between $10 to $20.

Another option for a biometric US passport photo is the United States Post Office (USPS). The cost of a passport photo at the post office is $15, according to the official website of USPS.

Pixelied’s Passport Photo Tool

Your last and most cost-friendly option is Pixelied’s photo tool for passport-size images. Pixelied is the best online US passport photo maker. You can capture a picture and print it in a few minutes without leaving your house only if you have the following tools available:

1. A working mobile phone camera or digital camera
2. A white, plain background with good lighting
3. An internet connection and a browser
4. A printer, glossy paper, and a pair of scissors

How to print an American passport picture?

If you want to print an American passport photo, follow the three simple steps:

Step 1: Things You Will Need

1. A working mobile phone camera or digital camera
2. A laptop or desktop with a strong internet connection
3. A web or mobile browser
4. A color printer
5. A glossy photo-quality paper for printing

Step 2: Taking a Photo

1. Take a photo of yourself using a mobile camera or digital camera
2. If you have taken a picture, upload it on Pixelied’s website to crop it to a 2 x 2 photo
3. Make sure the passport is in color, with a plain white background, and follows all the guidelines mentioned on the U.S. Department of State’s website

Step 3: Print a Photo

1. Set the paper on the printer
2. Print the photos on the paper
3. Then, cut the images as per the outline

Many people print their own passport pictures because the ones they get from outside are either expensive or unsatisfactory. Not to mention, taking a passport photo at home and then getting it printed from outside is also convenient and time-saving. Plus, it saves you the embarrassment of asking the photographer for retakes until you are completely satisfied with the result.

You can avoid all of it with a simple trick: get your photo taken from Pixelied’s photo tool, and then get the printed images delivered to your doorstep.

US passport picture locations near me

The best way to find nearby US passport photo locations is to follow these steps:

1. Turn on location from your device, either a mobile phone or a computer.
2. If you are using an Android phone, open the Google Maps application.
3. If you do not have the application installed or use a computer, you can open Google Maps on the browser.
4. Type ‘US Passport Picture Locations’ in the search bar and press enter or click the magnifying glass to carry your search.
5. A list of all the nearby passport photo locations will appear on the map with a red location mark.

Is it allowed to edit a passport photo in photo editors?

The passport photo should be in its original form without applying any filters. By using filters, sometimes the images might become unrecognizable. It is suggested not to apply filters that may create problems in facial recognition.

A natural look is essential for a passport photo. If you don’t like the picture, take a new one. Avoid using editing apps to use filters for your passport photographs.

How to take a passport photo at home using a phone?

If you want to take a passport photo at home using a phone, let’s start by discussing what you need.

Tools You Will Need for a Passport Photo at Home

1. A mobile phone with a high-quality camera
2. A working internet connection with a browser
3. A photo processing app such as Pixelied
4. A tripod or any stable surface to support and keep your phone steady

Now that you have all the tools, let’s look at how you can capture a photo with these tools.

Steps For Taking a Passport Photo Using a Phone

1. Set your smartphone on a tripod. Ensure the lighting is good, the background is plain white, free of shadows, and you’re facing the camera.
2. It is best to mark your position where you will stand so you can skip retakes.
3. Once the phone has been set up, return to your marked area. Take a photo with your smartphone using the Bluetooth device.
4. Open Pixelied’s passport maker and upload the photo on the website.
5. Your passport photo will be ready in a few seconds!

People often take passport pictures using their smartphones because it is convenient. Not to mention, taking a passport photo at home using a phone is comparatively cheaper than getting it from outside. Besides convenience and cost-saving, passport pictures at home are much more time-saying. Some people also prefer taking a passport photo at home because it is much more hygienic.

Overall, no matter how great photo kiosks, digital studios, or other facilities are, they may not offer the same perks as taking a passport photo at home.