Why Passport Photos Get Rejected (and How to Avoid It)
In this guide
Quick answer: Passport photos are most often rejected because of the wrong size or head position, shadows or an off-white background that is not plain, glasses or head coverings without the required documentation, a non-neutral expression, a blurry or low-quality print, or digital editing. Using the checklist below before you submit avoids most rejections. The US State Department says unacceptable photos are the main reason passport applications are put on hold.
A rejected photo can delay a passport renewal, a visa application or a trip. This guide is based on the official US passport photo rules. Other countries have their own sizes and rules (for example, photo dimensions differ), so always check your own passport authority before you print.
The top reasons passport photos are rejected
| Problem | What the rules say | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong size or head size | 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm); head from chin to top must measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm). | Stand several feet from the camera. Too close or too far makes the head the wrong size. |
| Old photo | Taken within the last 6 months. | Take a new photo; do not reuse an old one. |
| Background not plain | Plain white or off-white with no shadows, texture, lines or objects. | Hang a white sheet if your wall is coloured. |
| Shadows or poor lighting | Even lighting across the face; no overhead or side lighting that casts shadows; not over or underexposed. | Face a window in daylight; avoid overhead bulbs. |
| Glasses | Remove all eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted lenses. If medical reasons prevent removal, include a signed doctor’s note. | Take them off, including from your head. |
| Hats and head coverings | Must be removed unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons, with a signed statement. The face must be fully visible with no shadows on it. | Include the required signed statement. |
| Expression and pose | Face the camera directly, head level, neutral expression, eyes open and mouth closed. A smile is allowed if eyes are open and mouth is closed. | Relax your face, look at the lens. |
| Eyes not fully visible | The coloured part of each eye must show; hair must not cover them. | Move hair away from your eyes. |
| Low quality print | High-resolution colour, not blurry, grainy or pixelated; photo-quality paper; no red-eye, creases or smudges. Photocopies and scans are not accepted. | Use the camera’s highest quality and print at a photo-quality lab. |
| Editing or filters | Submit the original, unedited photo. Apps, filters and retouching that change appearance, background or outline are not allowed; photos are checked for alteration. | Do not use any app or filter. |
| Clothing and accessories | No uniforms, uniform-like clothing or camouflage. No headphones or wireless devices in or on your ears. Jewellery is fine if it does not hide your face. | Wear everyday clothes and remove earbuds. |
How to take a passport photo at home
- Pick the background. Use a plain white or off-white wall, or cover a coloured wall with a white sheet or blanket.
- Find even light. Face a window in daylight or use soft lighting in front of you. Avoid overhead lights and light from one side.
- Set the distance. Have the camera held several feet away at eye level, with you and the background separated so there are no shadows.
- Remove glasses, hats and earphones.
- Pose. Face the camera, head level, shoulders square, neutral expression or a closed-mouth smile, eyes open.
- Use the highest camera quality and take several shots.
- Do not edit. Print the original on matte or glossy photo-quality paper at the correct size.
Babies and toddlers
Place the child on a plain white or off-white sheet; a car seat can be covered with the sheet. There should be no shadows on the face and no other people in the photo. The child should face the camera with a neutral expression and a fully visible face; hands, pacifiers and other objects must not block it. A baby’s eyes may be partly closed; all other children must have their eyes open.
Do you need a new photo if your appearance changes?
You do not need a new passport for growing a beard, changing hair colour or normal ageing. You do need a new passport for significant facial surgery or trauma, adding or removing many large facial piercings or tattoos, or significant weight loss or gain.
Passport photos are only one part of the paperwork
A photo problem is easy to fix; a missing document is harder. See our checklist of documents to gather before moving abroad so your passport and other papers are ready on time. If your passport goes missing once you are overseas, you will need new photos again: read what to do if your passport is lost or stolen abroad.
Frequently asked questions
Can I smile in my passport photo?
Under the US rules, yes, as long as your eyes are open and your mouth is closed. A neutral expression is the safest choice.
Can I use a photo from my phone?
You can take it with a phone if it meets all the rules and is high quality, unedited, and printed properly. Check your passport authority for the exact digital upload rules, as this page’s source does not list digital file specifications.
Can I wear glasses if I always do?
Not under the US rules. You must remove them unless you have a signed doctor’s note for a medical reason.
What if my head covering is religious?
Include a signed statement that it is religious attire worn daily in public. It must leave your full face visible, cast no shadows, be a solid colour and have no patterns or small holes.
Key takeaways
- Size, background, lighting, expression and print quality cause most rejections.
- Never edit or filter the photo.
- Remove glasses and earphones; head coverings need a signed statement.
- Check your own country’s rules, as sizes differ.
Related guides
- The moving abroad checklist
- Documents you need to move abroad
- Lost or stolen passport abroad
- How to avoid visa and job offer scams
This article is based on US passport photo requirements and is general information. Rules differ by country and can change, so check the official passport authority before you print. Last updated: October 2026.
Sources
- US Department of State: Passport photo requirements