A US passport photo, compliant and ready in 60 seconds.
Take a selfie at home. We size it to the official 2x2 spec, check it against the US rules, and produce a photo ready to use.
Phone selfie
Compliant 2x2Take it at home. No driving to a booth, no waiting in line.
An automatic rule check, then a trained reviewer signs off.
Accepted by the passport office, or your money back.
Your passport photo online in three steps
No app, no appointment, no photo booth. Your phone is all you need.
Take or upload a selfie
Use your phone camera or pick a photo you already have. Stand near a plain wall and we handle the background cleanup and correct sizing.
We check it against the US rules
Your photo is matched to the official requirements, then sized and cropped to the 2x2 spec. A trained reviewer confirms it before fulfillment.
Download or pick up today
Get the digital file in minutes for $5, or collect printed photos at a nearby Walgreens the same day for $9.99.
US passport photo requirements, in plain English
These are the official 2026 specs for a US passport photo. We check your photo against every one of them before you receive your photo.
The US passport photo size is 2 x 2 inches, square, on a plain white background. Get the background, head size, and lighting right and the rest is easy. Confirm the current rules at the official source before you print at home.
Official source: travel.state.gov| Size | 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), square. |
|---|---|
| Head height | 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, filling 50 to 69% of the frame, vertically centered. |
| Eye height | Roughly 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the bottom edge of the photo. |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, with no shadows, textures, lines, or patterns. |
| Color and recency | A color photo taken within the last 6 months that reflects your current appearance. |
| Expression and pose | Neutral, or a natural smile with the mouth closed. Both eyes open, facing the camera straight with no tilt. |
| Eyeglasses | Not allowed. A medical exception requires a signed doctor's statement. |
| Hats and head coverings | None, except daily religious or medical wear, which needs a signed statement. Your full face from hairline to chin must stay visible. |
| Clothing | Everyday clothing. No uniforms. |
| Print quality | High resolution on matte or glossy photo-quality paper, with no holes, creases, or smudges. |
Most common reasons US passport photos get rejected
- Shadows on the face or on the wall behind you
- Head too large or too small in the frame
- A tilt or turn instead of facing straight ahead
- Glasses, a hat, or a busy background
- A blurry or low-resolution file
- An open-mouth smile instead of a neutral expression
- A photo older than six months, or one altered by AI filters
The US State Department has strict regulations on passport photos. Our 100% compliant service will size and crop your photo to spec, confirm it meets the rules, and keep your real appearance intact.
Three tips for a passport photo at home
A plain wall and good light do most of the work. Follow these and your photo passes on the first try.
Stand back from a plain wall
Put about two feet between you and a plain, light wall. The gap keeps your shadow off the background.
Face the camera straight
Keep your head level and look right into the lens. No tilt, no turn, both eyes open.
Use even, natural light
Face a window in daytime so the light lands evenly. Even light means no shadows on your face or the wall.
The cheapest way to a compliant US passport photo
Compare the options an applicant usually weighs. We show the price up front, get prints to you today, and cover the whole family on one order.
| FastPhotofastphoto.co | Drugstore counter Walgreens, CVS, Walmart | Mail-order online service | Fully by hand | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $5 digital, $9.99 printed | About $15 to $18 for prints | Often $18 to $25 | Cost of your own prints |
| How fast you get it | Minutes for the file, same day for prints | While you wait, if a clerk is free | Several days by mail | Up to you |
| Digital file included | Yes, $5 | Extra charge | Extra charge | You export it yourself |
| Same-day printed pickup | Yes, at Walgreens | Yes, in store | No, shipped | No |
| Family pricing | From $2.99 per added person | Full price each | Usually full price each | Not applicable |
| Acceptance guarantee | Reshoot free or full refund | Store policy varies | Varies | None |
Scroll the table sideways on a small screen.
Drugstore prices reflect two 2x2 prints as of mid-2026 and vary by location. Confirm current pricing with your local store.
One price, shown up front
You see the price on the first screen and at every step. No surprise costs at checkout.
A ready-to-use 2x2 file for online renewal or your own printing.
- Compliant 2x2 in, 300 dpi file
- Meets the online renewal upload spec
- Delivered in minutes
Real prints sized to spec, ready to collect at a Walgreens near you today.
- Two printed 2x2 photos
- Same-day pickup at Walgreens
- Digital file included too
Each added family member is $2.99 digital or $5.99 printed. Four printed photos picked up today comes to $27.96.
Accepted, or your money back
If your photo is ever rejected by the passport office, we reshoot it free or refund you in full. No arguing, no fine print.
Fact-checked against State Department standards
US passport photo questions, answered
Need a photo for something else?
Same compliant process, same prices, same-day pickup.
Your US passport photo, ready in 60 seconds
$5 for the digital file, $9.99 printed with same-day Walgreens pickup. See it pass before you pay.
Get your passport photo