Free tool for this:US passport renewal photo
You can renew a US passport online and upload your own digital photo. The application checks the photo automatically and tells you what to fix. These are the State Department's rules.
File requirements
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Format | JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF |
| File size | Between 54 KB and 10 MB |
| Colour | Colour photo |
| Age | Taken in the last 6 months |
You can crop and reposition the photo inside the application, so you don't need an exact pixel size. The US passport renewal photo page makes a clean 1200 × 1200 crop that stays above the 54 KB minimum.
Photo rules
- Original and unedited: no filters, retouching or other changes, and don't photograph or scan a printed photo.
- Background: plain white or off-white, with no shadows, lines or objects.
- Framing: face the camera, head centred and fully visible, with the bottom of the photo at your shoulders.
- Expression: neutral or a natural smile without teeth, both eyes open.
- Remove glasses, hats, scarves, badges and lanyards. Religious head coverings are allowed if they're one plain colour.
- Sharp: no blur or graininess, and don't send the photo to yourself by text message, which lowers the quality.
Taking the photo at home
- Stand a few feet in front of a plain white wall, facing a window for even light.
- Ask someone to take the photo at eye level, using the phone's normal camera (not portrait mode).
- Transfer the original file to your computer by cable, email or cloud, not by text message.
Because the State Department asks for an unedited photo, don't use background-changing tools for passport photos. Take the photo against a real white wall instead.