How to take a US passport or visa photo at home
A good original photo is the difference between a 30-second fix and a retake. Follow these steps.
You do not need a studio. A phone, a window and a plain wall are enough. The two things editing cannot fix are blur and a turned head, so get those right when you shoot.
Before you start
- Pick a spot facing a window with soft daylight. Avoid direct sun and avoid standing with the window behind you.
- Stand about 1 foot (30 cm) from a plain wall, ideally white or light, to avoid shadows behind you.
- Wear everyday clothes in a color that contrasts with a white background (avoid white shirts). No uniforms.
- Remove glasses, hats and headphones. Pull hair back so your face and both ears are clear.
Taking the photo
- Ask a friend to take it, or prop your phone on a stack of books at eye level. Selfie-stick selfies tend to distort the face.
- Use the rear camera from about 3 to 4 feet (1 meter) away. Do not use zoom.
- Turn off all filters, beauty modes and HDR effects. Edits that change your appearance are not allowed.
- Look straight at the lens with a neutral expression, mouth closed and both eyes open.
- Keep your head level and square to the camera. Include your head and shoulders with some space around them.
- Take several photos and choose the sharpest. Tap your face on the screen to focus.
What you do not need to worry about
For a US passport photo, the background has to be right in the original photo: the State Department says to submit the original, unedited photo, with no background changes. Use a white wall or hang a white sheet. Our passport photo maker crops and sizes your original without editing it, and tells you if anything needs a retake. (For visa photos, the visa photo maker can also replace the background.) Upload your best photo to the US passport photo maker or US visa photo maker.
Sources: U.S. Department of State: visa photos and passport photos. Always confirm on the official site before you submit.