The Easiest Way To Take a Digital Passport Photo at Home

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How To Take a Digital Passport Photo Effortlessly

To travel the world, the first thing you need to have is a passport. To get a valid passport, you need to include appropriate passport photos in your application.

In this text, DoNotPay will guide you through the process of taking a digital passport photo. to ease the process and get practical advice on:

What Is a Digital Photo on a Passport?

You can provide a digital photo from your phone or camera and have it printed on your passport. There are specific digital image requirements that need to be taken into account:

  1. The image dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio—the minimum and maximum acceptable dimensions are 600 x 600 pixels and 1200 x 1200 pixels, respectively
  2. The image should be 24 bits per pixel in sRGB color space
  3. The file should be saved in JPEG file format
  4. The size of the image should not be more than 240 kB
  5. In case the image is larger and needs to be compressed, the compression ratio needs to be less than or equal to 20:1

In case you already have a printed photo, make sure it is 2 x 2 inches and scanned at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch.

Requirements for a Passport Application Photo

It is quite easy to take your own passport photo if you are acquainted with the digital photo requirements. Here is an overview of some crucial conditions when taking the picture:

  • The photograph must be taken within the last six months
  • The measurement of the photograph should be 2 x 2 inches (5 x 5 cm)
  • The applicant’s head in the photography must fall between 1 and 1 ⅜ inches (2.5 to 3.5 cm) vertically
  • The photo should be taken in front of a white background
  • You should be facing the camera directly
  • Both of your ears need to be visible

If you’re taking the photo using your phone, you’re not allowed to take a selfie.

How To Get a Digital Passport Photo

To take a digital photo, here are the steps that you should follow:

  1. Find a white background in your house—it can be a wall or a door
  2. Set up good lighting so that the picture comes out clear
  3. Set up the timer on your camera device, or ask someone to take the picture for you
  4. Sit straight, directly in front of the camera, with a neutral expression.

Don’t look sullen or grim. You can’t show your teeth, but you can give a slight smile. Make sure not to use any filters or enhancers to change your features. Your passport application will automatically be rejected if you do.

Take multiple photos so that you can choose the most suitable option.

What To Wear When Taking Digital Passport Pictures

You want to look good in your passport picture because it is going to be your identity proof for the next decade. The State Department has set certain regulations on what you can and cannot wear in the photo, as mentioned in the table below:

Can You WearYes/No
Prescription glassesNo, especially if you have a glare on them. In case you can’t take off your glasses due to medical reasons, take a signed note from your doctor
Sunglasses or tinted glassesNo
HatNo, unless you wear it for religious or medical reasons. In either case, you need to provide a signed statement to an official
Head covering or scarfNo. If the head covering is required for religious reasons, you should provide a signed statement that you cannot take it off for religious reasons
UniformNo. Both children and adults cannot wear uniforms or camouflage attire
Face maskNo. If you’re worried about social distancing, you can request your photographer to maintain a distance of six feet
MakeupYes, since you can’t add filters or retouch your photo
Hair that covers your earsNo. Your hair should either be tied neatly or brushed back behind your shoulders so that your ears are visible. Your hair should not cover any part of your face
Business attireYes, especially if you’re going on a business trip
Headphones or wireless devicesNo
JewelryYes, but only if it is a permanent facial piercing that does not obstruct your facial features

Try not to wear tank tops or shirts with a low neckline because it might seem like you’re naked if the picture gets cropped. Since it is mandatory to have a white background, try wearing darker colors to stand out.

Use DoNotPay To Create the Perfect Passport Photo at Home

Why go through the hassle of going outside to get your photo taken when you can do it at home yourself? With our AI-powered technology, DoNotPay can make the necessary adjustments to fulfill the passport photo requirements. Here is a list of straightforward instructions you need to follow:

  1. in your web browser
  2. Type Passport Photos in the search bar
  3. Take a picture or upload an existing one

DoNotPay’s AI-powered product will adjust the picture to meet the digital photo requirements and email it to you. In case you want a physical copy, we can mail two copies to you. We offer economy, expedited, and rush shipping options, depending on the urgency of your application.

Find your place of residence in the table below to see where you can have your passport photo taken:

San DiegoSacramentoBostonAlbuquerqueRaleigh
HoustonAtlantaPhoenixSan FranciscoDenver
CincinnatiRochesterLos AngelesColumbusScottsdale
HonoluluMinneapolisChicagoTallahasseeKansas City
New York CityPortlandPhiladelphiaAustinRockville
SeattleCharlestonSan JoseSan AntonioCharlotte
HerndonColvilleIndianapolisLas VegasBrooklyn

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