ByThe Complete Guide on How To Scan a Passport Photo
Many processes that require a passport-size photo are now completed online.
While you have to submit passport applications in hard format, you may need your passport photo in digital format for other purposes.
In these cases, you will need to scan your passport photo without losing color, clarity, or resolution.
DoNotPay brings you the ultimate guide on how to scan a passport photo to make sure it complies with the requirements.
What Are the Requirements for a Passport Photo?
The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs has strict rules about passport photos, as follows:
- Photo dimensions
- Background
- Expression and composition
- Clothing and accessories
Photo Dimensions
Your passport photos must measure exactly 2 x 2” (51 mm x 51 mm). Your head needs to be in the center of the photo and should be between 1 and 1 3/8” (2.5 cm and 3.5 cm) when measured vertically.
Background
The photo background must be white and non-textured.
Expression and Composition
You have to look straight into the camera with a neutral expression, making sure that your:
- Eyes are open
- Mouth is closed
Style your hair in a way that you expose as much of your face as possible.
Clothing and Accessories
Neutral colors are best, and you are not allowed to wear anything on your head unless it is for:
- Religious reasons, in which case you need to provide a signed statement explaining your affiliation to a recognized religion
- Medical grounds, but this must be confirmed in writing by a doctor
Glasses, tinted lenses, and sunglasses are not allowed.
Where Can I Get Passport Photos?
Passport photos must be less than six months old, so you may need to have a new photo taken.
You can get passport photos from many stores and offices, such as the following:
- Retail outlets, like Walmart or Target
- Pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens
- Courier services, such as UPS, USPS, or FedEx
- U.S. passport offices, usually located within post offices
- AAA stores
How Much Do Passport Photos Cost?
The cost of getting your photo taken and printed in the above-mentioned places is:
- Walmart—$7.44
- Target—$12.99
- CVS photo—$14.99
- Walgreens—$14.99
- UPS stores—$11.99
- USPS—$15
- FedEx—$14.95
- AAA—between $10 and $15, depending on your membership level
As an alternative, you can take your own passport photo at home.
You will need a good cell phone, tablet, or camera, but you will have a ready-made digital photo that you don’t need to scan.
How To Scan a Passport-Size Photo
Once you are certain that your photo meets the requirements above, you can go about the process of scanning it.
The scanner settings you will need are as follows:
| Scanner Setting | Explanation |
| Equipment | Make sure the scanner glass is clean and free from any blemishes that might show up on your scan |
| Software | Use either the scanning software provided with your scanner or built-in software such as Windows Fax and Scan |
| Resolution | Set the scan resolution to 600 dots per inch (DPI) or more |
| Size | Scan the photo at its original size, and select the Preview option. If you are happy that the preview looks acceptable and has captured the whole image, you can complete the scan |
| Saving | Save the scan either as a JPEG or a PNG file to enable you to crop and edit it afterward |
Once you have saved your scanned passport photo, you will need to resize it to exactly 2 x 2” (51 mm x 51 mm).
You can resize the scan using Paint, Paint 3D, or an online photo editing tool. All you have to do is:
- Open the file in your preferred app
- Select Resize
- Choose inches or centimeters as the measurement unit (not pixels)
- Type in the correct dimensions
Save your file under an easily recognizable name to make sure you don’t choose the wrong one to upload to whichever website needs your passport photo.
If you need to print your photo for your passport application, you can use the saved scan to print onto glossy or matte photo paper.
Do you need to scan a passport photo but don’t want the bother of resizing and cropping it? DoNotPay has the solution!
Our Passport Photos feature will do all the work for you and !
Get Your Digital Passport Photo Easily With DoNotPay
DoNotPay can take all the pain out of cropping, editing, and resizing your scanned passport photo.
To use our service, all you need to do is:
- Click on our Passport Photos product
- Take a photo and upload it
- Indicate whether you want to receive two printed copies sent via mail
We will do the rest! If you need to take a different photo, we will let you know, but otherwise, you will receive your passport photo quickly!
Find your place of residence in the table below to see where you can have your passport photo taken:
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