Digital passport photo for online renewal
Online renewal asks for a square colour JPEG instead of printed photos. Make it here: the file comes out 1200 × 1200 pixels with the head at the right size and a plain white background.
- 1200 × 1200 px digital
- White or off-white background
Digital passport photo for online renewal
or drag it here. JPG, PNG or WebP from your phone or computer.
Requirements
Checks
Your photo stays on this device. Nothing is uploaded to our server.
Digital passport photo for US online renewal requirements
| Digital file | 1200 × 1200 px, JPEG |
|---|---|
| Head height | 50–69% of the photo height |
| Eye height | 56–69% up from the bottom |
| Background | White or off-white |
| File size | 54 KB to 10 MB |
| Colour | Colour photo, sharp and evenly lit |
Official source: U.S. Department of State: renew your passport online. Rules can change, so check it before you apply.
The online renewal form checks the upload automatically and a person reviews it later. Most refusals are for the same few reasons: shadows on the wall, a cropped head, a tilted face, or a photo that is clearly a selfie at arm's length.
You still need to follow the same rules as a printed photo: neutral expression, eyes open, no glasses, and a photo taken in the last 6 months. The only difference is the format.
How to take the photo
Find a plain, light wall
Stand about half a metre in front of it so your shadow falls behind you, not on the wall around your head.
Face the light
Daylight from a window in front of you works best. Avoid overhead lights that cast shadows under the eyes.
Have someone take it at eye level
The camera should be about 1.2 m (4 ft) away, level with your eyes. Leave space above your head and include your shoulders.
Crop it here
Add the photo above, check that the top of your head and your chin sit on the red lines, and download.
Tips for this document
- Use the original photo from your phone, not a screenshot or a photo of a printed picture.
- Keep the whole head and the top of the shoulders in the frame before you crop.
- Don't apply beauty filters or portrait-mode blur. Edited photos are refused.
Common reasons photos are rejected
- Correct
- Head too small
- Head too large
- Head tilted
- Shadow behind
- Busy background
Questions people ask
What size should the digital photo be?
Square, at least 600 × 600 pixels. The tool exports 1200 × 1200, which is well inside the accepted range.
Can I use the same file for a printed application?
Use the print sheet download for mailed applications. It places 2 × 2 inch photos on a 4 × 6 print at the correct size.