preloadSmiling man sitting at table with open book, his partner taking picture with cell phone in foreground
Tips & tricks

How to take a passport photo at home: a helpful guide

9 mins read
Mike Harvey

Need a new photo for your passport, but prefer to take it at home to save time and effort? Taking a passport photo at home can be both practical and cost-effective. However, it requires attention to detail and strict adherence to precise guidelines. This article will walk you through the steps on how to take a passport photo at home that is sure to be accepted by the relevant authority.

In this post

Can you take your own passport photo?

Yes, you can take your own passport photo at home. However, you must meet specific requirements for the photo to be accepted. Selfies are not accepted. If you are uncomfortable taking your own passport photo, you can let a friend or another person take it for you, or have it taken by a professional photographer.

What is the best way to take a passport photo at home?

I have made a personal research when I had to take my own passport photo at home and I found out that following the official requirements for a passport photo is the easiest and safest way to do it. This detailed video will definitely help you, or you can keep reading, as we’ll explain everything for you.

Size

2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)

Pose

Neutral facial expression.

Background color

White.

Accessories

Wearing glasses, hats or scarves is not allowed.

Official requirements for a passport photo

Your passport photo must meet the following general guidelines:

  • It must be in color and taken within the last 6 months.
  • The background must be plain white or off-white with no shadows, lines, or textures.
  • The photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches (51 millimeters by 51 millimeters).
  • It must be clear and well-lit with no visible pixels, printer dots, or filters commonly used on social media.
  • Your head must be centered and take up most of the frame, sized between 1” and 1.4” (25 and 35 mm).
  • You must face the camera directly with a neutral expression and eyes clearly visible.
  • You must not wear eyeglasses. Even if you wear them daily, you must remove them for a photo.
  • You may not wear headwear unless for religious purposes. Your full face must be visible, with no clothing obscuring the face.
  • In the case of children, no other person is allowed in the photo, and they should face the camera with their eyes open. Your infant’s photo is acceptable if their eyes aren’t entirely open.

Following these requirements will ensure your photo is accepted for your passport application without any issues.

How to match these requirements at home?

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to take a passport photo at home to match the official requirements:

  1. Look for a well-lit area (near windows). Natural light is the best, but use artificial light if necessary.
  2. Find a white or off-white background free from lines, textures, and shadows.
  3. Use a camera or smartphone with the best quality and resolution.
  4. Have someone else take the photo, or use a tripod.
  5. Look at the camera directly, maintaining a neutral expression with your mouth closed.
  6. Ensure your face is centered in the frame.
  7. Take off your sunglasses or headwear unless it’s for religious or medical reasons.
  8. Take several photos to pick the perfect one. Use a timer or remote shutter release to avoid camera shake.
theme_people_passport_photo_correct_gettyimages-936316310_universal_within-usage-period_100265
theme_people_passport_photo_correct_gettyimages-915002556_universal_within-usage-period_100264

Once you have taken the photo, crop the image and adjust the background if necessary to match the size requirements. Use the photo tool to confirm if your photo meets the passport requirements.

Expert Tip

To ensure your face is centered in the frame, we recommend using a tripod or having someone else help you take the photo. This will help to ensure that the photo is taken evenly and that there are no blurry or shaky images. If you have no one to help you, we recommend using your smartphone’s grid feature to align your face with the center crosshair. I had to do that when I was away from home and, and it worked.

Can I take my passport photo with my phone?

Yes, you can take a passport photo at home, conveniently and with your phone. Take it from someone that has done it before. Most smartphones have a camera with a resolution of at least 5 megapixels, sufficient for quality passport photos. However, you should follow the guidelines for background, lighting, facial features, and attire. Selfies are not allowed, so you can use a tripod or have someone help you take the photo.

How do I take a 2×2 passport photo on my iPhone?

Multiple online tools can help you resize the passport photo to the required size of 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). Some free and easy-to-use tools to help you resize a passport photo include Fotor Online Passport Photo Maker, IDPhoto4You, and PhotoAid.

Expert Tip

Use your phone’s primary camera, not the selfie camera, when taking your passport photo to ensure higher image quality, better detail, and adherence to official requirements. And surely you know that the selfie camera is not fully accurate.

Mother taking a photograph on a smartphone of her newborn baby daughter

What should I wear for a passport photo?

One of the most important tips on how to take a passport photo at home is to wear appropriate clothing. What you usually wear on a daily basis, excluding uniforms, that meets the requirements when taking a passport photo is the best solution.

A few recommendations

It’s a small photo, but it’s our presentation to the world. For best results, we recommend:

  • Deep-colored attire or bold-colored for deeper skin tones, so your face stands out against the white backdrop.
  • Modest jewelry. Small necklaces, earrings, and studs that do not glare.
  • Light makeup
  • You can keep your facial piercings if they don’t cover your face
  • Style your hair neatly in a way that does not obscure your face

The mistakes to avoid

When you take a passport photo at home, keep in mind not to choose the following items:

  • A uniform or any camouflage clothing.
  • Strapless tops or tank tops.
  • Clothes that cover the neck, such as turtlenecks, scarves, or high-necked shirts.
  • Glasses.
  • Headphones and other accessories
  • Heavy makeup
  • Hats and head coverings.

Putting on the right attire presents a professional and well-groomed appearance for your travel documents, ensuring a hassle-free application process. You’ll be ready to visit trending international cities around the globe with confidence and style.

A few tips to take a toddler/baby’s passport photo at home

Mother and older daughter take pictures on phone of baby on bed in cozy real bedroom with wicker cradle

Capturing a passport photo of a toddler or baby at home can be a delightful, yet challenging task. Here are some tips before you take a passport photo at home for your child:

  • First, make sure no one else is in the frame. Don’t hold the baby or make someone else do it for you.
  • Get your child’s attention. This would be a real challenge, but I’d recommend using a beloved toy or a playful game, even if it involves making some funny faces or sounds.
  • As for the background, you can lay your baby on their back atop a plain white or off-white sheet. I’d recommend using a car seat covered in a plain white or off-white sheet. It provides additional support for your baby’s head.
  • Beware of shadows on your baby’s face, especially when taking a photo from above while the baby is lying down. This could be somehow tricky, but you can try multiple angles to find the best shadow-free shot of your little one.
  • Lighting is key. Natural light is the best, so try positioning your baby near a window or take them outside for a brighter shot.
  • Centering your baby in the frame is a good rule of thumb, and don’t forget to double-check that their face is in full view
  • Babies and toddlers are unpredictable beings, so take multiple shots to increase your chances of capturing that perfect passport-worthy expression.

Taking a baby/toddler passport photo is not the easiest of tasks, but I hope that some of the above tips will guide you through a stress-free application process for your little one’s travel documents. You can look forward to unforgettable family adventures around the world or even road trips to different states with a rental car.

The common mistakes when taking a passport photo at home

Father taking photo of child at home

When debating on how to take a passport photo at home, you should be aware of the common pitfalls that may lead to photo rejections or delays in your passport application process. Here are common mistakes to avoid when taking a passport photo at home:

  • Using a low-resolution camera.
  • Insufficient light exposure and shadows.
  • Wrong dimensions.
  • Smiling.
  • Using filters commonly used on social media.
  • Closed eyes.
  • Using a non-white background.
  • Inappropriate clothing.
  • Wearing glasses or headwear.
  • Wrong posture.

Expert Tip

Prioritize natural light when taking a passport photo at home. From experience, I know that if you position yourself facing a window on a slightly overcast day or during early morning or late afternoon to achieve soft, diffused light that minimizes harsh shadows and highlights.

Conclusion

Capturing a passport photo at home offers convenience and saves you money. However, you must meet specific requirements for the photo to be accepted. Following the above tips and guidelines will ensure you capture the perfect passport photo for a smooth application process. If you enjoyed this article, you might also want to find out the travel trends for 2023, or discover the best European cities to visit in December.

The foregoing article was last updated on the 24th of October 2023. It does not contain legal advice and is for informational purposes only. KAYAK does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any of the information contained in this article and/or any of the content linked to within it. Always check the official government website of your departure and arrival destinations prior to travel for up-to-date information.
Sources:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html

Travel Hacker BlogTips & tricksHow to take a passport photo at home: a helpful guide

About the author

Mike HarveyMike is a writer who loves outdoor adventure and has a voracious appetite for documentaries. When he's not immersed in crafting compelling narratives, you can find him scaling mountains, kayaking down wild rivers, or hiking through lush forests.
See other articles from this author

Explore more articles

Closeup of group of young adults showing their passports to the camera. They are at a train station, ready for their summer trip.
A dive into the different passport colors and their meaning.
An airport terminal with empty seats and a glimpse of an airplane that just took off through the glass windows.
Do I need a passport to fly domestic? What you should know
Close up of passports stack
What are the world’s most powerful passports, and how does yours rank?
dest_south-africa_cape-town_bo-kaap_gettyimages-1027228758_universal_within-usage-period_88818
Winter warmers: The 9 best warm places to visit in December