Adult US Passport Photo Requirements 2026

US Adult Passport Photo Requirements

Requirement	Specification
Photo size	2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm)
Head size	1–1⅜ inches from chin to crown
Background	Plain white or off-white
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Glasses	❌ Not permitted since 2016
Photo age	Within last 6 months
Clothing	Normal street clothing — no uniforms
Head coverings	Religious/medical reasons only
Format (digital)	JPEG, 600–1200px, max 22MB

Passport Renewal — What Changes for Adults?

If you're renewing a passport you originally got as a child or young adult, remember:

New photo required even if you look similar — photo must be taken within last 6 months
Glasses rules changed in 2016 — if your old passport photo has glasses, new one cannot
Photo must reflect current appearance — significant changes (facial hair, weight changes) are fine

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Common Mistakes Adults Make on Passport Photos

❌ Using an old photo

It's tempting to reuse a good photo from a few years ago. Don't — passport agencies require the photo to have been taken within the last 6 months.

❌ Wearing glasses

Even if you've worn glasses your whole life and always had them in your old passport photos — no glasses are permitted since 2016.

❌ Wearing work/professional clothing

No uniforms, including medical scrubs, police uniforms, or military dress. Plain street clothing only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do adult passport photo requirements differ from child requirements?

The technical specifications (size, background, etc.) are identical. The practical difference is that adults are expected to maintain a neutral expression with both eyes open — the State Department makes some exceptions for very young infants.

How often do adult passport photo requirements change?

Rarely — the most recent major change was the glasses ban in 2016. Requirements have been stable since then. PassportSnap always applies current specifications.