Information on Passport Photos
Passport photos have gone from a simple formality to a matter of vital national and international security. As a result, the rules and requirements with regard to passport photos have tightened up a great deal in recent years. The U.S. rules for passports and passport photos are no exception to this.
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Background and Lighting
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The background for any U.S. passport photo must be a single color, such as white or off-white. It must also be entirely uniform with no shadows or deformations. The lighting for the photograph must be bright and uniform.
Composition
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The subject of the photo must appear as he normally appears. This means that if you normally wear glasses you should wear them in the photo. However, you should not wear sunglasses, hats or anything else that might conceal your face in any way. The face in the photo should fill the majority of the photo area, and should be directly facing the camera. It should not be smiling and the eyes should be open.
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Size
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The photo should be two inches square and printed on quality photo paper. The State Department will require two copies of this photo. However, you should make several copies in case you need to order a replacement.
Taking Photo
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While you can take and develop this photo yourself, it is much better to leave it in the hands of a professional photographer. You can also turn to some office supply stores such as FedexKinkos or Staples provide this service.
Current Photo
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Because the State Department wants the photo to accurately reflect your current appearance, the photo must have been taken within six months of the date of your submission of your passport application.
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References
- Photo Credit passport image by isatori from Fotolia.com
