How to Make a Passport Photo at Home
To get a U.S. passport you must provide two prints of a recent photograph along with your Social Security card and birth certificate. You may use a digital camera to make a passport photo at home as long as it has good resolution and can produce a clear, sharp image. Follow State Department regulations and you can make a passport photo at home in minutes.
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Things You'll Need
- Camera
- Camera tripod (recommended)
- Lightweight photo quality paper
- Photograph processing software (for digital photos)
Instructions
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Use a good quality film or digital camera. For digital cameras, make sure the picture resolution is good. A blurry or out of focus photo will not be accepted. For best results, mount the camera on a tripod instead of holding it in your hands.
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Be as visible as possible and avoid hats, sunglasses, and other headgear. Exceptions are made for items worn for religious or medical reasons, but you may need to provide documentation. Wear regular street clothing (no uniforms). Look directly at the camera with your eyes open.
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Have the person being photographed sit in front of a white or off-white background in a well lit room. Make sure there are no shadows on the face. Align the image so the head is centered and covers about half the area of the image and take the photograph.
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Print 2 copies of the photo that are exactly 2 by 2 inches in size. Use lightweight photo quality paper (available for printing digital images at any office supply store). The head in the photograph should be about 1 3/8 inches from top to bottom. If you use a film camera and have the prints made, be sure to request the appropriate size and paper stock.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't use old photographs. The State Department requires an original print of a photograph taken within the last 6 months. Photocopies of a print or images from other sources (like a yearbook or magazine article) are not acceptable. The photo must be in color.
