Taking a passport photo isn’t the same as snapping a selfie for social media – to be accepted, passport application photos must fulfill strict standards. Photo errors can prolong the time it takes for an application to be accepted, or they can halt the acceptance process altogether. Before packing and shipping your passport application at a reputable mailing service, have a look at our helpful guide for taking a great passport photo.
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Scope Out a Good Photo Location
The U.S. Department of State requires a white or off-white background for passport photos. Find a place in your home or elsewhere with a flat white wall and good, bright lighting. You will need to steer clear of shadows and poor lighting – it is important that the photo is an accurate and clear representation of what you look like.
Wear Proper Attire
It is recommended that you wear something simple but representative of your daily attire. Do not wear uniforms, camouflage, headphones, hats, or glasses. If headwear or glasses cannot be removed for religious or medical reasons, you must submit a signed statement or doctor’s statement.
Pose Naturally
For the photograph, pose facing the camera head-on. Relax your face and jaw muscles, then smile naturally while looking into the camera. Keep in mind that selfies won’t work for passport photos! Have someone else take the photograph for you, or use a tripod to take the photo from a few feet away.
Properly Crop and Size
Passport photos are 2×2 inches and must be printed on photo paper – either matte or glossy will work. Crop the photo so that your head is centered and fully visible. As a general rule, your head should take up about an inch to an inch and a half of space in the photograph.
Make it High-Quality
This photograph is going to be on your passport for ten years – you want to make it a good one! The photo should be high resolution with no printer dots or blurred spaces. The photo paper itself should be undamaged and free from smudges, wrinkles, folds, or holes.
Avoid Retouching
Your passport photograph is meant to look like you. Anything that alters your appearance, including filters or retouching software, is prohibited. The color photo should be bright but not overexposed, without shadows, and clean looking. To see examples of acceptable passport photos, check out this page from Travel.State.Gov.
Packing and Shipping Passport Photos
After you have snapped the perfect photograph, you will need to ship the photo and required documents to a passport agency or acceptance facility. Mail Boxes Times can securely package and ship your renewal application. We ship all over the United States and take care to ensure that your packages arrive at their destination undamaged and in a timely manner.
Shipping or Passport Questions?
Mail Boxes Times is here to make packing and shipping easy. Our wide variety of delivery options can help you expedite your passport application so you can get it as soon as you need it! Give us a call at (310) 276-5076 or email us at info@mailboxestimes.com to learn more about what we can do for you.