Taking Your Passport Photo

T. Can I take my own passport pictures with my digital camera or do I have to go to a place that specifically takes these portraits?

A. As long as you comply with the requirements of the State Department for passport photos, you should be able to use self-portraits or closeups taken by a friend. For digital images, the images should be taken with a 1-megapixel camera or higher.

You must provide two photographs of the same color, exactly 2 inches by 2 inches in size. In the figure, the size of your head should be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches tall from the top of your hair to the bottom of the chin. Images must have been taken in the last six months and reflects your current appearance. Retouched image is not allowed.

Passport photos should show you the full face view looking directly ahead, centered in front of a white background or off-white and dressed in Ordinary Street. State Department guidelines do not allow hats, uniforms or sunglasses in the photo, although religious garb, prescription eyeglasses, hearing aids and other clothing can be worn daily. Photo out of focus or that describes you squinting or making silly faces will not be accepted.

When printing your passport pictures, use a high resolution photo printer that can accurately produce the image. Photos must be printed on thin photo-quality paper and trimmed to the appropriate size.