Imagine waiting weeks for your passport, only to get a rejection because of a small shadow or the wrong background. It happens more often than you’d think — over 200,000 U.S. applications face delays yearly due to photo issues. A simple mistake can cost you extra time, money, and stress. But don’t worry! In this article, we’ll break down the most common reasons passport photos get rejected, so you can avoid these pitfalls and get your application approved the first time!
Last update:2/28/2025
What happens if a U.S. passport photo is rejected?
If a U.S. passport photo is rejected, the applicant will receive a formal notification outlining the specific reasons for the rejection. The notice will also provide detailed instructions on correcting the photo to meet the required standards. Applicants have 90 days to submit a revised photo without incurring any additional fees.
Examples & Reasons for Rejected US Passport Photos
Every year, thousands of passport applications face delays due to non-compliant photos. According to the U.S. Embassy, more than 200,000 passport photos were rejected last year because of poor quality, making it difficult to clearly identify applicants. Some of the most common reasons for rejection include:
- Wearing eyeglasses – Causes glare on the lenses, shadows on the face, or obstructs part of the eyes.
- Improper lighting – Shadows, reflections, or overexposure can make facial features unclear.
- Incorrect sizing – Photos that are too small, too large, or do not fit biometric requirements.
- Facial expressions – Smiling, frowning, or not having a neutral expression can lead to rejection.
- Poor image quality – Blurry, grainy, or pixelated images fail to meet passport standards.
- Incorrect background – Backgrounds that are not plain white or off-white can cause issues.
- Head positioning – Tilting the head, improper framing, or not facing the camera straight-on.
1. Shadows and lighting
- Shadows: Shadows across your face, neck, or background can obscure facial features and make it difficult to obtain a clear, accurate image. Even shadows cast by your ears should be minimal.
- Lighting: Poor lighting can result in a photo that’s too dark or too bright. In a dark photo, details like your eyes and skin tone won’t be visible. In an overexposed photo, your face might appear washed out.
Our Pro tip!
- Use natural light facing you. Avoid harsh shadows by standing near a window on a cloudy day. If using artificial light, diffuse it with a white sheet for even illumination.
2. Glasses
- Glasses can cause glare, reflections, or shadows that obscure your eyes. If you wear glasses daily, make sure the frames don’t cover any part of your eyes and that there’s no glare on the lenses. Tinted or dark glasses are not allowed unless medically necessary.
Our Pro tip!
When taking a photo for your green card, consider removing your glasses if possible to avoid the risk of glare or lens reflections. If you must wear them, position lighting sources to minimize reflections and ensure your eyes are clearly visible.
3. Size & position
- Your passport photo must be 2×2 inches (51x51mm) and your head should occupy about 70-80% of the frame. If your photo is too small, too large, or if your head is not centered, it may be rejected.
Our Pro tip!
Before taking the photo, use a template or guide to ensure your head is properly positioned within the frame. This will help avoid common mistakes like being too close to the camera or off-center.
3. Pose & Expression
- Your face must be directly facing the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open. Smiling, frowning, or any other expression that distorts your features can lead to rejection. Your head should not be tilted or turned to the side.
Our Pro tip!
Practice your pose in a mirror before taking the photo. Aim for a natural, relaxed look with a straight posture. Keep your eyes open and look directly at the camera to ensure your face is symmetrical.
4. Hats & Hair
- Hats, headbands, and other head coverings are not allowed unless worn for religious or medical reasons. Even then, they must not cast shadows on your face or cover any part of your face. Your hair should not cover your eyes, eyebrows, or any part of your face.
Our Pro tip!
If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons, adjust it to avoid shadows on your face. For others, make sure your hair is neatly styled and away from your face to keep your facial features visible.
5. Background
- The background of your passport photo should be plain white or off-white. Any patterns, textures, or shadows in the background can lead to rejection. The background should also have a clear contrast with your face and clothing.
Our Pro tip!
Use a solid-colored, light background for your photo. Ensure there are no shadows or textures behind you. Natural light can help achieve a clear contrast without shadows.
6. Resolution and Quality
- Low-resolution or blurry photos will be rejected. Your photo should be clear, sharp, and in focus. It should also be printed on high-quality photo paper with no creases, tears, or smudges.
Our Pro tip!
Always use a high-quality camera for taking passport photos. Check the camera settings to ensure they are suited for high-resolution photos. Print the photo on professional-grade photo paper to avoid any quality issues.
8. Jewelry & makeup
- Avoid wearing large or distracting jewelry that covers any part of your face. Keep makeup minimal and natural-looking. Heavy makeup that alters your appearance significantly can lead to rejection.
Our Pro tip!
Opt for simple, subtle makeup that enhances your features without altering your natural appearance. Remove large or reflective jewelry that might catch the camera’s flash or obscure your features.
Traditional photo booths and manual photography often fail to meet these strict guidelines, leading to retakes and delays. AI-powered solutions like Smartphone iD help prevent such issues by automatically verifying photo compliance, ensuring a faster and smoother passport application process.
Examples of Rejected Passport Photos for a Baby
Below you can see what sort of photo will be rejected when submitting a passport application for a baby.
Common reasons for baby passport photo rejection from the above 6 photos include:( from left to right)
- The child’s pacifier blocks a portion of the face.
- The background is not plain, another person is in the photo, and part of the child’s face is blocked.
- The child is not facing forward.
- The child has an exaggerated facial expression.
- The child’s face is blocked by hands.
- Shadows or poor lighting obscure the baby’s facial features
Other common reasons
- Baby’s eyes are closed or not clearly visible
- Baby’s head is not centered or takes up less than 70-80% of the frame
- Baby’s face is partially covered by a hat, blanket, or other object
- Background is not plain white or off-white
Our Pro tip!
Lay your baby on a white sheet or blanket and ensure their face is clearly visible and evenly lit. Use toys or soft noises to keep their attention and capture a photo with their eyes open.
Bonus tip!
Use our passport photo checker to avoid rejections
Examples of Approved Passport Photo Adult & Baby
See below to find out what sort of photo will be accepted when submitting your passport application for adults & babies.
How to Make Sure Your Photo Will Not Get Rejected?
It can be a little difficult to get your passport photo right, however, it’s entirely possible with some proper guidance. The best way to get your passport photo perfect is to take your photo using Smartphone iD.
Not only will you receive professional guidance from start to finish, but we include expert compliance checks with our service. This means you can be 100% sure that your photo will get accepted by the government. If for some reason it’s not? We’ll send you a full refund!
Tips to Make Sure Your Photo Will Not Get Rejected
- Photo size: A United States Passport photo must be 2 inches x 2 inches in size. In addition, your head needs from chin to crown needs to be 25-36mm. There needs to be a gap between your head and the edges of the photo as well.
- Contrast, saturation and exposure: The colour and hue of your photos must be as close to reality as possible. There shouldn’t be any deep shadows or glare on your face – ensure even lighting across your face. Use natural lighting without any after-effects or filters.
- Photo background: The background in your photo should be a plain white background without textures or shadows. Ensure there are no objects or other people in the photo.
- Photo posture: When you take your photo, you need to be directly facing the camera as well as have a straight posture with eyes directly at the camera lens. Keep a neutral expression. Once you’ve taken the photo, make sure your nose is in the center and your eyes are a third from the top of the photo.
- Facial obstructions & accessories: You’re not permitted to wear glasses in your photo. You can wear them if you have a doctor’s note proving they are necessary to be worn. Things like hair covering your face, or other accessories obscuring your face are not acceptable in your photo.
Good to know!
Do You Have to Pay Again if Your Passport Photo is Rejected?
You might not have to pay again if your passport photo is rejected (as long as you resubmit the corrected photo within the 90-day period specified by the passport office), however, you will have to consider the costs of retaking your photo, getting it right, and sending it back within a timeframe.
Unfortunately, if you’ve submitted your passport application and it’s been rejected because of your photo, you’ll have to submit another one. In this case, you will receive contact from the passport office (Travel Department of State), usually via letter, to tell you what went wrong. After this, your application will be frozen for a period of 90 days so that you can submit a compliant photo.
Use Our tip!
When you choose Smartphone iD for taking your digital passport photos, you won’t have to worry about whether your photo will get rejected. This is because we provide you with a 100% guarantee of government acceptance. Nevertheless, if for any reason your photo is rejected, which is unlikely, we’ll send you a full refund!
How to Check if Your Passport Photo is Acceptable?
Once you’ve taken your photo, you can make sure it’s acceptable by comparing it with the United States government’s official passport photo requirements. Did you know there’s a way to avoid all the hassle of checking every requirement? Simply use our online passport photo tool Smartphone iD app! Our AI software algorithm & our biometric expert will complete full verification checks on your photo.
Summary
It can be stressful receiving a rejection letter in the mail. But don’t worry! If you take the time to get your passport photo correct, you’ll be able to get back on track in no time at all.
With these examples of rejected passport photos, you should have an idea of what your passport photo needs to look like. Don’t hesitate to get a pre-approved passport photo for your passport application and future use, with our fast and cheap app – Smartphone iD.
Are you using Smartphone iD tool?
Sources
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/online-renewal-photo.html
FAQs
What are the most common reasons for passport photo rejection?
The most common reasons for passport photo rejection are shadows or poor lighting, glasses with glare or tinted lenses, incorrect size or head position, inappropriate pose or expression, hats or head coverings, busy or patterned backgrounds, low resolution or quality, and excessive jewelry or makeup.
How can shadows and lighting affect my baby passport photo rejection?
Shadows and poor lighting can obscure your baby’s facial expressions , making it difficult to obtain a clear, accurate image. Ensure your baby’s face is evenly lit and free of shadows, especially around the eyes and under the chin.
What happens if they reject a passport photo?
If your passport photo is rejected, you will need to submit a new photo that meets all the requirements. This can delay the processing of your passport application.
Do CVS/Walgreens/Staples passport photos get rejected?
While these stores aim to provide passport photos that meet the official requirements, there is always a possibility of rejection if the photo does not adhere to all the guidelines. It’s important to review your photo carefully before submitting it with your application.
What happens if your passport application is rejected?
If your passport application is rejected, you will receive a letter stating the reasons for the rejection and instructions on how to reapply. You may need to submit new documentation, a new photo, or additional fees depending on the reason for the rejection.
Which app/service guarantees a valid passport photo?
Smartphone iD is an app that guarantees a valid US passport photo. It uses AI technology to analyze your photo and ensure it meets the official requirements for over 150 countries. If your photo is rejected, Smartphone iD will refund you or provide a new photo free of charge.
What should I do if I’ve already mailed a rejected photo?
If your passport photo was rejected, you’ll receive a letter from the U.S. Department of State with instructions on how to submit a new one. Mail the correct photo along with the letter to the address provided.
Can I use a photo that was taken with my smartphone?
Yes, as long as it meets U.S. passport requirements. Your photo must have the correct size, lighting, background, and resolution. Using the Smartphone iD app or online tool can help ensure compliance by automatically adjusting lighting, background, and sizing to government standards.
Can I wear makeup on my passport or official ID photo?
Yes, you can wear makeup, but it should be natural and not alter your facial features significantly. Avoid heavy contouring, excessive highlighter, or bold colors that could affect recognition.
Can I smile in my passport or visa photo?
A slight, natural smile is allowed, but an exaggerated smile showing teeth is not. The U.S. Department of State recommends a neutral expression with both eyes open and looking directly at the camera.
What should I do if my child’s photo keeps getting rejected?
Ensure that your child’s face is fully visible with a neutral expression. For infants, laying them on a plain white sheet or using a white background car seat can help. Also, make sure there are no shadows, hands, or objects in the frame. The Smartphone iD photo tool can assist you in capturing compliant child passport photos.
Is it okay to wear religious or cultural headgear in official photos?
Yes, religious and cultural head coverings are allowed, but your full face must be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead. You may need to provide a signed statement explaining that you wear it daily for religious purposes.
What should I do if I don’t have access to a professional photo studio?
You can take a passport photo at home using a smartphone, provided it meets official guidelines. Ensure good lighting, a plain white or off-white background, and a high-resolution image. The Smartphone iD app and online tool can verify compliance and remove background errors.
How can I verify that my photo meets the requirements before submission?
Use the official U.S. State Department’s photo tool to check basic compliance, but note that it doesn’t guarantee approval. The Smartphone iD app provides real-time verification to ensure your photo meets all necessary standards before submission.
Continue Reading
- The Number One Reason Your Passport Photo Got Rejected
- Everything You Need to Know About Taking Acceptable Passport Photos
- What is the correct passport photo size?
- How to take a US passport photo : DO’s and DONT’s
- How to Take a Digital Passport Photo from Home? The ultimate guide
- 10 Best Passport Photo tools in for US photos
