United States Passport (DS-11) Photo Requirements

The complete spec for a United States Passport (DS-11) photo, and how to hit it at home.

Print size	51 × 51 mm
Digital	600 × 600 min
Head height	70–80% of height
Background	White or off-white
Fine print	No glasses; plain attire; no head covering unless religious (add signed statement).

How to shoot it

1. Daylight facing a window, plain white or off-white wall — see the lighting tutorial.
2. Check head height against the spec above before cropping — it is the #1 silent rejection.
3. Crop to exact size with the ID photo tool (this spec's proportions are baked in), print matte.
4. Confirm current rules with the issuing authority — specs drift, especially for digital submissions.

Other specs

FAQ

What size is a United States Passport (DS-11) photo?

51 × 51 millimetres (600 × 600 min in pixels where digital submission applies). Head height should be 70–80% of height of the frame.

What background does the United States Passport (DS-11) photo need?

White or off-white. Keep the background evenly lit — shadows are a top rejection cause. No glasses; plain attire; no head covering unless religious (add signed statement).