Passport photo and renewal guides
Short, sourced answers to the questions people ask before renewing a U.S. passport.
Online renewal
- Can I Renew My Passport Online? Check Every RequirementCan I renew my passport online? Use this 2026 checklist of every State Department rule, and see what to do instead if…
- How to Renew Your Passport Online, Step by StepHow to renew your passport online in 2026: what to prepare, each step at opr.travel.state.gov, the digital photo…
- Renewing Your Passport Online vs by Mail With Form DS-82Renew passport online vs mail: compare eligibility, photo, payment, speed, expedite options and your old passport, and…
- Passport Renewal Fees for 2026Passport renewal fee 2026: $130 book, $30 card, $160 both, plus $60 expedite and $26.87 1-3 day delivery. How to pay…
- How Long Passport Renewal Takes Right NowPassport renewal processing time as of October 2026: 4-6 weeks routine, 2-3 weeks expedited, plus mailing. See real…
- How to Renew Your Passport After a Name ChangeRenew passport with name change after marriage, divorce or court order: when to use DS-82, DS-5504 or DS-11, and which…
- Can You Renew an Expired Passport?Renew expired passport online or by mail if it was issued within 15 years and expired under 5 years ago. When you need…
- How to Renew or Add a U.S. Passport CardPassport card renewal costs $30 online or by mail in 2026. See what the card is valid for, how to add one to a book…
- How to Expedite a Passport RenewalExpedited passport renewal costs $60 and takes 2-3 weeks plus mailing in 2026. Compare faster delivery, urgent…
- How to Check Your Passport Renewal StatusCheck passport renewal status online or by phone, learn what In Process, Approved and Additional Information Needed…
Photo requirements
- Digital Passport Photo Size: 600 x 600 Pixels and the Other File RulesIs 600x600 the right passport photo size for online renewal? See the 2026 pixel range, 54 KB to 10 MB file limit…
- Passport Photo Head Size: How Big Your Head Must BePassport photo head size must be 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head. See it in mm and pixels at 600 and 1200…
- Passport Photo Background: What White or Off-White Really MeansPassport photo background rules: plain white or off-white, no shadows, texture or objects. How to set one up at home…
- Can You Wear Glasses in a Passport Photo?Can you wear glasses in a passport photo? No, not since 2016. Learn the medical exception, the doctor statement, and…
- Can You Smile in a Passport Photo?Can you smile in a passport photo? Yes, a natural smile is fine with eyes open and mouth closed. See what gets rejected…
- What to Wear for a Passport PhotoWhat to wear for a passport photo: everyday clothes, no uniforms or camouflage, no headphones. Colors, jewelry, hats…
- Passport Photo Hair Rules: What Is AllowedPassport photo hair rules for 2026: hair must not cover your eyes, flat clips are fine, wide headbands are not. Bangs…
- Makeup and Beards in Passport PhotosMakeup and beard in a passport photo: everyday makeup and any facial hair are fine, filters and retouching are not…
- Hijab and Religious Head Coverings in U.S. Passport PhotosYou can wear a hijab, turban, kippah or other religious head covering in a U.S. passport photo. See the face rules and…
- Baby Passport Photo: How to Get It RightHow to take a U.S. baby passport photo: eyes may be closed, no parent in the shot, white sheet or car seat setup, and a…
- Child Passport Photo: Rules and Tips for Toddlers and KidsChild passport photo rules for 2026: same 2x2 standard as adults, eyes open, no one else in the shot, printed for the…
- Why Your Passport Photo Must Be Taken Within 6 MonthsYour passport photo must be taken within 6 months and match how you look now. Why old photos fail, and when a changed…
Rejections and fixes
- Shadows in a Passport Photo: Why They Get Rejected and How to Fix ThemShadows in a passport photo are a top rejection reason. Learn what causes them, how to light a photo at home and when…
- Blurry or Low-Quality Passport Photo: Causes and FixesPassport photo too blurry or low quality? Learn why photos turn out blurry, grainy, pixelated, too dark or too bright…
- Can You Edit a Passport Photo? What Is Allowed and What Gets RejectedCan you edit a passport photo? See what the State Department allows: cropping yes, filters, retouching, background…
- Can You Use a Selfie for a Passport Photo?Can I use a selfie for a passport photo? Learn why arm's-length selfies get rejected and how to take a phone photo that…
- Can You Reuse an Old Passport Photo or Scan a Printed One?Can I use my old passport photo? No. Learn the 6-month rule, why scanned prints are rejected for online renewal and…
- Passport Photo Rejected After Online Renewal: What to Do NextPassport photo rejected after online renewal? What the notice means, the 90-day deadline, how to send a new photo and…
- Glare and Red Eye in a Passport Photo: How to Avoid ThemPassport photo glare or red eye? Learn why flash, shiny skin and jewelry cause rejections, why you cannot edit red eye…
Photo at home
- Taking a Passport Photo With Your iPhoneTake a passport photo with an iPhone: the right camera, 1x zoom, timer, grid, Portrait mode and filters off, file…
- How to Take a Passport Photo With an Android PhoneTake a passport photo with an Android phone: Samsung and Pixel settings to turn off, timer, file format, and how to…
- How to Light a Passport Photo at HomeGet passport photo lighting at home right: window light, the best time of day, a two-lamp setup, reflectors, and how to…
- How to Make a White Background for a Passport Photo at HomeMake a white background for a passport photo at home with a wall, door, sheet or foam board, plus the distance and…
- How to Print 2x2 Passport PhotosPrint a 2x2 passport photo correctly: crop to size, fit six on a 4x6 sheet, pick matte or glossy paper, print at home…
Where to get it
- How Much Are Passport Photos in 2026?How much are passport photos? Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, USPS, FedEx and online prices checked October 2026, plus hidden…
- CVS vs Walgreens Passport Photos (and Walmart)CVS vs Walgreens passport photo compared: price, digital copy, appointment, wait and quality, plus Walmart. Checked on…
- USPS Passport Photos: What to Know Before You BookUSPS passport photo guide: the $15 fee, how to book a photo-only appointment, digital photos for online renewal, and…
- Best Passport Photo Apps and Websites, Compared HonestlyBest passport photo app in 2026? We compare price, digital file, print sheet, compliance check, refund policy and…
- How to Get a Free Passport Photo (and When Not To)Free passport photo options: take it at home, crop it, print a 4x6 sheet or upload it online. Trade-offs, a free…