Passport photo rejected: why it happens and what to do

The State Department says unacceptable photos are the number one reason passport applications are put on hold. If there is a problem with yours, they contact you and ask for a new photo. The fix is always a new photo, never an edited one.

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The usual reasons

  1. Shadows or uneven light.One side of the face darker than the other, or a shadow on the wall behind you.
  2. The background isn't plain.It must be white or off-white with no texture, lines or objects.
  3. Your head is the wrong size.The camera was too close or too far away, or your head isn't centered.
  4. The picture is blurry or low quality.Grainy, pixelated, or a scan or photo of a printed picture.
  5. Glasses, a hat, or hair over your eyes.Your full face and both eyes must be clearly visible.
  6. The photo was edited.Filters, background removal and AI changes are not accepted. The State Department says it checks all photos for AI tools.
  7. Head tilted or a big expression.Face the camera straight on, eyes open, mouth closed.

What to do next

Take a new photo and fix the cause, rather than correcting the old picture with an app. Then send the new photo the way the State Department's letter or email tells you to.

You can check a new photo on PicPassed for free before you send it. We look at size, head position, eyes, expression, light, sharpness and background.

Questions

What happens if my passport photo is rejected?

Your application is put on hold and the State Department contacts you to ask for a new photo. Follow the instructions in that letter or email.

My online renewal photo passed the upload tool. Why was it rejected later?

The upload tool only checks the basic requirements. A State Department employee reviews your photo again after you apply, and can still ask for a new one.

Can I fix a rejected photo by editing it?

No. Do not change your photo with software, phone apps, filters or AI. Fix the lighting or the background and take a new photo.

Summarised from the U.S. Department of State photo guidance. Always check the latest official rules for your application.

More help: How to take a passport photo at home · Passport photo with glasses · DS-160 photo upload error

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