U.S. Passport Photos in Washington, DC
U.S. passport photos in Washington, DC, shot to the State Department 2x2 in standard and verified before you leave. Ready in 15 minutes; check live availability on the site.
What a U.S. Passport photo has to be
Every figure below is quoted from the issuing authority, and the source is linked at the bottom of this section. Where the official sources do not agree, we say so instead of picking one.
| Photo size | 51 x 51 mm · 2 x 2 in |
|---|---|
| Head height | 25–35 mm (1 – 1 3/8 in), bottom of chin to top of head |
| Eye position | Not published officially: we verify it against your consulate at the session. |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, free of shadows, textures, or objects |
| Glasses | Not allowed. Eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses must come off. Medical exception requires a signed note from your doctor. |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, but the State Department explicitly permits a smile: "You can smile in your photo. Just make sure your eyes are open and your mouth is closed." |
| How recent | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Digital file | JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF, 54 KB – 10 MB (online renewal). Pixel dimensions are not published. |
| Copies needed | 1 color photo |
The things that actually fail
Not general advice, just the specific traps in this document’s own rules.
- No software edits, filters, or AI: State says so explicitly, and phone "beauty" modes are on by default.
- The bottom of the frame is the edge of your shoulders where they meet your arms. Crop higher or lower and it fails.
- Head must not be tilted.
- Matte or glossy photo paper only.
Hold a time, and it’s yours.
Live availability straight from our studio calendar. A reserved appointment is $200 and always includes both the digital file and your prints. Same-day times show here when we have them.
Get it right the first time.
We shoot it, check it against U.S. Passport’s own specification, and you leave with a photo that passes. If it is ever rejected, we reshoot it free.