Passport Photo Rejected? Why It Happens and What to Do

What a rejected photo means

The US Department of State says unacceptable photos are the number one reason passport applications are put on hold. When it cannot accept your photo, it contacts you by letter, email or phone to ask for a new one, and your application may be delayed until you respond.

• By phone. If you get a phone call about a problem with your application, you can respond over the phone or ask for a letter instead.
• By email. You can reply by email only when your letter or email says you can.
• Status updates. Your online application status changes to Additional Information Needed on the day the letter or email is sent, and to Information Received, In Process Again once your response arrives.

What to do, step by step

1. Read the letter carefullyThe main section explains what you need to send. It may include a visual example of the requirement, such as the size for your passport photo, and a QR code that links to instructions on travel.state.gov. Note your application number, which you will need if you call with questions.
2. Check the photo requirementsMake sure your new photo meets the State Department's requirements before you send it, so it does not repeat the same problem. Our US passport photo guide lists every rule in one table.
3. Take a new photoA new photo, taken in the last 6 months, with no digital changes. A photo that has been edited, filtered or fixed with software is still unacceptable, even if it looks right.
4. Send it to the address on your letterUse the full Sterling, VA address exactly as it is listed on your letter, not a passport agency's physical address. You can send it by USPS, FedEx or UPS, and it must arrive within 90 days of the date on your letter.

Why passport photos get rejected

These are the problems the State Department lists most often, and how a new photo avoids each one.

Problem	How to avoid it in your new photo
Wearing glasses	Take off eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses. Only a medical exception is allowed, with a signed note from your doctor
Head too large, too small or off center	Your head must measure 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top, centered in a 2 by 2 inch photo
Shadows on the face or background	Even lighting on the face and the background, with no shadows
Background not plain white or off-white	Stand in front of a plain white or off-white background with no texture, objects or lines
Blurry, grainy or pixelated	A sharp, high-resolution photo from a proper camera
Photocopies, scans or home prints	Printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper, with no printer dots
Edited photos, filters or AI changes	An original, unedited photo. Software, phone apps and filters are not allowed
Mouth open, eyes closed or head tilted	Face the camera straight on, both eyes open, mouth closed. A natural smile is fine
Red eye or poor color	Accurate skin tones with no red eye
Photo older than 6 months	A new photo, taken for this application

Shadows by the neck and ears and glare on eyeglasses are common reasons photos are rejected, which is why we use professional studio lighting for every photo.

If you renewed by mail

When you renew by mail with Form DS-82, an intake facility reviews your application before a passport agency starts processing it. A missing or bad photo is one of the common reasons it sends you a letter. Follow the instructions in that letter, and include the letter itself when you send your application back with the new photo.

If you renewed online

An online renewal uses a digital photo instead of a print, and the same rules apply: original, unedited and taken in the last 6 months. If the State Department needs more information, it contacts you by letter, email or phone, and the 90-day rule applies.

Visa and other countries' passport photos

Every country sets its own photo size, background and expression rules, and its consulate decides what happens after a rejection. Read the instructions you received, and check the rules for your document before you retake the photo. Our country guides cover the US, Canada, the UK, the Schengen area, India, China and more.

• Canada. 50 by 70 mm, a different size from US photos. See our Canadian passport photo guide.
• UK and Schengen. 35 by 45 mm. See our UK and Schengen guides.
• US visas. A neutral expression instead of a smile. See the visa section of our US guide.

Our retake guarantee

Questions, answered

Does a rejected photo cancel my passport application?

No. The State Department asks you for a new photo, and your application may be delayed until you respond. Respond within 90 days so it continues processing your application.

How long do I have to send a new passport photo?

90 days from the date shown on your letter. The date is listed just below the address you send your information to.

Where do I send my new passport photo?

To the full Sterling, VA address exactly as it is listed on your letter, by USPS, FedEx or UPS. Do not send it to a passport agency's physical address. If you renewed by mail and got a letter from the intake facility, include that letter with your application.

Can I fix my rejected photo with an app or editing software?

No. The State Department does not accept photos changed with software, phone apps, filters or AI, even when the result looks acceptable. Take a new photo instead.

Can I send the same photo again?

No. Send a new photo that fixes the problem described in your letter, meets the photo requirements and was taken in the last 6 months.

Why was my photo rejected when it looked fine?

Small details are enough: a light shadow behind your head, glare on glasses, a head that is slightly too small, or a home print with printer dots. Professional lighting and the correct head size avoid most of these problems.

Where can I get a new passport photo in NYC?

At ThisPix, 805 3rd Avenue, 2nd Floor, at East 50th Street in Midtown Manhattan. Walk in Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. If a photo we took is rejected, we retake it free with the rejection notice.