When applying for a passport, your photo matters — it’s the first thing that passport control will look at, so be sure that you take a good one!

Like most countries, US passport photo requirements ask you for a biometric photo — a machine-readable photograph that helps confirm your identity when passing through passport control. Pretty much rules are similar in Europe and in other parts of the world.

While it doesn’t take any special equipment to take a biometric photo, it still has to adhere to strict passport photo guidelines.

In the US, you have to submit at least one recent photograph of yourself. It cannot be older than 6 months, and should accurately reflect what you currently look like. The quality of the photo should be spotless and be without creases, smudges, or any other signs of damage. You are allowed to submit it in either a glossy or matte finish.

US Passport Photo Requirements

• Passport Picture Size

The required passport picture size is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The picture quality should be clean and crisp, with no blurriness or pixelation.

The position of the face should be balanced and centered — the head should occupy about 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 – 35 mm) of the picture, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.

• Passport Photo Requirements for Lighting and Background

Passport pictures should be in color, brightly lit, and with no shadows. This can be achieved by using bright, diffused light, like the kind of light you find in photography studios or in photobooths. This ensures that all your features are clearly visible and undistorted.

The background color should be plain white, or off-white, with no shadows, patterns, objects, or any other distracting elements.

• Required Pose for Your Passport Photo

Passport photos only depict your head and a bit of your neck and shoulders. When posing for a passport photo, be sure to face the camera straight on, making sure that you look at the camera directly. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to show off your good side, but biometric photos have to be able to scan your features properly.

You cannot smile in your passport picture. Keep your expression neutral and relaxed — no blinking or scrunching up your face!

• Digital Alterations

Since passport photos have to be machine-readable and an accurate representation of what you look like in real life, you absolutely cannot make any digital alterations to them.

In other words, you cannot remove pimples, scars, or wrinkles with a photo manipulation program, or change the color or shading of your hair, skin, and clothes. You also cannot use filters or any other photo enhancements.

• What to Wear for a Passport Photo

Traditionally, passport photos required that you wear some sort of business professional or formal attire, though this has changed in recent years. These days, you are allowed to wear almost any kind of daily attire, including t-shirts, blouses, or dresses.

• What You Can’t Wear for Passport Photo

You cannot wear anything that will obscure your face in a passport photo, including hats, glasses, earphones, or any type of head covering.

You also cannot wear a uniform of any type, whether it’s a military, school, or work uniform.

Wearing Glasses

Generally, you are not allowed to wear glasses or sunglasses in your passport photo, so be sure to take them off when you take a photo. However, if you cannot remove your eyeglasses for medical reasons, include a signed note from your doctor in your application explaining your condition.

Wearing Head Coverings

Head coverings are not allowed in passport photos unless they are for religious or medical purposes.

If you plan on wearing a head covering for religious purposes, you will need to submit a signed document verifying that your head covering is part of your required traditional attire.

If you need to wear a head covering for medical purposes, include a signed doctor’s statement in your application.

However, a head covering cannot obscure or cover any part of the face, including the hairline. It also cannot create shadows on your face or on the background. This means that some traditional attire will not be allowed, even after you have provided a signed statement.

Taking a Toddler Passport Photo

Taking a toddler passport photo can be tricky as the toddler’s picture must meet the majority of required guidelines, but, very young children are not renowned for their ability to follow instructions. Luckily, most passport authorities are a bit more relaxed when it comes to baby and toddler passport photos and will gladly accept any suitable photo that ticks off most of the requirements.

When taking a photo of a baby, try laying them down on top of a white sheet or a piece of cardstock to create a white, clean background. Be sure that their face is well-lit so that no shadows appear on their face or behind their heads

To help have the child look straight at the camera, you can use a toy to help direct the gaze of the child.

Their eyes should be open, and their mouth closed — you can not submit a photo where the child is smiling, yawning, or sleeping. The child is also the only thing that is allowed to be in the photo — so, no hats, toys, blankets, or any other objects. (via)