How to Take a Passport or ID Photo at Home
A clear photo starts with steady light, a plain background and a camera at the right distance. Before you take it, check the exact rules for your application: photo size, head size, background and whether you need a print or a digital file.
Set up your camera, light and background
You can use a phone or camera that takes sharp, full-colour photos. Clean the lens and set the camera to its highest image-quality setting. Ask someone to take the photo, or use a tripod or steady surface and a timer. Stand or sit facing the camera, with your shoulders level and your head upright.
Choose a bright room with soft, even light. Facing a window can work well; avoid direct sun that makes you squint. Move away from overhead or side lighting that makes strong shadows. As practical advice, put the camera at eye level about 1–1.5 metres away. This helps avoid a large-looking nose or a stretched face from a camera held too close.
Use a plain wall or a smooth sheet as the background. Keep a little space between you and the wall so your shadow does not fall on it. The allowed colour depends on the application: for example, US passport photos need a plain white or off-white background, UK passport photos use cream or light grey, and Australian passport photos use white or light grey.[1][2][3] A patterned wall, visible objects or a shadow can make the photo unsuitable.[1][2][3]
Pose simply and take several photos
Look straight into the lens with your whole face visible. Keep your head level, eyes open and mouth closed. A relaxed, plain expression is a useful starting point: the US and UK rules call for a neutral or plain expression, while Australian guidance calls for a neutral expression for people over 3.[1][2][3]
Move hair away from your eyes and remove anything that covers your face. Glasses rules vary: the US says to remove them, Australia allows them only if you cannot remove them for medical reasons, and UK guidance allows them only if you have to wear them and your eyes are not hidden by frames, glare, reflection or shadow.[1][2][3] Check the rule for your own application before taking the photo.
Take a few pictures without changing the light or pose. Check that your face is sharp, both eyes are visible and your head is not cut off. Retaking a photo is easier than trying to repair it later. A blurry picture, closed eyes, a tilted head, red eye or harsh shadows can lead to problems.[1][2][3]
Match the photo size and head height
Photo size tells you the width and height of the finished image. Head height measures the face inside that frame, usually from the chin to the top of the head or crown. It is a separate measurement: a photo can have the correct outside size but still show a head that is too large or too small.
Two common formats show why you must check the application. A US passport photo is 2×2 inches, or about 51×51 mm, and the head must measure 25–35 mm from chin to top of head.[1] A UK passport photo is 35 mm wide by 45 mm high, with the image of the head from crown to chin measuring 29–34 mm.[2] The US format is square; the UK format is taller than it is wide.
Many other applications use a 35×45 mm portrait frame, but the head-height rule can still differ. For example, Australian passport photos are 35–40 mm wide and 45–50 mm high, with the face 32–36 mm from chin to crown.[3] Do not assume that two applications with similar photo sizes use the same face measurements. Use the current instructions for the exact passport, visa or ID you are applying for.
Crop and check the photo on your device
Once you have a good original photo, the tool above can crop it to a selected document size and arrange copies on a print sheet. It works in your browser, so the photo stays on your device. Pick the exact document option, then check the preview: your head should be upright, centered, fully shown and at the right scale within the frame.
The crop helps set the outside dimensions and position. It cannot make a poor original clear, remove shadows safely or decide whether an authority will accept your photo. Avoid filters, face retouching and background replacement. The US says to submit an original, unedited photo; UK guidance says photos must not be altered by computer software; Australia does not allow retouching.[1][2][3]
If the preview shows a cut-off head, odd colour, glare, blur or shadow, take a new picture and crop that one. Compare the result with the authority’s requirements before you print or upload it. The office handling your application makes the final decision.
Print a 4×6-inch sheet and cut it
A 4×6-inch sheet is a common size for kiosk photo printing. The tool above can place several copies on one sheet so you can print them together. Save the sheet to your phone or another device, then choose a kiosk option for a 4×6-inch photo print. Check the kiosk preview before ordering: the whole sheet should fit, with none of the photo edges cut off.
At print settings, choose the actual 4×6-inch size and turn off options such as “fit to page” or “fill,” which can resize or crop the sheet. If the kiosk offers a choice, use photo paper. After printing, measure one photo with a ruler and cut along the guides with scissors or a paper cutter. Keep the edges straight and do not trim into the image.
A print sheet is for applications that accept printed photos. Requirements differ: UK paper applications need two identical 35×45 mm prints, and the photos must not be cut-down versions of a larger picture.[2] Australian passport applications need two good-quality photos that meet that authority’s rules, including its print requirements.[3] Check whether your application needs separate photos, a print sheet, or something else before using a kiosk.
Digital uploads and common reasons for refusal
Some applications ask for a digital photo instead of printed copies. Use the official application instructions to check the required file type, pixel dimensions, file-size limit and upload steps. These details can differ by application, so do not assume that a correctly cropped print sheet is also the right file to upload. The US passport guidance, for example, distinguishes paper applications from online renewal, which uses a digital photo.[1] GOV.UK also distinguishes printed photos from the digital photos required for online applications.[2]
Common problems include the wrong photo or head size, a head that is off-center, a busy or incorrect-colour background, shadows, blur, poor focus, red eye, glare and a face partly hidden by hair or clothing.[1][2][3] A photo may also fail if it shows an expression or accessory that the authority does not allow, or if software has changed the image.[1][2][3] Fix the cause by changing the setup and taking another photo; resizing alone cannot correct a pose, shadow or unclear face.
Check the photo date rule too. US passport photos must be taken within the last six months, UK passport photos within the last month, and Australian passport photos must be less than six months old.[1][2][3] Requirements and exceptions can vary, including for babies or people with a medical reason to wear glasses. Follow the instructions for your application, and remember that only the authority can decide whether a photo is acceptable.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my own passport photo with a phone?
Yes, you can take a sharp photo with a phone. Use even light, a plain background and a steady camera, then check the authority’s rules for the final photo.
Why are passport photos often 35×45 mm or 2×2 inches?
These are examples of common official photo formats: UK passport photos are 35×45 mm, while US passport photos are 2×2 inches, about 51×51 mm.[1][2] Other applications can use different sizes.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
It depends on the authority. The US says to remove glasses; Australia allows them only for medical reasons if the frames and lenses do not hide the eyes; UK guidance allows them only if you have to wear them and there is no obstruction or glare.[1][2][3]
Can I use a white sheet as a photo background?
A smooth sheet can help make a plain background. Check the required colour first: US examples allow white or off-white, UK allows cream or light grey, and Australia allows white or light grey.[1][2][3]
Can I print passport photos on a 4×6-inch kiosk print?
You can print a sheet arranged for 4×6 inches, then cut out the photos if your application accepts prints. Check the required photo dimensions and print rules first; for example, UK paper applications require two identical 35×45 mm photos that are not cut down from a larger picture.[2]