Passport Photo Template
Skip the drugstore photo booth. This template creates government-compliant passport photos from any well-lit selfie — white background, correct head-to-frame ratio (1 to 1-3/8 inches from chin to crown), and 2×2 inch output at 600 DPI that meets US State Department, UK HMPO, EU, and Schengen visa requirements.
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What this template does
Converts a standard portrait photo into a government-compliant passport or visa photo. The template removes any background and replaces it with plain white, crops to the exact 2×2 inch (51×51mm) dimensions required by the US State Department, positions the head within the required size range, and ensures even lighting without harsh shadows. The output is print-ready at 600 DPI for photo-paper printing or direct digital submission.
Template settings
| Output dimensions | 2×2 inches (51×51mm) at 600 DPI (1200×1200px) |
| Background | Plain white (#FFFFFF), no gradients or texture |
| Head size | 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25–35mm) chin to crown |
| Eye position | Eyes centered between 1-1/8 and 1-3/8 inches from bottom |
| Color profile | sRGB (photo-lab compatible) |
| File format | JPEG 100% quality or PNG (for digital submission portals) |
How to use this template
Take a front-facing portrait
Stand in front of a plain wall with even lighting on your face. Use natural daylight or two lamps placed at equal distance on each side. Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression and both ears visible.
Remove and replace the background
Background Eraser strips any background — wallpaper patterns, shadows, furniture edges — and replaces it with the required plain white. The tool preserves natural hair edges and glasses frames without creating halo artifacts.
Auto-crop to compliance
The template detects your face and positions it within the government-specified head-size range. Eyes are placed at the correct height, and chin-to-crown measurement falls within the 1 to 1-3/8 inch requirement.
Print or submit digitally
Download the 600 DPI file for printing on 4×6 glossy photo paper (fits four 2×2 photos per sheet) or submit the digital file directly to online passport renewal and visa application portals.
Pro tips for best results
- ✓Use front-facing natural daylight from a window — it creates the soft, even illumination that passport offices prefer and eliminates the harsh shadows from flash photography.
- ✓Remove glasses before shooting if possible. Many countries now require photos without eyewear, and even where allowed, reflections and frame shadows are the most common reason for photo rejection.
- ✓Wear a solid-colored top that contrasts with white — dark blue, black, or deep green works best. White clothing blends into the background and can cause rejection.
- ✓Have someone else take the photo at arm's length rather than using a selfie. Front-camera selfies introduce slight wide-angle distortion that can make facial proportions look unnatural and trigger manual review.
Common questions
Will this photo be accepted by the US State Department?
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The template follows the exact specifications published in the US Department of State's passport photo requirements: 2×2 inches, white background, head size between 1 and 1-3/8 inches, and correct eye positioning. However, acceptance also depends on your expression, head angle, and lighting — the template handles background, sizing, and cropping but cannot fix closed eyes or turned heads.
Does this work for non-US passport photos?
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The default is set for US passports (2×2 inches), but passport photo dimensions vary by country — for example, UK requires 35×45mm and India requires 2×2 inches with different head-size ratios. The core background removal and face positioning work for any country; adjust the crop dimensions for your specific requirement.
Can I print this at home?
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Yes. The 600 DPI output prints at exactly 2×2 inches on any photo printer. For the best results, use glossy or matte photo paper and print four copies on a single 4×6 sheet. Most drugstore photo kiosks also accept the digital file for high-quality prints.
Get compliant passport photos without leaving home
Upload a front-facing portrait and get a government-specification passport photo in seconds. Print at home or submit digitally.
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