PassportPhotoFlow

Take a passport photo at home

All you need at home is a plain white or off-white wall, light from a window or lamp, and your phone. Someone to take it helps.

PassportPhotoFlow guides the shot, checks the photo against the main U.S. Department of State photo requirements and crops it to the exact 2×2 inch size. If something is off, you see what to change and retake right away.

Take my photo at home

One-time purchase, no subscription. You see your checked photo before you pay.

Not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or any government agency. We don't submit applications; government fees are separate.

PassportPhotoFlow capture options: on your own with the phone upright on a shelf, or someone else takes it, about 4 ft (1.2 m) away, plus a plain light wall, even light and head straight checklist

How to do it

  1. 1

    Stand about 3 ft (1 m) in front of a plain white or off-white wall, facing a window or lamp

  2. 2

    Have someone take it about 4 ft (1.2 m) away at eye level, or lean the phone on a shelf and step back

  3. 3

    Let PassportPhotoFlow check it, retake if anything is flagged, then download

You download a digital photo file sized for online applications; the complete option adds a 4×6 print sheet.

Get it right the first time

  • Stand about 3 ft (1 m) in front of a plain white or off-white wall

    Stand about 3 ft (1 m) in front of a plain white or off-white wall

  • Face a window or lamp: even light, no shadows

    Face a window or lamp: even light, no shadows

  • Someone holds the phone about 4 ft (1.2 m) away at eye level

    Someone holds the phone about 4 ft (1.2 m) away at eye level

  • Alone? Put the phone on a shelf at eye level and step back

    Alone? Put the phone on a shelf at eye level and step back

  • Head straight, eyes open, mouth closed, no glasses or hat

    Head straight, eyes open, mouth closed, no glasses or hat

Home setup checklist

  • A plain white or off-white wall with nothing on it: no pictures, doors or furniture in the shot
  • Even light from the front, so there is no shadow on your face or on the wall
  • Wear a shirt or top you'd normally wear day to day — no bare shoulders, uniforms or camouflage.
  • No hat, headphones or glasses
  • A neutral expression or a natural closed-mouth smile, both eyes open

Good to know

Questions

What background do I need at home?

A plain white or off-white wall with nothing on it. We don't edit the background, so the wall has to be right in the photo itself. The check tells you if it is too dark, tinted, cluttered or shadowed.

Can I take the photo by myself?

Yes, but not at arm's length: the U.S. Department of State asks for the camera to be several feet away. Lean your phone on a shelf at eye level and step back, or ask a friend or family member to take it.

How do I print it at home?

With the complete option you get a 4×6 print sheet with two 2×2 photos. Print it at 100% / actual size on photo paper at home or at any photo kiosk, then cut along the guides.

Take my photo at home

Start now

One-time purchase, no subscription. You see your checked photo before you pay.

Take my photo at home

One-time purchase, no subscription. You see your checked photo before you pay.