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United States U.S. passport card photo requirements

The 2 × 2 in photo rules set by U.S. Department of State for the United States U.S. passport card, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 5 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What size is the United States U.S. passport card photo?

The passport card photo follows the same rules as the passport book: one 2 x 2 inch (51 x 51 mm) colour photo, with the head 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm) from chin to top of head, taken in the last 6 months on a plain white or off-white background. If you apply for a book and a card together, you still send one photo.

The U.S. passport card is a wallet-size plastic passport with no visa pages. It proves U.S. citizenship and identity, is valid for as long as a passport book, and costs less, but it only works for some trips.

The card is valid for land and sea travel to and from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and some Caribbean countries, and works in Ready Lanes at the U.S.-Mexico border. It is not valid for international air travel, although TSA accepts it as ID for domestic flights. The facts come from the State Department's page comparing the card and the book (updated 28 January 2026).

United States U.S. passport card photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by U.S. Department of State:[1]

Print size2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
Head height1 to 1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm), chin to top of head
BackgroundPlain white or off-white, with no shadows, texture or lines
ColourColour
Photo ageTaken in the last 6 months
File size54 KB to 10 MB (online renewal)
File formatJPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF (online renewal)
Print qualityMatte or glossy photo-quality paper
Pixels when printed600 × 600 px at 300 dpi · 1200 × 1200 px at 600 dpi (calculated)
2 in2 in25–35 mm
2 × 2 in photo drawn to scale, with the 25–35 mm head height from chin to crown. Background: plain white or off-white.

Key requirements

  • One photo per application

    One photo is needed even when applying for a book and a card together.

  • Application routes

    First passport: apply in person with Form DS-11 and one printed photo. Child under 16: apply in person and do not staple the photo, as the acceptance agent attaches it. Adult renewal: by mail with Form DS-82 and one stapled photo, or online with a digital photo if you only renew documents you already have.

  • First card when you hold a book

    If you can use Form DS-82, apply by mail as a renewal. This cannot be done online.

  • Fees

    Adult card $30, child (under 16) $15; book and card together $160 adult, $115 child. A $35 acceptance fee applies when applying in person.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Use a plain white or off-white background with no shadows, texture or lines.
  • Print on matte or glossy photo-quality paper.
  • Take the photo in the last 6 months.

Don't

  • Do not wear glasses unless you include a signed doctor's note.

Sample photos

How a United States U.S. passport card photo should look, and the mistakes that most often get photos rejected. Each example is drawn to this document's 2 × 2 in, head height and background colour.

Correct
Open-mouth smile
Head tilted
Too close: head too big
Too far: head too small
Busy background
Shadows on face or background
Glare on glasses

Illustrations, not real photos. The official rules above always take priority; some documents do not allow glasses at all.

Glasses

Not allowed, unless you include a signed doctor's note.

Babies and children

For a child under 16, apply in person; do not staple the photo, as the acceptance agent attaches it.

Print: one 2 x 2 inch photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. Online renewal: a digital JPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF file of 54 KB to 10 MB instead of a print.

Where to submit the photo

Form DS-11 in person for a first passport or a child; Form DS-82 by mail to renew or add a first card; or online renewal if you only renew documents you already have. Choose a book, a card or both at the start of the form.

How to get your United States U.S. passport card photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the United States U.S. passport card: 2 × 2 in print, plain white or off-white background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: one photo per application; application routes; first card when you hold a book; fees.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Print: one 2 x 2 inch photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. Online renewal: a digital JPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF file of 54 KB to 10 MB instead of a print.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Form DS-11 in person for a first passport or a child; Form DS-82 by mail to renew or add a first card; or online renewal if you only renew documents you already have. Choose a book, a card or both at the start of the form.

United States U.S. passport card photo FAQ

The same as for a passport book: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), with your head 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm) from chin to top of head, in colour, on a plain white or off-white background.

No. Books and cards use the same forms, and you choose a book, a card or both at the start of one application. The application asks for one photo.

Not internationally: the card is not valid for international air travel. TSA accepts it as ID for domestic flights within the United States.

No. Online renewal only renews the documents you already have. If you have a passport book and are eligible to use Form DS-82, you can apply for your first card by mail as a renewal, with a printed photo.

For travel by land and sea to and from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and some Caribbean countries. It also works in Ready Lanes at the U.S.-Mexico border, which read its RFID chip.

Related photo specifications

Other United States documents

Passports nearby

Also 2 × 2 in

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Official sources

  1. U.S. Department of State. Compare a Passport Card and Book travel.state.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. U.S. Department of State. U.S. Passport Photos travel.state.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. U.S. Department of State. Passport Fees travel.state.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. U.S. Department of State. Renew an Adult Passport by Mail travel.state.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  5. U.S. Department of State. Renew Your Passport Online travel.state.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with U.S. Department of State before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"United States U.S. passport card photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/united-states/passport-card-photo

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