Business DayPersonal Tech



February 21, 2011, 3:23 pm

Q.&A.: Low-Budget Passport Photos

Q.

Can I take my own passport pictures with my digital camera or do I have to go to a place that specifically takes these portraits?

A.

As long as you adhere to the United States Department of State’s requirements for passport photos, you should be able to use self-portraits or a close-up taken by a friend for your passport. For digital pictures, the images must be taken with a 1-megapixel or higher camera.

You need to supply two identical color photographs, exactly two inches by two inches in size. In the picture, the size of your head should be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches high from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin. The picture must be taken within the past six months so that your current appearance is reflected. Retouched images are not allowed.

Passport photos must show you in a full-face view looking directly ahead, centered in front of a plain white or off-white background and wearing regular street clothes. State Department guidelines do not allow for hats, uniforms or sunglasses in the photo, although religious garb, prescription eyeglasses, hearing aids and other daily attire can be worn. Photos that are out of focus or that depict you squinting or making goofy faces are not accepted.

When printing your passport pictures, use a high-resolution photo printer that can accurately produce the image. Photos need to be printed on thin photo-quality paper and trimmed down to the appropriate size.
You can find the full list of requirements, including a PDF guide to passport photography (with sample images) on the State Department’s Web site.


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