4 minute read · Official sources checked 2 November 2026 · English guide
| Application | Photo to prepare | Where to finish |
|---|---|---|
| Paper DS-11 or DS-82 | A compliant 2 × 2-inch colour photo printed on photo-quality paper. | Follow the signing and attachment instructions for your form. |
| Official online passport renewal | Your original digital photograph, in a format accepted by the portal. | Upload and position it in the official renewal application. |
| U.S. visa application | The format specified for your particular visa application. | Use the visa instructions; a visa preset is not an online passport-renewal preset. |
How big should a printed U.S. passport photo be?
For a paper application, the finished photograph is 2 × 2 inches. Head height, from chin to top of head, must be 1 to 1⅜ inches. Use a recent colour photograph with a plain white or off-white background, good lighting and a clearly visible face.
Print on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. The image must be sharp, without visible pixels or printer dots. A screenshot, ordinary document print or scanned photograph is not an equivalent substitute.
Why does a correct file sometimes print at the wrong size?
A print dialog can enlarge or shrink a file. Check the output setting, print at the intended physical size and measure the finished photo with a ruler. A square image can still be too large or too small.
For example, a photo that measures 1.8 inches across after printing is not a 2-inch photo, even if the file looked square on screen. Correct the printing setup rather than stretching the face. Wayform supplies a downloadable file; printing and delivery are separate.
- Measure both edges of the finished photograph.
- Inspect face size and sharpness on the print, not only on screen.
- Keep the source photograph unchanged; do not retouch features or replace its background.
What file is needed for online passport renewal?
The current official instructions accept JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF files between 54 KB and 10 MB. Use an original colour photo taken within six months. Do not scan a print or photograph a printed photo.
The government application lets you reposition or crop the uploaded image. Its initial checks do not guarantee final acceptance: staff review it after submission. Keep the original file available and follow the portal’s guidance instead of uploading a print layout.
Can a tool fix a shadow or replace the background?
Do not retouch your face, apply filters or replace the background digitally. If lighting or the background is wrong, adjust the setting and take another photo. A correctly sized file can still fail the official content requirements.
Wayform’s preparation and preview are not a government approval. Compare the actual photo with the official examples before deciding whether to use it.
Sources: Official acceptable and unacceptable photo examples
Which Wayform option should I use?
For a paper passport application, choose United States, Passport, then the paper-application format. This prepares the print-format file. It does not create or submit an online renewal.
For online renewal, keep your original photo and use the official portal. Do not choose the U.S. visa digital preset simply because both processes involve uploading a picture.
Wayform is an independent preparation service, not a government agency. These preparation guides do not guarantee acceptance or replace the current official instructions.