If you’ve ever stood under harsh fluorescent lights at a drugstore, squinting at a camera while a clerk says “chin down, eyes open,” you know the traditional way of getting a passport photo isn’t exactly glamorous. The good news? In 2026, you can skip the trip entirely and still get a U.S. Department of State–approved photo — all from the comfort of home.

Love it or hate it, you’re stuck with your passport photo for the next decade. But what happens if your appearance changes? Will you need a new passport photo? According to the U.S. Department, in most cases, the answer is no, but there are specific times when you will need to get a new passport photo.

When You Need a New Passport Photo

That said, there are some circumstances in which you might need a new passport photo.

Updated March 18, 2024: FedEx Office and RushMyPassport announced expedited passport services as fast as 3-5 business days. Available online and at FedEx Office locations nationwide.

Expedited passport services are now available at a FedEx Office location near you! We’ve been receiving great feedback from travelers all across the country as they head to their local FedEx Office to secure their expedited passport services.

You can still apply for your passport during the COVID-19 situation. But how do you get your passport photo? We have great options to safely get your passport photo during the COVID-19 closures and stay-at-home-orders. Applying for your passport or renewing your passport doesn’t have to be a difficult task during this time.

How to Get a Passport Photo During Closures & Stay-Home Orders

The passport photo is required for passport renewals, new passports, child passports, and replacing a lost or stolen passport.

The passport photo is the number one reason for applications to be denied.  It’s important you take the perfect passport photo to avoid costly delays. Routine passport processing takes 6-8 weeks or longer. If your passport photo is rejected, it could take another few weeks before your passport is ready. Our expedited passport services are available for travelers that need their passport fast.

Prince shared his passport photo on Twitter…and the Internet exploded.  Writers called it “sheer perfection,” “game-changing” and even “so aggressively sexual it should be illegal.”

Mashable writer Jim Roberts tweeted “You’ll never have a passport photo like this. So give up.”

But do you have to give up? Are the rest of us mere mortals doomed to carry around humiliating passport photos for the next decade?

Some of the most important rules for passport photos include:

• Full color only
• Final size 2” x 2” with head measuring between 1” and 1 3/8” from bottom of chin to top of head
• Use a recent photo taken within the last 6 months
• Use a white background
• Take facing directly ahead at the camera for full-face view
• Eyes open / neutral expression
• You may wear glasses if you normally wear them – but no dark or tinted lenses & no glare from glasses in photo
• No hats or head coverings
• No shadows on your face
• No uniforms
• As of November 1st, 2016, you are no longer allowed to wear glasses in your passport photo.

A new photojournalism project by Suren Manvelyan and Biayna Mahari on the Behance Network showcases just how much of a difference a few years can make.

Terence and Marilyn Walker apparently sent off their passport renewal applications at the same time. His was processed correctly, but hers came back with the wrong passport photo.  

According to this article on NJ.com, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi has decided that her office will waive the normal $10 fee for having passport photos taken at the office for applicants who submit their applications before the end of next month:

“My offices will waive the normal $10 fee for having your photograph taken when you apply by Feb.