What to Wear for a Passport Photo

Choose comfortable, casual clothing for your passport photo that resembles what you may wear when traveling on a plane. Remember that your passport will be used to cross checkpoints and borders, and it's in your interest to look like your passport photo to speed up the process.

Uniforms and clothing that resemble a uniform, such as a formal suit or camouflage attire, are not allowed. However, you can still look nice in your passport photo while wearing casual clothes. Since only your top will be visible, consider opting for items like a solid sweater, a t-shirt, or athleisure wear.

If you want to look polished yet casual for your passport photo, consider brands like DKNY, Everlane, and Gap. You can find DKNY at department stores like Macy’s and Belk, and even save a few dollars using a Macy’s coupon. This DKNY sweatshirt is the perfect blend of comfort and style, featuring subtle details like a ribbed texture. For more comfy sweatshirt options that are passport photo-ready, check out our fashionable sweatshirts collection. 

It's best to avoid wearing strapless tops in your passport photo since it will be taken from the shoulders up. If you wear strapless clothing like tank tops or tube tops, you could end up looking exposed. Choose clothing that can accentuate your neck and shoulders and offer a reference point to frame your face.

Clothing with collars or high necklines is a great option for this, and brands like J.Crew have a wide selection. Use a J.Crew coupon to get the best deal if you're purchasing a new outfit to wear in your passport photo.

The slightly relaxed fit of this rolled-neck sweater from J.Crew keeps the look comfortable yet polished, while the high neckline helps frame your face and highlights your shoulders, perfect for a passport photo that stands the test of time. For more high neckline options, you can shop our button-down shirt and collared shirt collections. 

To meet the passport photo dress code requirements, avoid busy patterns, and look for solid colors that will frame your face well against the white background. Since passport photos use bright lighting to clearly illuminate your face, opt for a color that won’t wash you out. If you are unsure of what color looks best on you, consider doing a personal color analysis online, or take some sample shots at home with your camera flash.

In general, we recommend wearing darker colors in passport photos as it helps frame your face better against the white background. Additionally, consider choosing atemporal colors that won’t go out of style. Navy, black, grey, and brown are some of the most popular colors. Avoid wearing white so you don't blend into the background.

If you’re looking for a solid color option that’s both flattering and timeless, brands like Anthropologie, Everlane, and Madewell give you plenty of options to choose from. You can get a $20 Anthropologie coupon by signing up for their newsletter, and Everlane and Madewell have similar discounts available. The Anthropologie knit pullover we’ve selected in a rich green color is a great passport photo choice; it’s vibrant yet subdued enough to avoid overpowering your face in the photo. It also comes in gray for a more subtle option. 

Wear a simple hairstyle and minimal, natural-looking makeup that won’t be distracting in your photo. Choose a style that best represents you and what you usually wear while traveling. There are plenty of options for neutral hairstyling that still allow you to get creative and take an elevated passport photo.

Pro tip: Opt for styles that elongate your neck and frame your face well. Half-up, half-down styles work great for this, or wearing your hair up but leaving some side pieces down in front of your ears to frame your face.

Choose a natural makeup look that compliments your facial features. For example, avoid over-lining your eyes or filing in heavy eyebrows. Choose natural colors for lipstick, go easy on foundation and blush, and avoid contouring. A skin tint, like this Summer Friday’s one from Sephora, will provide sheer-to-light coverage and a natural finish, perfect for your passport photo. If you haven’t already, sign up for Sephora text alerts and receive a Sephora promo code for 10% off your purchase.

If you are still unsure of how to style your hair and makeup for your passport photo, it can help to imagine getting off of an 11-hour plane ride and what you may look like when passing through immigration checkpoints. The more you look like your passport photo, the quicker you will be able to pass through security checkpoints and border controls.

Jewelry can help elevate your passport photo, but we recommend avoiding anything too big or bold that can distract from your face.

Consider simple, but elegant, stud earrings and a light necklace. Pearls or diamonds, even artificial ones, are a great way to level up your passport photo for elegance and timelessness and still meet the US government’s official requirements.

Nordstrom, Mejuri, and Lulu’s are all great choices for everyday earrings. We love these tiny gold hoops from Lulu’s to dress up your passport photo look, and they’re extra affordable using a Lulu’s promo code. 

You can find all of the official US government requirements for passport photos at travel.state.gov, including information on size and resolution. However, here is a summary of the official requirements relating to your appearance in your passport photo. 

Shadows and Lighting:

The photo should clearly show your face and skin tone and should not contain shadows. Aim for bright, direct lighting that adequately shows your facial features.

Digital Adaptations:

You cannot use digital services or software to edit or adapt your photo. This includes cropping, editing, AI manipulation, etc. For example, you cannot use your iPhone’s portrait mode to remove the background.

Facial Expressions and Poses:

Contrary to popular belief, you can smile in your passport photo. You must use a “neutral facial expression”, so a big toothy grin won't be accepted but a slight smile with your mouth closed is totally fine. Make sure to look squarely at the camera, keep your eyes open, and keep your head straight. Tilting your head or closing your eyes is not allowed.

What You Cannot Wear in a Passport Photo:

• Head coverings and hats
• Uniforms or clothes that look like uniforms
• Camouflage
• Headphones or wireless devices
• Masks
• Glasses of any type
  

Exceptions:

If you wear head coverings for medical or religious reasons you can submit a signed declaration from a doctor or a declaration of your religion stating that you wear the head covering in public on a daily basis.

If you wear glasses for medical reasons, you can include a signed declaration from your doctor for exemption. However, if you wear them in your passport picture you must wear them when crossing borders. If you have glasses you only wear occasionally, like for reading, keep them out of your photo.

Passport Picture Dress Code FAQ

What is the best color to wear for a passport photo?

The best color to wear for a passport photo is navy, black, or a dark grey. Passport photos are taken against a white background, so dark colors like these keep you from blending in. Any dark color will do, so if you prefer a deep purple or green you’re in the clear. Just avoid light colors like white, cream, light pink or light grey.

Do I have to wear my hair down for a passport photo?

No, you don’t have to wear your hair down in your passport picture as long as the style you choose keeps your face shape, eyes, and eyebrows visible. A ponytail or bun is acceptable, but for the most flattering picture we recommend leaving some face-framing pieces free. A half-up do is a nice option that pulls the hair back from your face but leaves some loose around your shoulders for framing.

Can I smile in my passport picture?

Yes, you can smile in your passport photo! You can have a slight smile with a closed mouth and it will meet the “neutral face expression” requirement. Don’t show your teeth, and don’t smile so big that you scrunch up your nose or cheeks.

Can I take my own passport photo at home?

Yes, you can take your own passport picture at home, but it will need to meet certain requirements to be accepted. It can’t be a selfie, you need to have someone else take it or use a tripod. You must use a plain white background with no objects visible. The camera should be at eye level with you facing straight at it, no head tilt or angles. And you need to have good lighting that doesn’t cause shadows or wash you out. All of the previously mentioned restrictions still apply.

Where can I get my passport picture taken?

If you decide to leave it to the professionals instead of taking your own passport photo, there are plenty of places that will take it for you. Walgreens, CVS, Staples, and UPS stores are all options you can find in most areas. You can also get it done at your local post office.