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AnswerUnited States passportchecked November 10, 2026

Your passport photo was not accepted: what to do now

After you apply, a State Department employee reviews your photo. If there is a problem, they send a letter or email asking for a new photo, and your application is on hold until you reply. Follow the instructions in that letter exactly, and take a new photo rather than editing the old one.

Why it happens

  • The background was not plain white or off-white, or had shadows.
  • The face was too dark, too bright, or lit unevenly.
  • The head was too small, too large, tilted, or not facing the camera.
  • The photo was blurry, pixelated, or printed with visible printer dots.
  • Glasses, a hat, a uniform or headphones were in the photo.
  • The photo was edited, filtered or made with an AI tool.

How to fix it

  1. Read the reason

    The letter or email names the problem. Fix that one first.

  2. Take a new photo

    Use a plain white wall, daylight from the front, and a camera at eye height several feet away.

  3. Check it

    Run the new photo through the free checker on this page before you send it.

  4. Reply the way the letter says

    Send the new photo by the method and deadline the letter gives, with any reference number it includes.

Check your photo now, free

2 in 2 in 25–35 mm

Checks

  1. Add a photo to see the crop and the checks.

Bought your photo here and it was still rejected? You get a free redo or a refund. See the guarantee

Questions

Do I have to apply again?

The letter tells you. Usually you only send a new photo and keep the same application.

I bought my photo from you. What now?

Use the guarantee form. We give you a free redo or refund the full price.