Afraid of your passport photo getting rejected? A single bad snap can add weeks to your application process. Here’s how to nail a perfect, accepted photo on your iPhone in under 5 minutes.
If you have an iPhone, you already have the best tool for taking your own passport photo in your pocket. However, proper lighting, composition, and printing techniques are essential to ensure your photo meets U.S. passport standards.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of taking a passport photo using your iPhone and getting it printed correctly so your photo is ready for your application submission.
If you’re still too nervous to go the DIY route, consider getting help from a reputable passport expediting service and be sure you get your application processed as quickly as you need without delays or mistakes.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need
Before you get started, you’ll need to gather the following:
- An iPhone with a high-resolution camera (iPhone 7 or newer is ideal);
- A plain white or off-white background (a wall or poster board works well);
- Good lighting (natural daylight is best—avoid shadows);
- Another person to take the photo (sorry, selfies are not allowed!);
- Photo editing app (the free ones in Windows and MacOS work fine!)
- Access to a printer or a photo lab for professional-quality printing.
Not sure what to wear? Read my post: What to Wear for a Passport Photo: How to Balance Style and Compliance for tips and pointers.
How to Take a Photo with an iPhone in Just 4 Steps
Follow these 4 steps to take a government-compliant passport photo:
1. Set Up Your Background
Choose a flat, plain white or off-white wall in a well-lit area. Ensure the space is free of decor, shadows, and glare (away from windows or reflective surfaces).
2. Get into Position
Stand about 2 feet from the wall. Your photographer should stand about 4–6 feet away and hold the iPhone at eye level with you.
Tip: Go into settings and turning on the camera app’s 3 x 3 grid mode. Line the eyes up with the top horizontal line and the chin with the lower horizontal line; it’s a foolproof way to ensure proper head spacing and sizing.
3. Frame the Shot
Your image should include:
- Full head and upper shoulders,
- Head centered and sized between 1″ and 1 3/8″ from chin to crown, and
- Even lighting with no shadows on the face or background.
Make sure you are facing the camera directly with a neutral expression—no smiling or frowning. Both of your eyes must be open, and your hair should not cover your face.
4. Turn Off Filters and Flash
Avoid portrait mode, filters, or any enhancements.
Use standard photo mode with natural light, and disable the flash to prevent hotspots or reflections.
Your photo must look as much like you in real life as possible.
Tips for Editing and Cropping
After taking your photo, you’ll need to do a little editing and cropping to fit the passport photo requirements. Here’s what you need to do:
- Check the head size and positioning per official photo requirements. See Passport Photo Requirements: Complete Guide for U.S. Applicants for those details.
- Adjust brightness or contrast only if necessary to maintain a natural appearance. Do not retouch or digitally alter facial features.
- Use the editing settings on your iPhone to crop the image to 2×2 inches (600×600 pixels minimum, 1200×1200 pixels recommended).
- Open your photo in Photos, tap Edit, then the Crop/Rotate icon.
- Tap the Aspect button (the overlapping-rectangles icon) and choose Square.
- Drag the corners so your head fills the frame correctly, then tap Done.
- Alternatively, you can crop using your PC as well:
- On Windows, you can use the built-in Photos app or Paint to quickly crop your image to a 2×2-inch square—just open the photo, select the crop tool, set a square aspect ratio, and resize. For a bit more control, free utilities like IrfanView let you specify exact pixel dimensions (e.g., 1200×1200) before saving.
- On macOS, the native Preview app makes cropping a breeze: open your photo, choose the rectangular selection, hold the Shift key to enforce a square, drag out your frame, then hit Tools → Crop. You can then export at the proper 2×2 size.
- On Linux, free tools like GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) give you full control—use the Rectangle Select tool, fix the aspect ratio to 1:1, draw your square, and go Image → Crop to Selection, then Image → Scale Image to 1200×1200 px.
- On Windows, you can use the built-in Photos app or Paint to quickly crop your image to a 2×2-inch square—just open the photo, select the crop tool, set a square aspect ratio, and resize. For a bit more control, free utilities like IrfanView let you specify exact pixel dimensions (e.g., 1200×1200) before saving.
Important Note: Do not do any retouching, filtering, or manipulation of your photo beyond simply cropping it to size. The State Department will reject passport photos they deem to be edited in any way.
Printing Your Passport Photo
Even if your iPhone photo looks perfect on-screen, the final printed version must also meet those official standards. Here are 3 printing options that you can choose from and a few printing tips to follow:
3 Printing Options:
- Photo Printer: Use a high-quality inkjet or dye-sublimation printer with photo paper. Avoid plain paper or low-quality ink.
- Photo Lab: Upload your photo to a service like CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart. Many offer passport photo printing for under $10.
- Local Print Shop: Bring your cropped image on a USB drive or email it to a local printer with experience in passport photo printing.
Important Printing Tips:
- Print on glossy or matte photo paper (not plain paper).
- Ensure the final size is exactly 2 x 2 inches.
Avoid visible pixels or blurring—your print must be clear, photo-quality. When in doubt, print it again.
FAQs About iPhone Passport Photos
Q: Can I take a passport photo with my iPhone at home?
A: Yes, as long as the photo meets U.S. passport requirements and is printed to the correct specifications.
Q: Can I use an iPhone selfie for a passport photo?
A: No. Selfies are not acceptable because of perspective distortion. Someone else must take the photo.
Q: Can I use an old photo taken with my iPhone?
A: No. As a rule, passport photos must be recent (taken within the last 6 months).
Q: Do I need a special photo editing app?
A: Not necessarily. The iPhone’s built-in camera and a free online tool are often enough. However, passport photo apps can simplify cropping and background adjustments.
Q: Can I print my passport photo at home?
A: Yes—if you have a high-quality printer and photo paper. Otherwise, we recommend using a photo lab or local print shop.
Final Thoughts
Taking a passport photo with your iPhone is convenient and cost-effective, but it requires careful attention to detail. From the lighting and composition to cropping and printing, every step is a factor in whether your photo is accepted or not.
If you want to save money and skip the photo center, following my guidance can help you take a professional-looking passport photo right from home. Just remember: Compliance is key. When in doubt, consult our Passport Photo Requirements: Complete Guide for U.S. Applicants for more help.
Safe travels,
Laura
