How to Make a Passport Photo at Home for Free (No Software Needed)

The Passport Photo Markup Nobody Talks About

Walk into a Walgreens, CVS, or post office and ask for passport photos. You'll pay somewhere between $15 and $25 for two 2×2 inch prints. The whole process takes about five minutes. The photographer uses a smartphone on a stick, you stand in front of a paper backdrop, and you get a pair of photos that cost the store about $0.40 to print.

The markup is extraordinary — sometimes over 5,000%. And yet millions of people pay it every year because they don't know the alternative exists.

You can make a fully compliant passport photo at home, for free, using nothing more than your smartphone and a browser. No software to install. No account to create. No cost. The photo you produce will meet the official requirements for US, UK, EU, Australian, Indian, and most other passports.

This guide walks you through every step — from taking the shot to printing the final product — including the exact specifications your country requires.

Are Home-Taken Passport Photos Accepted?

Yes — and this surprises most people. The US State Department, UK His Majesty's Passport Office, EU member state authorities, and most other passport agencies do not require photos to be taken by a professional photographer. They require that photos meet specific technical standards. Who took the photo is irrelevant.

Millions of passport applications are submitted with self-taken photos every year. They are accepted as long as they comply with the size, background, expression, and quality requirements for the relevant country. The checklist is specific, but none of it requires visiting a photo studio.

Passport Photo Requirements by Country

Requirements vary by country but follow a predictable structure. Here are the official specifications for the most common passport types.

United States Passport

• Size: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm)
• Head size: Chin to top of head: 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm). Head must fill 50–69% of the photo frame.
• Background: Plain white or off-white. No shadows. No patterns.
• Expression: Neutral or natural smile. Both eyes open and looking forward.
• Glasses: Not permitted (US policy since November 2016).
• Headwear: Not permitted except for documented religious reasons.
• Recency: Taken within the last 6 months.
• Print: High-resolution, printed on photo-quality paper.

UK Passport

• Size: 35×45 mm
• Head size: Chin to crown: 29–34 mm
• Background: Plain light grey or cream — not pure white (different from US)
• Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, looking directly at camera
• Eyes: Open, clearly visible, no glasses
• Recency: Taken within the last month

EU / Schengen Visa

• Size: 35×45 mm
• Head size: Chin to top of head: 32–36 mm
• Background: Plain white or very light grey
• Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, facing forward
• Recency: Within last 6 months

Australian Passport

• Size: 35×45 mm
• Head size: Chin to crown: 32–36 mm
• Background: Plain white or light grey
• Expression: Neutral or slight smile, mouth closed
• Recency: Within last 6 months

Indian Passport

• Size: 51×51 mm (2×2 inches)
• Background: Plain white
• Expression: Neutral expression, facing forward, both eyes open
• Recency: Within last 6 months

China Visa

• Size: 33×48 mm
• Head size: 28–33 mm chin to crown
• Background: Plain white
• Expression: Neutral, both ears visible, no glasses

Step 1: Take the Right Photo

The most important step in making a compliant passport photo is taking a good source photo. Get this right and the rest is straightforward.

What You Need

• A smartphone (any modern phone — the last three years of hardware is more than sufficient)
• A plain wall — ideally white or light-colored, but any color works since you'll remove the background digitally
• Good natural light from a window, or a lamp positioned at face level
• Someone to hold the phone, or a way to prop it up at eye level

Setting Up the Shot

Background placement: Stand at least two feet in front of the wall. This distance prevents shadows from falling on the surface behind you. You're going to remove the background digitally anyway, so a colored or patterned wall is completely fine — just avoid standing flush against anything with deep texture that might look like part of your silhouette.

Lighting: Face a window with natural daylight. This gives you even, shadow-free light across your face. Avoid direct sunlight through the window — it creates harsh shadow contrasts. If shooting at night or indoors without natural light, position a lamp at eye level and slightly in front of you. Overhead lighting creates dark under-eye shadows that look unflattering in passport photos and can trigger rejection systems.

Camera position: Eye level, roughly arm's length away. Not below (distorts jaw and forehead proportions) and not from above (makes the head appear too small in the frame). Use the rear camera if someone else holds the phone — the rear sensor is significantly better than the front-facing camera on most smartphones.

Framing: Include your full head and at least the top third of your shoulders. Leave two to three inches of space above your head in the frame. You want room to adjust the crop in the editing step without losing important details.

Expression: Neutral, or a very slight natural smile with your mouth closed. Both eyes open and looking directly into the lens — not at the screen. Relax your jaw and shoulders consciously before shooting.

Take more photos than you think you need: Shoot 15–20 frames with minor variations in expression. You want options when you review them later. The single best frame from a large set is almost always better than the single best frame from a small set.

What to Wear

Wear anything you'd normally wear. Avoid white or cream-colored clothing if you're using a white background — it will blend at the edges and the AI may struggle to find your shoulder lines. Solid colors work best. Avoid busy patterns or stripes, not because they're rejected by passport authorities, but because they distract from the face in the final photo.

Step 2: Remove the Background

Open BG Remove Free in your browser. This runs entirely in your browser — your photo never gets sent to any server. It uses your device's GPU to process the image locally.

This matters for passport photos specifically. These images contain your face and are tied to your legal identity. Processing them entirely on your own device, with no upload, means no third-party ever receives a copy.

Choosing the Right AI Model for Portrait Photos

The quality of background removal matters more for portraits than for product photos. Hair edges in particular can make or break a passport photo. Recommendation:

• RMBG-1.4 FP16 (88MB): Best balance of quality and speed for most users. Handles hair edges, ear outlines, and collar lines well. This is the right choice for most portrait use cases.
• RMBG-1.4 F32 Max (176MB): The full-precision model. Use this for very fine or flyaway hair, or if you want the absolute best edge quality. Takes slightly longer to process and download.

Avoid the ultra-lite 4MB model for passport photos — it's excellent for quick product shots but can produce soft edges around hair that passport inspection systems flag.

Processing Your Photo

1. Select and load your chosen model (first time only — it caches in your browser after the initial download).
2. Drag and drop your chosen photo onto the upload area, or click to select it from your device.
3. The AI processes the image. On a modern laptop with a discrete GPU, this takes 2–5 seconds. On older hardware or via WASM fallback, allow 10–20 seconds.
4. Review the result carefully. Check: hair edges, ear outlines, collar, any stray background pixels.
5. If anything looks off, use the manual editor to paint corrections.

Using the Manual Touch-Up Editor

Click "Edit Manually" to open the brush-based correction tool. You can erase background pixels the AI missed, or restore foreground pixels the AI accidentally removed (common near flyaway hair or fine collar stitching). Most well-shot photos require one to two minutes of touch-up, if any. Use a smaller brush for fine edges and a larger brush for open areas.

Step 3: Use the Passport Photo Tool

Once the background is removed and you're satisfied with the cutout, click the "Passport Photo" button in the post-processing toolbar. This opens a dedicated modal with everything needed to produce a print-ready passport photo.

Select Your Template

Choose from the built-in templates:

• US Passport — 2×2 in (600×600 px at 300 DPI)
• EU / Schengen Visa — 35×45 mm (413×531 px at 300 DPI)
• UK Passport — 35×45 mm (413×531 px at 300 DPI)
• Australian Passport — 35×45 mm (413×531 px at 300 DPI)
• Indian Passport — 51×51 mm (600×600 px at 300 DPI)
• China Visa — 33×48 mm (390×567 px at 300 DPI)

All templates encode the exact official dimensions. The pixel counts correspond to 300 DPI output — the standard print resolution for photo-quality prints.

Set the Background Color

Choose the background color matching your country's requirement:

• US Passport: White (#FFFFFF)
• UK Passport: Light grey (#E5E5E5) or cream — not pure white
• EU/Schengen, Australian, Indian: White (#FFFFFF) or light grey (#E5E5E5)
• China Visa: White (#FFFFFF)

The background color presets in the tool include white, light blue, light grey, and solid red/blue for visa types that require colored backgrounds.

Position and Size Your Face

This is the most critical adjustment. Drag your subject to center their face within the template frame. Use scroll wheel or pinch-to-zoom to adjust the scale.

Guidelines for correct head sizing:

• US Passport: Your head (chin to crown, not including hair) should fill roughly 50–69% of the 2×2 frame height. In the print, the head should measure 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches tall. In the 600×600 px digital file, that's approximately 150–206 pixels for the chin-to-crown measurement.
• UK / EU / Australian: Head fills approximately 71–80% of the 35×45mm frame height. In pixel terms at 300 DPI, that's around 340–385 pixels of chin-to-crown height in a 531px frame.

A practical rule of thumb for all countries: the face should be clearly dominant in the frame, with visible space above the head (sky room) and below the chin.

Single Photo vs. Print Sheet

Two output modes are available:

• Single photo: Downloads one passport-size PNG at the exact template dimensions. Use this for digital submissions (online passport renewal, visa applications that accept digital uploads).
• Print sheet (collage): Creates a 4×6 inch or A4 sheet with multiple copies of your passport photo tiled with dashed cut guides. This is the file you take to a pharmacy for physical prints. A 4×6 sheet fits 4 copies of a US passport photo, or 6 copies of a 35×45mm photo.

For a physical passport application, select the print sheet mode and choose your sheet size before downloading.

Step 4: Print Your Passport Photo

There are three options for printing. The drugstore method is easiest and produces the best results for most people.

Option A: Pharmacy Photo Kiosk (Recommended)

Upload your print sheet PNG to a pharmacy photo service — Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Boots (UK), Chemist Warehouse (Australia). Select a 4×6 inch photo print. This costs approximately $0.35–0.50.

Instructions that matter:

1. Select "4×6 Photo Print" — not "passport photo" (that's the expensive service).
2. Upload your downloaded print sheet.
3. When reviewing the order, confirm the image is not being cropped. Print at exact 4×6 inches, no zoom, no fit-to-border.
4. Select same-day pickup. Pick it up, cut along the dashed lines with scissors.

The output is genuine photo paper at 300 DPI — identical quality to what the in-store passport photo service produces, at a fraction of the cost.

Option B: Home Printer

Load photo-quality matte or glossy paper (not standard office paper — passport authorities specify photo paper). Set your printer to the highest quality photo output mode. Print at exactly 4×6 inches with no scaling or fitting applied. Cut along the dashed guides.

The key constraint here: US passport requirements specifically state photos must be printed on photo-quality paper. Standard inkjet paper on a regular office printer does not meet this requirement.

Option C: Digital Submission

For online passport renewals (US State Department's online renewal system launched in 2024) and many visa applications, you submit a digital photo file rather than physical prints. Download the single photo PNG at exact template dimensions. Check the specific resolution requirements for your application — the tool outputs at 600×600px for US passports, which exceeds the minimum required resolution.

Common Reasons Passport Photos Get Rejected

Passport agencies and post offices reject a substantial number of submitted photos. Most rejections are preventable. Here are the most frequent causes and how to avoid each one.

Shadows on the Face or Background

What happens: Overhead lighting casts dark shadows under eyebrows and nose; standing too close to the wall creates a shadow behind the head.

Fix: Face a window for natural light. Stand at least two feet from the background. In post-processing, the AI removes the physical background — but shadows on your face stay in the photo and can cause rejection.

Head Outside the Required Size Range

What happens: Head appears too small (subject was photographed from too far) or too large (too close, or cropped wrong).

Fix: Use the zoom control in the passport photo tool to adjust. Remember: the head size rule refers to the distance from chin to top of skull — not including hair. A large afro or pulled-up hairstyle does not change the chin-to-crown measurement that matters for compliance.

Eyes Not Fully Open or Not Looking Forward

What happens: Squinting in bright light; looking slightly to one side; one eye catching a glint from a window.

Fix: Shoot in indirect natural light rather than direct sunlight. Take many frames and review them on a large screen before choosing. Look slightly above the camera lens — this produces the appearance of looking directly into the camera in the final image.

Glasses in the Photo

What happens: Applicant wears prescription glasses and doesn't realize glasses are prohibited.

Fix: Remove glasses for the photo. This applies to US passports (since 2016), UK passports, Australian passports, and most other countries. Sunglasses are always prohibited.

Wrong Background Color

What happens: Using a grey background for a US passport (requires white) or using pure white for a UK passport (requires light grey or cream).

Fix: Match the background color preset to the specific country requirement. These are different for a reason — don't assume all passports accept the same background.

Photo Printed on Plain Paper

What happens: Photo printed on standard office paper instead of photo-quality paper.

Fix: Use a pharmacy print service or photo paper at home. This is one of the most common rejection causes for home-prepared photos and one of the easiest to avoid.

Photo Is Too Old

What happens: Photo taken more than 6 months ago (US, EU, Australia, India) or more than 1 month ago (UK).

Fix: Retake. Recency is strictly enforced. A photo taken 7 months ago of someone who looks identical will still be rejected based on date.

Mouth Slightly Open

What happens: Natural relaxed expression leaves the mouth marginally open, which some automated photo checkers flag.

Fix: Close your mouth gently. Lightly touch your upper and lower teeth together (without tensing the jaw) — this keeps the mouth in a naturally closed position while avoiding the strained look of pressing lips together firmly.

Passport Photos for Children and Babies

Children's passport photos follow the same technical rules as adult photos, with a few practical accommodations that passport agencies officially recognize:

• Infants and babies may have eyes that are not fully open — this is acceptable if the child is too young to hold them open consistently.
• Infants can be photographed lying on a white blanket and photographed from above. Remove the blanket texture using the background removal tool and replace with a solid white background.
• A parent must not appear in the photo — the child must be the only person visible.
• Children under the age of approximately 3 do not need to have a neutral expression — some agencies explicitly acknowledge that young children may smile.
• The same head size requirements apply regardless of the subject's age.

For babies and toddlers, take many shots in rapid succession between expressions. Selecting the best frame from 30 shots takes the same time as reshooting — and the first approach produces far better results.

The Financial Case for Doing This at Home

For a single person, the savings are modest but immediate. For a family, the math is compelling.

Method	Cost per person	Cost for family of 4
Walgreens / CVS in-store service	$15–25	$60–100
USPS post office service	$18–20	$72–80
Professional photographer	$25–45	$100–180
BG Remove Free + 4×6 pharmacy print	~$0.35–0.50	~$1.40–2.00

The savings for a family of four are $60–180. With online photo ordering, the pharmacy prints are often ready for in-store pickup within an hour. The total time investment — from taking photos to picking up prints — is under 30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to take your own passport photo?

Yes, in all major countries. Passport photo requirements govern the technical quality of the photo, not who took it. Self-taken photos are explicitly accepted by the US State Department, UK HMPO, Australian Passport Office, and equivalent agencies worldwide. Professional photography studios produce compliant photos — they are not a requirement.

Can I use my smartphone camera?

Yes. Any modern smartphone produces photos that meet and exceed passport photo resolution requirements. The limiting factor is lighting and framing, not the camera hardware. A well-lit photo taken on a three-year-old iPhone or Android phone will be accepted; a poorly lit photo taken on a professional DSLR will be rejected.

Does the photo need to be in color?

Yes. All major passport authorities require color photos. Black and white photos are not accepted.

What's the minimum resolution for a digital passport photo submission?

For US online submissions, the State Department requires a minimum of 600×600 pixels. The passport photo tool outputs at exactly 600×600 pixels for the US template (300 DPI at 2×2 inches), which meets this requirement. Most countries accepting digital photos require a minimum of 400–600 pixels per side.

What if my passport photo gets rejected?

Retake it. The rejection notice will specify which requirement wasn't met — head size out of range, background issue, expression, or print quality. Since this method costs essentially nothing per attempt, retaking is not a significant burden. Review the specific failure reason, adjust, and resubmit. Most first-time issues are corrected in one retake.

Can I print from a home inkjet printer?

Only if you use photo-quality paper (matte or glossy), not regular office paper. Standard inkjet paper does not meet passport photo requirements in most countries, which specify photo-quality paper. If you don't have photo paper, the pharmacy option is easier and produces guaranteed-compliant output.

How many photos do I need?

US passport applications require 2 physical photos. UK passport applications require 1 photo for the application plus 1 for a countersignatory if required. EU applications vary by member state. Australian applications require 2 photos. Check the specific requirements for your application form before printing — printing extras costs very little.

Can I use a photo I already have, taken years ago?

No. Most passport authorities require photos taken within the last 6 months (UK requires within 1 month). Using an old photo, even if you look identical, will result in rejection. The recency requirement is checked by the submission date, not by appearance comparison.

My background is already white — do I still need to remove it?

Possibly not for the removal step, but you still benefit from using the passport photo tool for precise sizing and layout. Even a white wall will have shadows, texture, and uneven exposure that don't meet the "plain white, no shadows" requirement. Processing through the background removal tool replaces this with a clean, uniform white — which is what passport authorities require.

Conclusion

Making a compliant passport photo at home is genuinely straightforward. The technology that used to require a professional studio — precise background control, exact dimensional sizing, print-ready collage output — runs directly in your browser with no subscription, no account, and no cost. The entire workflow from taking the photo to having a print-ready file takes under 15 minutes. The cost per person is the price of a 4×6 photo print: about $0.40.

The only real requirement is a phone with a camera and a window with decent daylight. Everything else is handled by the tools covered in this guide.

Ready to start? Open BG Remove Free, remove the background from your photo, then click "Passport Photo" to size and format it for your country. Download the print sheet and take it to a pharmacy for a $0.35–0.50 print.

Your photos stay on your device throughout the process — nothing is uploaded or stored on any server. For more on how that works, read our guide on removing backgrounds without uploading to any server. To understand the underlying technology, see our explainer on how WebGPU powers local browser AI.