Guides and articles
Practical guidance on getting an ID photo accepted: what the rules actually are, where they differ by country, and the faults that cause refusals. Every document page also carries the specification for that document with a link to the issuing authority.
Why passport photos get rejected
The nine reasons ID photos are actually refused — wrong head size, a shadowed background, glare on glasses, a tilted head — shown beside a compliant photo.
Can you smile in a passport photo?
The U.S. allows a natural smile; the UK, Schengen area, Canada and most biometric standards require a neutral expression, mouth closed. The rule per country.
Can you wear glasses in a passport photo?
The U.S. banned glasses in passport photos in 2016; the UK and Europe allow them if the eyes are clearly visible with no glare. The rule country by country.
How to print a passport photo at home
Print passport photos at home at the right size: a 4x6 sheet at 100% with no scaling, borderless — and check it with a ruler before you cut.
How to photograph a baby for a passport
How to take an infant passport photo: baby on a white sheet, shot from directly above in daylight, hands out of frame — and where closed eyes are allowed.
Passport photo background rules
What background colour each country requires — white, off-white or light grey — why evenness matters more than the exact shade, and when replacing it is banned.
Passport photo DPI and pixel size
Why 35 x 45 mm is 413 x 531 pixels, why a portal asking for 600 x 600 px wants a 2 x 2 inch photo, and how to hit a pixel figure without losing quality.
Passport photo file size in KB
The actual kilobyte limits for the DS-160, U.S. online renewal, UK passports and the Chinese COVA form — and how to hit them without degrading the photo.
Head coverings in passport photos
Religious head coverings are allowed in most countries if the full face is visible and unshadowed — but France requires a bare head. The rule per authority.
How old can a passport photo be?
Six months is the usual limit, but the UK requires a photo taken in the last month — and one that no longer resembles you is refused whatever its date.
What to wear for a passport photo
What to wear so a passport photo is accepted: a colour that separates from a light background, no uniforms, no white tops, plus jewellery and make-up rules.
AI backgrounds and the U.S. photo ban
Why the U.S. State Department rejects AI-edited and digitally replaced backgrounds for online passport renewal, and what to submit instead.
Where to print
Where to get an ID photo printed, by country — the pharmacy and photo-shop chains that print 4x6 sheets, and how to order.