A rejected photo means a delay, a second photo fee and sometimes a missed trip. The reasons are few and repeat across countries. This guide lists them with the wording of the official pages, so the photo can be checked before it is sent. For lighting and camera tips, see how to make a passport photo at home.
The reasons that come up again and again
- Glasses. You cannot wear glasses in a US passport photo. The US State Department says to take off any eyeglasses, sunglasses or tinted glasses, with an exception for a signed doctor's note if glasses cannot be removed for medical reasons. Australia says no glasses unless they cannot be removed for medical reasons, and says vision impairment alone does not qualify. The UK says not to wear glasses unless you have to, with eyes fully visible and no glare. Canada accepts glasses if the eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare on the lenses.
- Shadows and reflections. The UK page asks for no shadows on the face or behind you. Australia asks for no shadows or reflections. The US page lists shadows and overexposure among common reasons for rejection.
- Background. The US asks for a white or off-white background without shadows, texture or lines. Canada asks for plain white or light-coloured. The UK asks for plain light-coloured. Australia asks for plain white or light grey that contrasts with the face.
- Expression. The US asks for a neutral expression with both eyes open and mouth closed. Canada adds that the person should not be smiling or frowning. The UK asks for a plain expression and mouth closed. Australia says anyone over 3 must face the camera straight on with a neutral expression.
- Head size and framing. The US head is 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) from chin to top of head on a 2 × 2 inch photo. Canada asks for a face 31 to 36 mm on a 50 × 70 mm photo. Australia asks for a face 32 to 36 mm. Photos taken too close or too far away are listed by the US as common problems.
- Old photos. The US says the photo must be taken within the last 6 months. Canada and Australia use 6 months too. The UK asks for a digital photo taken in the last month.
- Editing and filters. The US says not to change the photo with computer software, phone apps, filters or artificial intelligence. The UK requires digital photos to be unaltered by computer software. Canada says any editing, including colour, brightness, cropping or AI tools, leads to rejection of printed photos. Australia lists retouching among problem photos.
- Print and image quality. The US lists blurry or pixelated images and the wrong paper: it asks for matte or glossy photo-quality paper and does not accept photocopies or scans. For UK digital photos the page asks for at least 600 pixels wide and 750 tall, and between 50 KB and 10 MB.
Numbers and rules change. At the time of writing (October 2026) these were the figures on the official pages listed in the sources. Check the current page of your passport office before you take the photo.
The same rule, different paper
Size is where countries differ most. The US uses 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). Canada uses 50 × 70 mm. Australia accepts 35 to 40 mm wide and 45 to 50 mm high. The UK's digital upload is measured in pixels, and the camera or the service handles the crop. See the size and requirement page for each country: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Germany. The full list is at passport photo sizes by country.
When a photo from home is not accepted
Some rejections have nothing to do with how the photo looks. The process does not accept a self-made photo at all.
- Canada. Printed photos must come from a photographer, who writes or stamps the date and the studio's name and address on the back of one photo. For online renewal, digital photos must be taken in person by a commercial photographer, be no more than 6 months old, and be saved directly from the original camera file. The page says scanned copies of printed photos are not accepted.
- Australia. The passport office advises against using an online passport photo service or a mobile app, citing identity fraud risk, and recommends a professional photo provider.
- United Kingdom. A photo taken on your own device is allowed for the online application, but it has to follow the rules. The page says not to crop the photo, because it is done for you, and says photos from a booth or shop are more likely to be approved. Rules for printed photos for a paper application were not checked for this guide.
- United States. Printed photos must follow the paper and recency rules. Photos that are digitally altered or are scans are not accepted. A pixel and file-size range for digital uploads (600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels, JPEG, up to 240 kB) is published by the State Department for visa photos. Check the passport upload page for the passport rule.
Germany: digital photos only since 1 May 2025
Germany is the clearest case. According to the city of Cologne, from 1 May 2025 printed passport photos can no longer be used for ID cards and passports. The city says self-made digital photos, for instance made with photo apps, cannot be used either, and gives the risk of morphing as the reason. The city of Wiesbaden says only digital photos are accepted, and that printed paper photos are no longer permitted without exception. The photo is made at the photo terminal of the authority or at a certified photo service, which sends it securely to the authority. With a service, the customer receives a code to bring to the appointment, so check beforehand that the provider is connected to the transmission system.
This matches the existing German article Biometrisches Passbild digital. The practical result: for a German ID card or passport, no home photo or app can replace the terminal or the certified provider, and DocPro's tool is not the right way. For other uses, such as visas or other countries' documents, the rules of the receiving office apply. Details and fees vary by city, so confirm with the office that handles your application. This is not legal advice.
Check a photo with DocPro before you submit
DocPro's Passport photo maker helps with size, framing and print layout. It does not approve a photo for any authority.
- Open the tool and drop a clear, front-facing portrait into the drop area.
- Under 1 · Size, search for your country or visa in Search country or size and pick it. Choose Custom size to enter your own width and height in millimetres. The panel lists the print size, the head height range and any online upload limit.
- Drag the photo and use Zoom until the top of the head sits on the Top of head line and the chin falls inside the green band. Auto-place head makes a first guess, so check it yourself. Rotate left, Rotate right and Reset are there if the photo is sideways.
- Under 2 · Background, choose a colour only where the rules allow it, or Keep original.
- Under 3 · Digital photo, enter Maximum file size (KB) if a portal sets a limit, then press Make digital photo.
- Under 4 · Print sheet, choose Paper (4 × 6 in or A4), Number of photos and Thin cutting lines, then press Make print sheet. Print at 100 percent, with no fit-to-page option.
The photo is not uploaded. The head guide checks the common mistakes of head size, tilt and position before an office sees the picture.
What DocPro cannot do
- It cannot replace a photographer's code or stamp. Germany needs a terminal or a certified provider, and Canada needs a photographer's details on the back or in the digital file.
- Background replacement is editing. The US, UK and Canadian pages above forbid editing by software, and a replaced background is an edit. For these passports, take the photo against a real plain wall and use the tool only for size, framing and layout, if at all. Background replacement is useful where the receiving office allows it, and for photos that are not for official passports.
- Cropping may be edited too. The UK page tells people not to crop a photo taken on their own device for the online application. Canada lists cropping among alterations for printed photos. Follow the instructions of your office over the tool's preset.
- Cut-outs around hair can be imperfect, so check the edges.
- Presets are common requirements, not a guarantee. The tool itself tells users to check the authority's current rules.
Not legal advice. For a high-stakes application, ask the passport office or the receiving organisation.
Frequently asked questions
Why was my passport photo rejected?
The usual causes are glasses, shadows or reflections, a background that is not plain, a smile or open mouth, a photo older than the allowed age, editing or filters, and poor print quality. The rejection notice normally names the reason.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
You cannot wear glasses in a US passport photo: the State Department says to take off any eyeglasses, sunglasses or tinted glasses, with a signed doctor's note as the exception for medical reasons. Australia and the UK allow glasses only when they must be worn. Canada accepts glasses if the eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare.
How old can a passport photo be?
The US, Canada and Australia ask for a photo taken within 6 months. The UK asks for a digital photo taken in the last month. Check your office's current page.
Can I use a photo I took myself?
It depends on the country and the application. The UK allows a photo taken on your own device for an online application if it follows the rules. Germany does not accept self-made photos for ID cards and passports since 1 May 2025. Canada and Australia point applicants to photographers.
Does editing the background count as editing the photo?
Yes. Several offices say the photo must not be changed by software, and replacing the background is a change. Use a real plain background.