ABLEPRO ID PHOTO GUIDE

Take your ID photo

Choose what the photo is for, take it with your device camera, line it up, and save or print the finished photo. Everything happens in this browser. Your photo is not sent to AblePro or stored on a server.

1Choose
2Camera
3Line up
4Finished photo

1. What is the photo for?

The finished file depends on where it is going. If you are not sure the agency wants a photo from you, use the checker first: many offices take the photo for you. Check whether you need to provide a photo

U.S. passport — printed photoFor a paper application or paper renewal (DS-11, DS-82). Makes a 2 × 2-inch photo you can print at home or at a photo store.U.S. visa — digital photo fileFor the DS-160 or DS-260 upload. Makes a square JPEG between 600 and 1,200 pixels and no larger than 240 KB. Immigrant visa interviews (DS-260) also need two printed 2 × 2-inch photos; you can print them from the finished screen.U.S. passport — online renewal uploadSaves your full, uncropped original. The State Department’s online renewal asks for the original image and lets you crop it inside the application. Accepted files are JPG, PNG, HEIC, or HEIF, 54 KB to 10 MB; this tool saves a JPG.Another application — full camera imageSaves the full camera image as a JPEG without cropping or resizing. Use the official application’s own size rules or crop tool.

Key rules for this photo

Taken within the last 6 months, in color.
Plain white or off-white background with no shadows, texture, or objects.
Head 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of head on the 2 × 2-inch print.
Remove glasses. Remove hats and head coverings unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons (a signed statement is required).
Face the camera, eyes open, mouth closed; a natural smile is allowed.
No uniforms, camouflage, headphones, filters, or edits.

State Department passport photo rules ↗

Before you start the camera

Stand 2 to 3 feet in front of a plain white or off-white wall so your shadow does not fall behind your head. A white sheet over a door or wall works.
Face a window or soft light. Turn off a single bright overhead light that casts shadows.
Put the phone at eye level, about 4 feet away, on a stand or shelf — or ask someone to hold it.
Remove glasses, hats, earbuds, and anything covering your face. Move hair away from your eyes.
Use the self-timer if you are taking the photo alone — or take it with your phone’s camera app and choose it on the next screen.

Read the full photo guide with examples