1
Camera distance
Hold the camera steady and keep enough room around the head and shoulders so the final crop stays sharp.
U.S. passport, visa, green card, and DV photos
Passport Photo Maker - Get a U.S. document photo in minutes
Snap, upload, and preview a passport-size photo prepared around official U.S. document-photo requirements.
Upload your selfie -> get a compliant passport-size preview
Free preview first
Upload and review the photo check before choosing a download.
Built for phone photos
Start from a normal photo and get a clean square output.
Independent service
Not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State, or any government agency.
Before
After
Government photo compliance guidance
As featured and referenced across travel and technology publications
Get photo for: U.S. documents
Choose the U.S. photo type and upload on this page.
No country picker, no app download, and no studio detour. Select passport, visa, green card, or DV Lottery and start with a free preview.
Get photo for: US Passport 2x2 inch
Upload your photo, then review the result.
Step 1/4
Choose document type
Upload your photo:
Accepted formats: .jpg, .png, .heic, .gif
Maximum file size: 10 MB
Processing mode
Default: white background
Drag and drop photo
(File not selected)
By clicking Start Processing, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Instructions:
How to take a good photo?
Photo Gov app. Your personal data is processed in accordance with security and privacy standards.
Ready to start
Upload a photo for free preview
From selfie to ID photo
The U.S. photo workflow, kept focused.
Broad global photo tools start with country and document selection. Photo Gov app skips the country step because every flow here is for U.S. document photos.
1
Choose U.S. document type
2
Upload or use camera
3
Review the preview report
4
Download clean files
1. Photo Upload
Take a selfie or choose a recent portrait from your phone.
Processing...
2. Processing
The preview is framed against U.S. document-photo proportions.
3. Download
Get a digital photo or print-ready sheet after review.
Popular documents
Photo guidelines for U.S. applications.
U.S. passport photo
2 x 2 inch photo with printable sheet options.
- 2x2 inch
- In color
- White background
Official requirements
Visa DS-160 photo
Square digital photo for online visa forms.
- 600x600 px
- JPEG
- White background
Official requirements
Green card photo
Passport-style photo guidance for USCIS filings.
- 2x2 inch
- USCIS style
- No glasses
Official requirements
DV Lottery photo
600 x 600 digital photo with file-size guidance.
- 600x600 px
- JPEG
- 240 KB max
Official requirements
100% compliance focus
The checks people usually worry about first.
These summaries are based on public U.S. government guidance. The final decision is always made by the agency, embassy, or consulate reviewing your application.
This tool helps prepare photos. It does not file forms, give legal advice, or act as a government website.
Photo size
Passport-style printed photos are 2 x 2 inches. Head height should be 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head.
Face and background
Use a recent color photo, face the camera, keep both eyes open, and use a plain white or off-white background.
Digital uploads
Visa and DV photos use square digital files. DV entries require a 600 x 600 JPEG that is 240 KB or less.
No appearance edits
Do not use filters, retouching, or AI changes that alter how you look.
Before you upload
A better starting photo gives a better result.
Start with a clear, recent photo; the checker can only work with the source image you upload.
2
Lighting
Use soft front-facing light. Avoid face shadows, background shadows, side light, and flash glare.
3
Framing
Face the camera directly with eyes open. Keep the full head visible before upload so the checker can crop cleanly.
4
Background
Use a plain white or off-white wall without objects, texture, or strong shadows.
Stand 4 to 6 feet from a plain white or off-white wall.
Use even light and avoid shadows on the face or background.
Face the camera directly with a neutral expression or natural smile.
Remove glasses, headphones, hats, and face coverings unless allowed.
Why you can trust Photo Gov app
Focused photo preparation with clear limits.
Official-source guidance
Requirement summaries stay tied to public U.S. government photo rules.
U.S.-only presets
No country picker. Every visible preset is for a U.S. document-photo workflow.
Free preview
See the locked preview and report before paying for clean files.
No app download
Use the camera or upload a file directly from the browser.
Secure checkout
Paid file unlocks are handled through the protected checkout flow.
Independent service
Photo Gov app is not a government agency and keeps that distinction visible.
Guides from Photo Gov app
Relevant U.S. photo articles.
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Ready to check your photo?