7 Reasons Your Passport Photo Was Rejected (and How to Fix Each One)

About 1 in 4 passport applications get delayed because of photo issues. The State Department is strict — even small problems can trigger a rejection and add weeks to your processing time. Here are the seven most common reasons, and how to fix each one.

1. Wrong Size or Dimensions

The photo must be exactly 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). Your head, from the bottom of your chin to the top of your hair, must be between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) tall. Photos where the head is too small (taken from too far away) or too large (cropped too tight) get rejected.

Fix: Use Kindro.me to automatically crop and center your face to the correct dimensions. The AI measures head height and positions it within the required range.

2. Non-White or Uneven Background

The background must be plain white or off-white. Colored walls, patterned wallpaper, outdoor backgrounds, and visible furniture all cause rejections. Even a white wall with a visible shadow counts as non-uniform.

Fix: Take your photo against any background — Kindro's AI removes it and replaces it with a clean white background automatically.

3. Shadows on Face or Background

Overhead lighting creates shadows under your nose, eyes, and chin. Standing too close to a wall creates a shadow behind you. Both cause rejections because they obscure facial features or make the background non-uniform.

Fix: Face a window for natural, even lighting. Stand 2–3 feet away from the wall to avoid casting a shadow on it. If shadows persist, Kindro's background removal eliminates wall shadows entirely.

4. Wearing Glasses

Since November 2016, the State Department does not allow glasses in passport photos — no exceptions, not even prescription glasses. This is the single most common rejection reason that people don't know about. Even clear, non-reflective glasses are rejected.

Fix: Remove all glasses before taking the photo. The only exception is if you cannot remove glasses for medical reasons and have a signed doctor's statement.

5. Expression or Mouth Open

You need a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Smiling is technically allowed, but a "natural, neutral expression" is recommended. Wide smiles, raised eyebrows, squinting, and an open mouth all cause rejections.

Fix: Relax your face. Close your mouth. Don't try to smile — just look straight at the camera with a calm expression.

6. Eyes Closed or Looking Away

Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera. Photos taken mid-blink, with eyes looking to the side, or with the head tilted get rejected. For babies and young children, both eyes must be open — which is the hardest part.

Fix: Take several photos and pick the best one. For babies, hold them facing the camera and have someone get their attention just behind the phone. Use burst mode (hold the shutter button) to capture multiple frames.

7. Low Resolution or Blurry

The State Department requires at least 600×600 pixels for digital submissions and 300 DPI for prints. Blurry photos, heavily compressed JPEG artifacts, and low-light grain all cause rejections. Screenshots of photos (which lose resolution) are a common culprit.

Fix: Use your phone's rear camera, not the front camera. Make sure the lens is clean. Hold still or use a timer. Don't screenshot a photo — use the original file. Kindro outputs at 300 DPI automatically.

How to Avoid Rejection Entirely

The easiest way to avoid all of these issues is to take a well-lit photo with your phone, then upload it to Kindro.me. The AI handles background removal, face centering, sizing to 2×2, and outputs at 300 DPI. It catches most of the technical issues that cause rejections — the only things you need to get right are removing your glasses and keeping a neutral expression.