How to take a passport photo at home with your phone

Updated 8 November 2026

You can take a passport photo at home with a phone and get it accepted, as long as you control three things: the light, the wall behind you and where the camera is. Most rejections come from shadows, from standing too close to the camera, or from a background that isn’t plain.

Check first that your document allows it. A US passport photo can be taken by a friend or family member. A UK online application needs someone to help you take it. Canada doesn’t accept home photos: they must be taken by a commercial photographer.

Set up the room

Room setup seen from above: you stand away from a plain light wall, facing a window, with a helper holding the phone at eye level about 1 to 2 metres in front of you and the ceiling light off — Face a window, keep your back to a plain wall with a gap behind you, and have someone else hold the phone.

Find a plain, light wall. US photos need white or off-white with no texture, objects or lines. The UK asks for a plain light-coloured background. If your wall isn’t white, the State Department suggests hanging a white sheet over it.
Face a window in daylight. Light from in front of you lights your face evenly. Avoid direct sun, which makes harsh shadows.
Turn off the ceiling light. The State Department warns that overhead lights and lights far to the side cast shadows on your face.
Step away from the wall. The State Department says to stand several feet from it, so your shadow doesn’t land behind you.

Get the light right

Lighting compared: daylight from the front gives even light; a ceiling light, a side window or standing against the wall all cause shadows — Only the first set-up gives even light. The other three are common reasons photos are rejected.

Look at your face in the phone screen before you take the photo. Both cheeks should be equally bright, and there should be no dark patches under your eyes, nose or chin. If one side is darker, turn until the window is straight in front of you. The shadows guide covers more fixes.

Position the camera

Ask someone else to take it. The State Department says to stand several feet from the camera. At arm’s length your face fills the frame and looks distorted. If you’re alone, prop the phone at eye level and use the timer.
Hold the camera at eye level, not below your chin or above your head, and keep it level.
Leave space around you. Get your head, shoulders and some space above your head in the frame. GOV.UK asks for your head, shoulders and upper body and says not to crop the photo yourself. For other documents, our tool crops to the exact size later.
Use the main camera at its highest quality, not a portrait or beauty mode. Those modes blur the background or smooth your skin, which counts as an edit.

Pose

Head straight and centred, both eyes open, mouth closed.

Face the camera directly and keep your head level, without tilting it up, down or to the side.
Keep both eyes open and your mouth closed. The US allows a smile with your mouth closed. The UK asks for a plain expression, and Canada says not smiling or frowning.
Keep hair off your face so your eyes and the edges of your face are visible.
Take off glasses for US photos. Other countries have different rules: see glasses and glare.
See what to wear for clothing, hats and jewellery.

Take several and pick the best

Take five or more photos, then zoom in on each one. Pick one that is sharp, with your eyes open and no shadows on your face or the wall. Don’t fix the one you like with filters or edits. The State Department says it checks all photos for digital changes, and GOV.UK says photos must not be altered by computer software.

Make it the right size

Upload your chosen photo to the tool for your document, such as US passport, US visa or UK online passport. It crops the photo to the official size and head position without changing your face or background, and shows a free preview before you pay. You can also run it through the free photo checker first.

Acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.

Common questions

Can I take my own passport photo with my phone?

For a US passport, yes. The State Department lists a friend or family member as a place to get your photo. For a UK online application you need someone to help you take it. Canada doesn't accept home photos; a commercial photographer must take them.

Can I take a passport photo as a selfie?

Avoid it. The State Department says to stand several feet from the camera, and an arm's-length selfie is too close, which makes your face look bigger and distorted. Ask someone to take it, or use a phone timer on a stand.

Can I smile in a US passport photo?

The State Department says you can smile as long as your eyes are open and your mouth is closed. The UK asks for a plain expression, and Canada says not smiling or frowning.

What if my wall isn't white?

The State Department suggests covering a non-white wall with a white blanket or sheet. Pull it flat so it has no creases or shadows.