What to Wear for Passport Photo Day: Official Rules vs. Style Tips

The short answer: the U.S. Department of State rules out only a few things. Take off your glasses and your hat (a medical exception, or a religious one for head coverings, needs a signed statement), don't wear a uniform or camouflage, and remove headphones or earbuds. Jewelry is fine as long as it doesn't hide your face. Source Beyond the rules, a safe choice is a plain, solid-color top that stands out against a white background.

Check first: the current U.S. Department of State photo requirements and any exception paperwork.

By Weiwei · Updated October 26, 2026

That is the whole answer to what to wear for passport photo day, whether you go to an acceptance facility, a photo shop, or ask a friend to take the picture. Below, the official rules come first and our style tips come after, so you always know which is which.

The official U.S. passport photo rules for clothing and accessories

We read the State Department's Passport Photos page on October 26, 2026; the page says it was last updated on March 24, 2026. If you are looking for the new passport photo rules for 2026, the clothing rules below are the ones on that page. The State Department says unacceptable photos are "the number one reason why we put passport applications on hold." Source

Two general rules shape what to wear for passport photo sessions: the photo must show your full face, and you must "remove anything covering your face unless for documented religious or medical reasons." The background must be plain white or off-white. Source

Glasses

The rule: take off eyeglasses, sunglasses, and tinted glasses, and don't rest them on your head for the photo. If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, include a signed note from your doctor with your application. Source

Hats and head coverings

The rule: take off your hat or head covering. If you wear one for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that it is religious attire worn daily in public; if you wear one for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor's statement. Source

If you must wear a hat or head covering, your full face must be visible, nothing should cast shadows on or block your face, it should be one color, and the material should not have patterns or small holes. Face coverings and medical masks must come off. Source

Uniforms and camouflage

The rule: "You cannot wear a uniform, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage clothing." Source We suggest leaving work scrubs, military-style jackets, and camo prints at home, even if you plan to cover them.

Headphones and earbuds

The rule: you cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices in or on your ears. Source

Can you wear earrings and other jewelry?

Yes. You can wear jewelry and keep your facial piercings "as long as they do not hide your face." Source Tip: small earrings and a simple necklace keep the focus on your face; large, shiny pieces are allowed but can distract.

Can you smile?

Yes. "You can smile in your photo. Just make sure your eyes are open and your mouth is closed." Source

Other reasons a photo gets rejected, such as lighting, size, blur, and paper quality, are covered on the official page. We only list the ones that depend on what you wear.

The best colors to wear for a passport photo

The State Department sets a rule for the background, not for your clothes: it must be white or off-white, free of shadows, and plain without texture, objects, or lines. Source The page we read does not ban any clothing color.

Tip: because the background is white, a top with clear contrast tends to photograph best. Good choices are navy, charcoal, medium blue, burgundy, forest green, or a muted teal. Black also works, though against dark hair it can make your shoulders hard to see.

So what is the one color you should never wear in a passport photo? Officially, there isn't one. A white or cream top is not against the rules, but it can blend into the background so your shoulders seem to disappear. If you love white, add a cardigan or jacket in a darker color. The same logic answers the best color for women and men: pick a solid color that contrasts with white and that you like on yourself.

We also suggest skipping busy patterns, big logos, and neon shades; they are not banned, but they pull attention from your face.

Which top looks best in a passport photo

The photo shows your head and the top of your shoulders, so the neckline is the part of what to wear for passport photo day that matters most. Our tips for the most flattering top:

• Crew necks, collared shirts, and modest V-necks frame the face and make it obvious you are wearing a top.
• Avoid strapless or very low necklines. In a tight head-and-shoulders crop, they can look like no top at all.
• Choose smooth fabric. A plain knit or a pressed shirt looks neater than chunky texture, and matte fabric is easier to light than shiny satin.
• Layers are fine as long as they are not a uniform or camouflage. A blazer or cardigan over a plain top is a classic choice.

How to look good in a passport photo mostly comes down to basics: a top you feel comfortable in, a neutral expression, and the even lighting that the official page describes. Source

Can I wear makeup in a passport photo?

The State Department page we read does not mention makeup. What it does rule out is digital editing: "Do not change your photo using computer software, phone apps or filters." Source

Makeup is your choice. If you wear it, we suggest your everyday look, since the photo will identify you for years.

Hair: up, down, or in a ponytail?

The rule: the colored portions of your eyes must be clearly visible, and your hair must not obstruct or cover your eyes. Your hair may extend past the edges of the photo, as long as your entire head is shown and is the correct size. Source

So a ponytail, a bun, or loose hair are all fine under the rules. Tip: if you wear your hair down, tuck it behind your ears or shoulders so it doesn't fall across your face, and sweep long bangs to the side. Coloring your hair later is listed as a small change that does not require a new passport. Source

What to wear for passport photo appointments: women and men

These are our suggestions; none of them is an official rule unless it links to the State Department.

Women: a solid-color blouse, knit top, or sweater with a crew neck or modest V-neck works well. Earrings and other jewelry are allowed if they don't hide your face. Source If you will wear a headscarf for religious reasons, bring the signed statement and choose a single-color scarf with no pattern. Source

Men: a collared shirt or a plain crew-neck sweater in a medium or dark color is the easy answer. A tie and blazer are optional. Take off caps and earbuds before the photo. Keep your beard the way you usually wear it; growing a beard is listed as a small change that does not require a new passport. Source

Wherever you get the photo taken, at an acceptance facility, a photo vendor, or with a friend or family member, the answer to what to wear for passport photo appointments stays the same. Source

Babies and kids

The official rules for babies and toddlers focus on the setup. Place your child on a plain white or off-white sheet, or cover a car seat with the sheet. No other person can be in the photo, the child must face the camera with a neutral expression and a fully visible face, and it is okay if a baby's eyes are not entirely open; all other children must have their eyes open. Source

Tip: because the sheet is white, dress babies in a colored onesie or top so they don't blend into the background. Keep hands and pacifiers away from the face; the official examples show a pacifier blocking part of the face as unacceptable. Source For older kids, what to wear for passport photo day follows the adult rules: no glasses, no hat, and a plain solid top.

Renewing online or using a digital photo

For online renewal, the State Department says to upload a digital photo to your application. Source We suggest following the same advice on what to wear for passport photo prints. For visa photos and other ID photos, we suggest checking the requirements of the agency that issues them.

Another occasion where official rules decide the answer: what to wear to jury duty, where courts set their own rules.

The rules on this page come from the State Department's Passport Photos page, read on October 26, 2026 (page last updated March 24, 2026). We re-check it before each update; the official page always takes priority.