Will you be able to take your passport photo on your phone?
In July 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department is building a way to take your passport photo on your own phone or computer, checked in real time with facial recognition. In September 2026 he said first passports can be applied for entirely online starting next year, with a phone photo or an upload. No exact date has been set. Today you can already take the photo at home, as long as it meets the photo rules.
What was announced
In July 2026, Secretary Rubio said applicants should be able to take the photo on their own device instead of going somewhere, with real-time facial recognition checking it. In September 2026 he said this will start with first passports applied for online next year. There is no exact launch date yet. We will update this page when there is.
What you can do today
- Take the photo at home: the State Department lists a friend or family member as one way to get your photo; what matters is that it meets the rules
- Renew online and upload a digital photo, if you qualify (see online renewal)
- For a first passport or a child’s passport, bring a printed 2 × 2 photo to the acceptance facility
The September 2026 update
On September 29, 2026, Secretary Rubio spoke at the launch of America.gov. He said that starting next year, Americans will be able to apply for their first passport entirely online.
He showed the photo step. You could take a new photo of yourself on your phone, or upload one from your device. You would then see the photo in the context of the finished passport.
Sign-in would use Login.gov, so your name and address fill in for you. The stated goal: most Americans apply for a passport or passport card on America.gov by the end of 2027.
No exact launch date was given. As of October 16, 2026, travel.state.gov still says adults getting a first passport must apply in person at an acceptance facility.
Timeline so far
- July 2, 2026: at the Patriot Passport launch, Rubio said you should be able to take the picture on your own device. Facial ID would be verified in real time. He said the department hoped to roll it out in a few months, when ready
- September 29, 2026: at the America.gov event, he said first passports can be applied for entirely online starting next year, with a phone photo or an upload
Phone photos you can use today: online renewal
Online renewal already takes a digital photo, which can come from a phone. You can renew online if all of these apply:
- You are 25 or older
- Your passport was valid for 10 years, and it expires within 1 year or expired less than 5 years ago
- You are not changing your name or sex, and you are not traveling for at least 6 weeks
- You are in a US state or territory when you submit
Upload rules for a renewal photo
- File type: JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF. Phones often save in one of these automatically
- File size: 54 KB to 10 MB
- Don’t send the photo to yourself by text message, because that lowers its quality
- Don’t photograph or scan a printed photo
- No filters, retouching or editing apps. The State Department checks every photo for digital changes
Leave extra room around your head. You can crop the photo inside the application.
What happens after you upload
The upload tool checks basic requirements. If your photo fails, it tells you what to change, and you can try a different photo.
After you submit, a State Department employee reviews the photo. If there is a problem, you get a letter or email asking for a new one. You have 90 days to respond.
PassportOwl never retouches photos; it only crops and sizes the original. For phone-specific tips, see iPhone or Android.
Already have a photo? Check it free with the passport photo checker. Every rule in one place: passport photo requirements.
Questions
Can I already take my passport photo at home?
Yes, as long as it meets the photo rules.
When will the State Department’s phone photo launch?
In September 2026, Secretary Rubio said first passports can be applied for online, with a phone photo, starting next year. As of October 16, 2026, no exact date has been set.
Can I apply for my first passport online?
Not yet, as of October 16, 2026. Secretary Rubio said first passports can be applied for online starting next year, but no exact date has been set.
Can I take my own passport photo for online renewal?
The upload page refers to “the person taking your photo” and doesn’t mention selfies. It says to stand several feet from the camera, which is easier with a helper.
What file types does online passport renewal accept?
JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF files from 54 KB to 10 MB.
Do I still need a printed photo for a child’s passport?
Yes. Children under 16 apply in person each time, with 1 printed photo. Don’t staple it to the form; the acceptance agent does that.
Sources: Passport photos - travel.state.gov , Secretary of State Marco Rubio at President Trump’s America.gov event (Sep 29, 2026) - state.gov , Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a reception for the Consular Affairs Patriot Passport launch (Jul 2, 2026) - state.gov , Renew your passport online - travel.state.gov , Uploading a digital photo for online renewal - travel.state.gov , Apply for a passport - travel.state.gov , Apply for a child’s passport under 16 - travel.state.gov . Checked Oct 16, 2026. How we keep rules accurate
