How we check photos and keep the rules accurate
Every rule we check comes from an official government source, and each page shows the date we last verified it.
Where the rules come from
We read the rules on the official pages (the State Department for passports and visas, USCIS for immigration forms) and turn them into measurable checks: photo size, head height, eye line, background, file size and so on. Each document page links to its source.
| Document | Official source | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| US passport photo | Passport photos - travel.state.gov | Sep 30, 2026 |
| Online passport renewal photo | Uploading a digital photo - travel.state.gov | Sep 30, 2026 |
| US visa photo (DS-160) | Photo requirements - U.S. Visas | Sep 30, 2026 |
| DV lottery photo | DV-2026 instructions (PDF) | Sep 30, 2026 |
| Green card (USCIS) photo | USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 7 Part A Ch. 4 | Sep 30, 2026 |
How often we re-check
We re-read every source at least once a quarter, and straight away when an agency announces a change. When a rule changes, we update the check and the page together, and the "verified" date moves.
How the check works
The check is automated. While you take the photo, the owl watches distance, tilt, light and expression on your device. After you take it, our software finds your face, crops the photo to the official measurements and checks each rule. You see every result, with its source, before you pay. There is no human review, which is why the result takes seconds.
Where a rule needs judgement (for example even lighting), we set our thresholds stricter than the minimum. If we are not sure a photo passes, we ask you to retake it rather than sell you a doubtful one.
When we get it wrong
If a government office rejects your photo for a photo-compliance reason, you get a full refund and a new photo free (our guarantee). Every rejection report helps us tighten the checks.
Spotted a rule that changed? Tell us at support@passportowl.com.