PassportOwl

Free passport photo checker

Already have a photo? Upload it and we check it against every official rule for your document, free: the size and head position, the background, the light, your expression and glasses. You see each result with its official source. You pay only if you want the finished file, and only once it passes.

Check my photo free Or take a new one with live coaching

No account · deleted after 72 hours · Accepted or your money back, for photo reasons.

What the checker looks at

  • Size and head position: for a US passport photo, 2 × 2 inches with the head 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of hair. We crop your photo to the official size first.
  • Background: plain white or off-white, with no shadows or objects
  • Light: even on your face, no bright spots or dark shadows
  • Expression: facing the camera, eyes open, mouth closed
  • Glasses and head coverings: no glasses; head coverings only for religious or medical reasons
  • Sharpness: in focus, not blurry or pixelated

Which photos you can check

How it works

  1. Choose your document

    Each document has its own size and rules, so pick the one you need first.

  2. Upload your photo

    JPG, PNG or HEIC. A photo that shows your head and shoulders, with some space around them, works best, because we crop it to the official size.

  3. See every result

    In seconds you see each rule, pass or fail, with a link to the official source. If something fails, you see why and what to fix.

  4. Fix it or download it

    Retake it free as often as you like. When it passes, download the finished photo and a 4×6 sheet to print for $11.99.

Free, private and never retouched

  • Checking is free and you don’t need an account
  • Your photo is deleted 72 hours after upload, never used to train AI and never sold
  • We never retouch your photo: we only crop it to the official size
  • An independent service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or any government agency

Tips before you upload

  • Upload the original digital photo. Photos of printed photos and scans are not accepted for online renewal.
  • Don’t edit it first: filters, beauty modes and background removal are not allowed. See can you edit a passport photo?
  • A passport photo must be taken in the last 6 months. The checker can’t tell when it was taken, so check that yourself.
  • No good photo yet? Take one at home: the owl coaches you live with your phone or webcam.
Ready to check it? No account · deleted after 72 hours · Accepted or your money back, for photo reasons.
Check my photo free

Questions

Is the passport photo checker really free?

Yes. Upload a photo and see the result for every rule for free. You pay only to download the finished photo ($11.99), and only once it passes.

Can I check a photo from CVS, Walgreens or a photo booth?

Yes, if you have the digital copy. Upload it and we check it against the same rules. Don’t scan or photograph the printed photo.

Does a pass mean my photo will be accepted?

We check your photo against the published official rules, but the government office makes the final decision. Accepted or your money back, for photo reasons. If it is rejected for a photo reason, we refund you in full and make you a new photo free.

Which files can I upload?

JPG, PNG or HEIC photos, from your phone or your computer.

What happens to my photo?

It is used only to check and crop your photo. We delete it 72 hours after upload, never use it to train AI and never sell it.