Passport photo rejected as blurry or pixelated? How to fix it

Passport photo rejected as blurry or pixelated: how to fix it

What the rules say

The State Department rejects photos that are blurry, grainy or pixelated, scanned photos and photocopies (travel.state.gov: Passport photos). GOV.UK asks for a clear photo in focus (GOV.UK: Rules for digital passport photos).

How to fix it

  1. Use the back camera in good daylight and hold the phone still, or lean it against something.
  2. Don't screenshot, scan or photograph a printed photo. Save the original file.

What Picproved checks

Picproved warns when the photo looks blurry or the face is too small to give enough pixels for the size. Your photo stays on your device.

Or make it at home. Picproved costs $7.99 (free while we launch) for one person's photo in every size you need, and it checks the size, background, head size and face rules before you save. The office still makes the final decision. Make your United States Passport (print or online renewal) photo

See it in the app

Questions

Why was my passport photo rejected for blur or low quality?
The State Department rejects photos that are blurry, grainy or pixelated, scanned photos and photocopies (travel.state.gov: Passport photos). GOV.UK asks for a clear photo in focus (GOV.UK: Rules for digital passport photos).
How do I fix a photo rejected for blur or low quality?
Use the back camera in good daylight and hold the phone still, or lean it against something. Don't screenshot, scan or photograph a printed photo. Save the original file.

Other reasons photos get rejected

Make the photo