What to Wear for a Passport Photo
Wear everyday clothes in a solid mid-tone color and avoid white, uniforms and hats. See what to wear for a US passport photo and what gets rejected.
For a US passport photo, wear the everyday clothing you would normally wear, in a solid color that stands apart from the plain white or off-white background. The US Department of State does not ask for formal dress. It only rules out a few specific things: uniforms, camouflage, hats and head coverings that hide the face.
The most common clothing mistake is a white or very light top. Against a white background the shoulders disappear, and the crop can look like a floating head.
What to wear
- Everyday clothes. There is no dress code.
- A solid, mid-tone color. Navy, grey, burgundy, forest green or medium blue all separate from a white background.
- A normal neckline. A crew neck or collar keeps the shoulders visible in a 2 × 2 inch crop.
- Your usual look. The photo has to match you at the border, so skip a one-off costume.
Glasses are a separate rule, not a clothing rule. For a US photo, remove them unless you have the limited medical exception; see glasses in a passport photo.
What to avoid
- White or very light tops. They merge with the required US background.
- Uniforms. Military, work or security uniforms are not allowed. Ordinary clothes that happen to look smart are fine.
- Camouflage. This is called out in the official US guidance.
- Hats and head coverings. Remove them unless you wear one every day for religious reasons.
- Headphones, earbuds and wireless devices. Take them out before the first frame.
- Busy patterns and large logos. They pull attention off the face at passport size.
Do jewelry and makeup matter?
Everyday jewelry and makeup are allowed. Keep both close to how you normally look. Avoid anything that reflects a lamp into the camera or covers part of the face, such as large hoops at the jaw or a heavy fringe over the eyes.
A natural expression still matters more than makeup. For US versus UK mouth rules, see can you smile in a passport photo.
Religious and medical head coverings
If you wear a head covering every day for religious purposes, you may keep it on, but the full face must stay visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead. Some applications ask for a signed statement. The same visibility rule applies to medical head coverings. Check the current official instructions for extra documents.
Does this apply to every country?
Clothing rules are similar, but contrast and uniform rules are not identical. UK photos use a light grey or cream background, so a very pale grey top can still disappear. Indian printed photos often expect a white background and darker clothes. Use the country page rather than guessing: United States, United Kingdom, India.
Quick checklist
- Everyday clothes in a solid, mid-tone color.
- Skip white and very light tops so the shoulders stay visible.
- No uniforms, camouflage, hats, headphones or heavy patterns.
- Keep jewelry and makeup close to your normal look.
- Keep the full face visible if you wear a religious head covering.
Once the outfit works, check size and background in the passport photo requirements guide, or prepare a crop with the passport photo maker. Fogkits replaces the background and crops to the preset; it does not guarantee acceptance.
Official sources
Last checked 10 September 2026.