AI Photo Editor for US Passport Photos
Fix rejected passport photos instantly. No $25 retake at CVS.
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"State Department rejected my Walgreens photo three times - shadow on face. Fixed it in EditThisPic in literally 20 seconds. Saved me another $25 and two trips back to the store." @WalgreensNeverAgain
Built for US Passport Applicants
US passport photos have strict requirements: exactly 2x2 inches, pure white background, no shadows on face, no glasses, specific head size. One tiny mistake means rejection and starting over. EditThisPic fixes the most common rejection reasons - wrong background color, face shadows, glasses - in seconds. Get it right the first time.
Tools for US Passport Photos
Change Background to White
Most common fix - State Department requires pure white, not cream or gray
Remove Shadow
Second most common rejection - face shadows not allowed
Remove Glasses
Glasses not allowed unless medical necessity with doctor's note
Fix Color
Correct yellow indoor lighting that makes white backgrounds look cream
Step-by-Step Guide
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Take or upload your photo
Take a photo against any light-colored wall, or upload an existing photo. Face the camera directly, neutral expression (you can smile slightly with mouth closed), shoulders visible. Don't worry about the background color yet - we'll fix it. Remove glasses unless medically necessary.
White background change: 20-25 seconds. Shadow removal: 25-30 seconds. Multiple fixes: may need 2 attempts.Photos taken outdoors in even shade have the best lighting - no harsh shadows to remove later. -
Describe what needs fixing
Type your fix: 'change background to pure white for US passport requirements' or 'remove shadow from left side of face for passport photo.' Be specific about what's wrong. Combine fixes: 'change background to pure white and remove all face shadows for passport photo.'
Include 'for passport photo' or 'for US passport requirements' in your prompt - it helps the AI understand the strict standards needed. -
Verify State Department requirements
Check: background is pure white (not cream or gray), no shadows on face or background, head centered and level, 50-69% of frame is head from bottom of chin to top of head, neutral expression, both eyes open and visible, no glasses (unless medical), recent photo (taken within 6 months).
Zoom in to check edges - even slight background shadows can cause rejection. -
Print at correct size and submit
Download your fixed photo. Print at exactly 2x2 inches on photo paper. Most drugstores (CVS, Walgreens) can print from your phone for $0.30-0.50. Or use an online service like Nations Photo Lab. Include with your passport application form DS-11 (first passport) or DS-82 (renewal).
Order 4 prints - passport application needs 2, and you'll want backups in case one gets damaged.
Copy-Paste Prompts for Passport Photos
change background to pure white for US passport photo requirements, remove any shadows on background
State Department requires PURE white, not off-white, cream, or light gray. This prompt emphasizes both.
remove all shadows from face and neck for passport photo, keep natural skin tones and features
Shadows from uneven lighting are the #2 rejection reason. This removes them while preserving natural appearance.
change background to pure white and remove all shadows from face for US passport requirements
Combine both common fixes in one prompt to save time
remove glasses for passport photo, keep eyes natural and open, maintain natural eye color
Glasses are only allowed with a signed doctor's statement. Easier to remove them digitally.
Show 4 more prompts
correct the yellow indoor lighting to neutral, change background to pure white, remove face shadows
Indoor photos often have color casts that make white backgrounds look cream. This fixes all three issues.
remove the shadow on the wall behind my head, make entire background uniformly pure white
Wall shadows are a subtle but common rejection reason. State Department wants completely uniform white.
straighten and center my head in the frame, ensure background is pure white
Head must be centered and level. This fixes crooked photos from DIY attempts.
remove red-eye effect from flash, keep natural eye color, change background to pure white for passport
Flash photos often cause red-eye. Fix it before submission to avoid rejection.
| Edit Type | Prompt | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrong background color | change background to pure white for US passport |
20s | Try This → |
| Face shadow | remove all shadows from face for passport photo |
25s | Try This → |
| Wearing glasses | remove glasses, keep eyes natural |
30s | Try This → |
| Yellow lighting | correct yellow lighting, pure white background |
25s | Try This → |
Real Examples
Beige wall to passport white
Took photo at home against beige wall. State Department requires pure white, not cream or tan. One prompt fixed it.
Removed face shadow from DIY photo
DIY photo at home had window light creating shadow on left side of face. State Department rejects any face shadows. Fixed in 25 seconds.
remove all shadows from face and neck for passport photo, keep natural skin tones
CVS photo with yellow lighting fixed
Paid $25 at CVS but their indoor lighting made the white background look cream-colored. State Department rejected it. Fixed the color cast and got pure white background.
correct the yellow indoor lighting to neutral, make background pure white for passport requirements
Glasses removed for compliance
Only photo available had prescription glasses. State Department doesn't allow glasses unless you have a medical necessity letter. Removed them digitally.
remove glasses for passport photo, keep eyes natural and open with natural eye color
When Things Go Wrong
Background is white but not PURE white
Why: The AI corrected the background but there's still a slight color cast (cream, gray) that the State Department will reject.
Use 'pure white' or '#FFFFFF' in your prompt to emphasize you need absolute white, not off-white.
Face looks washed out after shadow removal
Why: Aggressive shadow removal can flatten natural face contours and make skin look unnatural.
remove shadows from face but maintain natural skin tones and subtle facial contours, don't over-brighten
Add 'keep natural skin tones' to preserve realistic appearance while removing obvious shadows.
Eyes look unnatural after glasses removal
Why: The AI had to reconstruct the eye area that was behind the lenses.
remove glasses and ensure eyes look natural, open, with correct eye color and natural highlights
Specify 'natural eye color' and 'keep eyes looking realistic' to guide the reconstruction.
Background has visible seams or edges
Why: The AI didn't perfectly blend the new white background with your hair or shoulders.
Tap markers on the seam areas, then: blend edges seamlessly with pure white background, smooth transition at hair and shoulders
Hair edges are tricky. If you see halos, use markers to show exactly where edges need refinement.
Background shadow still visible behind head
Why: Subtle wall shadows can persist if not explicitly called out.
remove the shadow on the wall behind my head completely, make entire background uniformly pure white with no variations
Use 'uniformly pure white' to emphasize no light/dark variations anywhere in the background.
State Department will still reject this
Why: There are requirements beyond background and shadows: head size (50-69% of frame), neutral expression, both eyes open, photo taken within 6 months, no head coverings (except religious).
EditThisPic fixes technical issues (background, shadows, glasses) but can't fix head size, expression, or age of photo. Those require retaking.
Check all requirements at travel.state.gov/passports before submitting. AI can't fix everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to mark the background before describing what I want changed?
No! Just describe what you need: 'change background to pure white for US passport requirements' or 'remove shadow from face.' The AI understands what 'background' and 'shadow' mean without marking. Only use markers if you need to refine edges after the first attempt.
What are the official US passport photo requirements?
Size: 2x2 inches (51x51mm). Background: Pure white or off-white. Head size: 50-69% of frame (1-1.375 inches from bottom of chin to top of head). Expression: Neutral or natural smile, both eyes open. Taken: Within last 6 months. Not allowed: Glasses (unless medical necessity with signed doctor note), head coverings (except religious), uniforms, headphones, wireless devices. Face must be directly facing camera with no shadows on face or background.
Will the State Department accept a photo edited with AI?
Yes, as long as the final photo meets all official requirements. The State Department cares about technical compliance (white background, no shadows, correct size, recent, shows your current appearance), not how you achieved it. EditThisPic fixes technical rejections like wrong background color or shadows - these are allowed corrections. Don't alter your actual appearance (face shape, features, etc.).
Why do CVS and Walgreens passport photos still get rejected?
Drugstore passport photo services often have inconsistent lighting (creates face shadows), slightly off-white backgrounds (cream or gray instead of pure white), or poor color correction from fluorescent lights. They charge $15-25 but rejection rate is high. Many people use EditThisPic to fix drugstore photos that were rejected rather than paying for another attempt.
Can I print this at home or do I need a photo shop?
You can print at home if you have photo-quality printer and proper photo paper (matte finish recommended). Ensure exact 2x2 inch sizing. Most people find it easier to upload the edited photo to CVS, Walgreens, or Costco photo printing ($0.30-0.50 per print) or use online services like Nations Photo Lab that specialize in passport photos. Order at least 4 prints - you need 2 for the application and want backups.
How recent does my passport photo need to be?
Photos must be taken within 6 months of your application date and show your current appearance. EditThisPic can't make an old photo 'new' - if your appearance has significantly changed (haircut, facial hair, weight, aging), you need to retake the photo. But if you took a photo last week and it just has the wrong background or shadows, that's perfect for fixing.
What if I'm applying for a child's passport?
Same requirements apply but infants and young children are allowed to not look directly at camera or have completely neutral expression. Babies can have mouth open. Background must still be pure white and no shadows. For babies lying down: place on white sheet and photograph from above. Use EditThisPic to ensure the background is pure white and remove any fabric shadows or wrinkles.
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Fix My Passport Photo