Passport Photo Requirements

passport photo requirements

Passport Photo Requirements (U.S.) — Size, Rules, and Common Rejection Mistakes

Getting passport photos rejected wastes time and delays your application. However, when you understand official U.S. passport photo requirements, you can get approved on the first try. Below, we break down passport photo rules, size standards, background requirements, and the most common rejection reasons — in plain language.

Official U.S. Passport Photo Requirements

The United States Department of State sets strict passport photo requirements. Therefore, your photo must match exact technical and visual standards. A compliant passport photo must be recent, clear, properly sized, and taken under controlled lighting conditions.

Most importantly, the photo must show your full face, neutral expression, and true appearance. Older photos or edited images often lead to rejection.

Passport Photo Size and Technical Specifications

Your passport photo must meet these exact measurements:

  • Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
  • Head size: 1–1⅜ inches from chin to top of head
  • Taken within the last 6 months
  • High resolution and sharp focus
  • Printed on matte or glossy photo paper
  • No filters or digital alterations

Additionally, the image must show natural skin tones and proper contrast.

Background, Lighting, and Expression Rules

Passport photo requirements also control how you appear in the image. For example:

  • Use a plain white or off-white background
  • Avoid shadows behind your head or on your face
  • Face the camera directly
  • Keep your head centered and straight
  • Maintain a neutral expression or slight natural smile
  • Keep both eyes open and clearly visible

Furthermore, uneven lighting or background texture often causes delays.

What Gets Passport Photos Rejected

Many passport photos fail for simple reasons. Fortunately, you can avoid these common mistakes:

  • Glasses showing glare or frames covering eyes
  • Shadows on face or background
  • Head too small or too large in frame
  • Smiling too broadly
  • Hair covering eyes or eyebrows
  • Low resolution or blur
  • Old photo that no longer matches appearance
  • Filters or retouching applied

Because of these issues, professional passport photo services usually have much higher acceptance rates.

Passport Photo Rules for Glasses, Hats, and Uniforms

In most cases, passport photo requirements prohibit accessories.

Glasses:
You cannot wear glasses unless you submit a signed medical note. Even then, glare must not appear.

Hats and head coverings:
You may wear them only for religious or medical reasons. However, you must submit a signed statement. Also, your full face must remain visible.

Uniforms:
Do not wear uniforms or clothing that resembles official attire. Instead, choose everyday clothing.

Passport Photos for Babies and Children

Children must follow passport photo requirements too. However, special positioning rules apply.

  • Only the child may appear in the photo
  • No hands or supports visible
  • Eyes open (infants may have partial eye opening)
  • No shadows on face
  • Use white sheet background if needed

For babies, parents often place the child on a white blanket and shoot from above.

Quick Passport Photo Checklist

Before submitting your application, verify:

✅ Correct 2×2 size
✅ White background
✅ Neutral expression
✅ No glasses
✅ No shadows
✅ Recent photo
✅ Proper head size
✅ No digital edits

This checklist alone prevents most passport photo rejections.

FAQ — Passport Photo Requirements

Yes. However, keep the smile natural and closed-mouth.

No. Only medical exceptions apply with documentation.

Yes — but it must meet all size, lighting, and background rules.

Yes. Photos must be taken within the last six months.

No. Only red-eye removal is permitted.

Get Passport Photos That Meet All Requirements — Downtown Los Angeles

If you want passport photos that meet all U.S. passport photo requirements, professional capture makes the process faster and safer. At MR Fingerprints in Downtown Los Angeles, we take application-ready passport photos with proper lighting, correct sizing, and compliance checks — so you can submit with confidence.

Walk in or book your appointment today.

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Request your own Criminal Background Checks

Criminal Background Checks

How to Request Criminal Background Checks in California

Criminal Background Checks

Criminal background checks allow individuals and agencies to review official criminal history records reported to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and, when applicable, the FBI. These checks help verify identity, confirm record accuracy, and support employment, licensing, immigration, and personal record review requests.

In California, most criminal background checks require Live Scan fingerprinting, which electronically submits fingerprints to the DOJ for processing. This method is faster, more accurate, and more secure than traditional ink fingerprint cards.

What Are Criminal Background Checks?

Criminal background checks are official record searches performed by the DOJ or FBI using fingerprint data. These checks match your fingerprints against state and federal databases to identify arrests, charges, and case outcomes tied to your identity.

Because fingerprint-based background checks rely on biometric matching, they produce more reliable results than name-based searches. As a result, most government agencies and licensing boards require fingerprint submission.

Who Can Request Their Own Criminal Background Check?

California residents have the right to request a copy of their own criminal history record for review. This process is often called a Record Review request.

People commonly request personal criminal background checks to:

  • Verify record accuracy
  • Correct incomplete or outdated entries
  • Prepare for licensing or certification
  • Review records before employment screening
  • Support immigration or legal filings

However, you must submit fingerprints first. The DOJ will not process personal record reviews without Live Scan fingerprint submission.

How to Request Your Own Criminal Background Check (Step-by-Step)

Follow these steps to request your criminal background check in California:

Step 1 — Complete the Record Review Application

Fill out the DOJ Record Review Live Scan form (BCIA 8016RR). Select “Record Review” as the type of application and reason.

Step 2 — Submit Live Scan Fingerprints

Next, visit an approved Live Scan fingerprinting provider. The technician will capture and transmit your fingerprints electronically to the DOJ.

Step 3 — Pay Required Fees

You must pay the DOJ processing fee plus the Live Scan rolling fee charged by the fingerprint provider.

Step 4 — DOJ Processing

After submission, the DOJ reviews and matches your fingerprints against criminal history databases.

Step 5 — Receive Results by Mail

Finally, the DOJ mails your criminal background check results directly to you. Processing typically takes several business days.

Are Criminal Background Checks Submitted to DOJ and FBI?

Yes. Most California criminal background checks are submitted directly to the California Department of Justice. Additionally, some requests also trigger an FBI background check when federal clearance is required.

Live Scan fingerprinting sends your prints electronically to the correct agencies. Therefore, no paper fingerprint cards are required in most cases. Electronic transmission reduces delays and minimizes rejection risk.

Where to Get Criminal Background Checks in Downtown Los Angeles

You can complete criminal background checks through any approved Live Scan fingerprint provider. Choosing an experienced provider helps prevent submission errors and rejected prints.

At MR Fingerprints in Downtown Los Angeles, technicians:

  • Capture DOJ-compliant Live Scan fingerprints
  • Submit prints electronically
  • Review forms for accuracy
  • Reduce rejection risk
  • Support Record Review requests
  • Provide fast, professional service

As a result, your background check request moves through the system smoothly and without avoidable delays.

What Happens If You Find Errors in Your Criminal Record?

If your DOJ criminal background check contains errors or missing information, you can file a formal correction challenge.

You must submit a Claim of Alleged Inaccuracy or Incompleteness form and include supporting documentation. Then the DOJ reviews your claim and updates records when appropriate.

Because record corrections require documentation, always keep copies of court orders and disposition records.

How Long Do Criminal Background Checks Take?

Processing times vary. However, most DOJ criminal background checks complete within 3–7 business days after fingerprint submission. FBI checks may take longer depending on request type and volume.

Electronic Live Scan submissions typically process faster than mailed ink fingerprint cards.

How Long Do Criminal Background Checks Take?

Yes. Most official criminal background checks require Live Scan fingerprinting for accurate identity matching.

Yes. California residents can submit a Record Review request through the DOJ using Live Scan fingerprints.

Not always. Employment checks may include additional databases, while DOJ checks focus on official criminal history records.

You can visit any DOJ-approved Live Scan fingerprint provider, including MR Fingerprints in Downtown Los Angeles.

Ready to Complete Your Criminal Background Check?

Get your Live Scan fingerprints submitted correctly the first time. Visit MR Fingerprints in Downtown Los Angeles for fast, accurate, DOJ-approved criminal background check fingerprinting and professional support from start to finish.

Book your appointment today and complete your criminal background check with confidence.

Book Your Appointment Today!

Are you studying abroad? Need to obtain your FBI clearance for your visa application?

Study Abroad

FBI Clearance for Visa Applications

Certain consulates require a criminal background check, police clearance, or even FBI clearance, as part of the visa application process. 

Many people refer to this as a FBI background check, and being done by the FBI makes it a national background check. The FBI refers to this document as an Identity History Summary Check. 

Common reasons that people request their FBI clearance include: Individuals typically make this request for personal review, to challenge the information on record, to satisfy a requirement for adopting a child in the United States or internationally, or to satisfy a requirement to live, work, or travel in a foreign country (i.e., police certificate, letter of good conduct, Identity History Summary check, etc.). 

The applicant has to make the request for themselves only, it is not permitted to obtain information about another person.

What do I need to do, to get my FBI Clearance?

Complete the Applicant Information Form (form I-783), provide a set of your fingerprints (Book your appointment) and mail to their address at Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Federal Bureau of Investigation
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my FBI clearance?

At this time anticipated processing time for an Identity History Summary (FBI clearance) is approximately 12 weeks. Allow additional time for mail delivery.

Can this process be expedited?

The CJIS Division does not expedite requests; however, in cases where the FBI Clearance processed through a Channeler is accepted, an FBI-approved Channeler may be able to expedite this process. In this case, contact the company directly for instructions to apply for FBI Clearance through a Channeler. 

MR Fingerprints is an FBI-approved Channeler who is able to obtain your FBI Clearance in minutes. There is no need to wait 12 weeks or get your finger smudged with ink. we use high-end technology to obtain your fingerprints onto our highly efficient FBI fingerprint machines and submit your prints electronically. Our process is simple and quick. You can call us at 213.761.5883 for more information.

 

 

Fingerprint security on your smartphone is vulnerable to a hack attack

fingerprint security

Smartphone Fingerprint Security

Smartphone fingerprint security is essential to keep your personal information safe. We rely on our smartphones every day. Storing your personal information and getting thru daily tasks with it. Most people use it for mostly social media and taking pictures. In the end our smartphone knows a lot about who we are. Safeguarding our private information should be a top priority.

fingerprint security hack

Especially for smartphones, biometric security using fingerprint scanning is considered close to foolproof as security systems go.

However, recent reports surfaced pointing to smartphone and data vulnerability brought on by fingerprint security.

   Fingerprint security hacked !

The Verge reports that with the help of a dental mold cast or play-dough fingerprint may be bypassed using faked prints.

Granted that the original print has to be available for cast-making for this fingerprint security bypass to work.

iphone fingerprint security

The fact, however, remains that smartphone biometric security at its current state can be fooled.

The tragedy is that the test conducted by The Verge reportedly used a simple smartphone biometric security hack method on iPhone 6 and Galaxy S6 Edge.

Use of 3D printing and similar technology on stored print images may increase accuracy rate for this biometric security hack.

The fact that most smartphone users have had their fingerprints stored at one point or another in their lives, so how much privacy can biometric security really offer?

Stolen prints are harder to manage concerning smartphone biometric security. Whereas passwords and PINs may be changed, fingerprints cannot.

Read More…

California to Reconsider Fingerprint Checks for Uber, Lyft Drivers

Uber Fingerprint Checks

California Considers Live Scan Fingerprinting for Ride-Service Drivers

Background on Fingerprint Checks for Ride Services

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is considering requiring ride-service drivers, including those for Uber and Lyft, to undergo Live Scan fingerprint background checks. This discussion comes as Uber faces increased scrutiny over its screening process.

Previous Decisions and New Proposals

In January, Commissioner Liane Randolph decided against recommending stricter screenings for ride-service drivers. However, in a new proposal for transportation network companies, she stated that the CPUC would issue a ruling to explore background checks and driver identity verification through fingerprinting.

Randolph did include fingerprint checks in revised rules for services like Shuddle, which transport unaccompanied minors. The CPUC is set to review these proposals on March 17 during the “Phase II” regulatory process for transportation network companies.

Uber Faces Renewed Criticism

Recently, Uber has faced increased scrutiny regarding its background check process. A mass shooting in Michigan, allegedly committed by an Uber driver, has intensified concerns. The driver, Jason Dalton, had no prior criminal record, which Uber claims would have made no difference in preventing the incident.

Uber currently uses Checkr to conduct background checks, reviewing a driver’s criminal history over the past seven years. However, many law enforcement and transportation officials argue that fingerprint checks are the “gold standard” for background screening.

Industry Opinions on Background Checks

Dave Sutton, a spokesman for Who’s Driving You, a public safety campaign, believes Uber’s background checks are inadequate for drivers in trusted positions.

“Not all background checks are the same,” Sutton explained. “Fingerprint-based background checks, conducted by the government, provide a higher level of security.”

Many major U.S. cities require fingerprint background checks for taxi drivers. Taxi services argue that ride-share drivers should be subject to the same regulations.

Legal Challenges and Lawsuits

Uber recently settled two lawsuits for $28 million over accusations of misrepresenting its background check process. Additionally, the district attorneys of San Francisco and Los Angeles have sued Uber for misleading statements about its screenings.

An updated complaint in August revealed that Uber’s background checks failed in 25 cases in Los Angeles. Among those allowed to drive were registered sex offenders, identity thieves, burglars, and even a convicted murderer.

Limitations of Private Background Checks

Unlike government-conducted fingerprint background checks, private background check companies used by Uber lack access to California’s Department of Justice and federal criminal databases. These companies rely on commercial databases, which do not use biometric identifiers, increasing the risk of errors.

Uber’s Stance on Fingerprint Checks

Uber argues that fingerprint background checks are not 100% accurate and may include individuals who were arrested but never convicted. Uber Senior Adviser David Plouffe stated, “Fingerprinting can be discriminatory, denying opportunities to individuals who were arrested but not convicted.”

Recently, Uber announced a policy change, allowing individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies—later reduced to misdemeanors under California’s Proposition 47—to drive for the company.

Resistance to Fingerprint Checks

Many Uber drivers work part-time, driving fewer than 10 hours per week. Sutton believes Uber resists fingerprint checks because many part-time drivers would not go through the additional screening process.

“The companies know that requiring fingerprinting would discourage part-time drivers from signing up,” Sutton said.

Regulatory Battles in California and Beyond

Current California regulations require ride services to conduct background checks covering the past seven years but do not mandate fingerprinting. Sutton believes Uber’s political influence has slowed stricter screening regulations.

In Austin, Texas, Uber and Lyft have threatened to leave after the city council voted to require fingerprint checks. The companies supported a successful campaign to put the issue to a public vote, while some council members faced recall efforts for backing stricter regulations.

In California, legislative efforts to require fingerprint checks have repeatedly failed. Assemblyman Jim Cooper has introduced a bill for stricter background checks but has not explicitly included fingerprinting, opting for discussions with ride-service companies first.

Public Demand May Drive Change

Sutton believes ride-service companies will only change their policies when enough customers demand stricter background checks.

“What’s happening now is similar to what happened in the taxi industry,” Sutton explained. “After enough incidents, people recognized the need for stricter regulations.”

Conclusion

As scrutiny over ride-service background checks increases, the debate over fingerprinting remains ongoing. While Uber and Lyft argue against stricter measures, regulators and safety advocates continue to push for enhanced security protocols to protect passengers.

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