How to Print Passport Photos

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When you apply for a passport, you have to include a 2x2 passport photo. If you have a high-quality printer, you can actually print your own passport photo at home! We'll walk you through the simple steps to print the perfect photo so you can start traveling.

How do you print passport photos at home?

  1. Insert glossy or matte paper into your home printer.
  2. Pull up the passport photo in a photo editing program.
  3. Format the picture so it's 2 in x 2 in (51 x 51 mm).
  4. Print out the photo in the program and check the print preview.
  5. Hit "Print" to complete the process.

Steps

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    Most passports and identity cards use a paper that's at least 200gsm. Plain paper and other non-photo papers will not be accepted. [1]
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    You can use the free Paint program in Windows or Preview in Macs to perform basic editing. [2]
    • You need the picture to be 2in x 2in (51 x 51mm). In Paint, you'll find "Page Setup" in the File tab. In Preview, you'll see the "Adjust Size" button in the Markup toolbar (make sure you enable "scale proportionally" before you change the size of your photo). [3]
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    You will need to click the File tab and select Print . [4]
    • A print preview should pop-up.
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    You'll need to make sure your printer is selected here as well as how many copies you want to print. [5]
    • If you print one copy and mess up, you can always print another copy. You must use a copy that is not damaged with holes, creases, or smudges. [6]
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    After you've approved the print preview and changed any selections necessary, you can print the photo.
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      Tips

      • You can also go to Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Staples, Target, UPS Store, or the Post Office to get your passport photo taken and printed. However, Walgreens and many other locations will not submit your passport application. [7]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
      2. ↑ https://researchguides.case.edu/editimage/passport
      3. ↑ https://www.uwrf.edu/CMSTraining/Documentation/ResizeImageInPaint.cfm
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/printing-and-print-preview-1c15515c-98b5-4421-baa9-68b7a870398a
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/printing-and-print-preview-1c15515c-98b5-4421-baa9-68b7a870398a
      6. ↑ https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
      7. ↑ https://photo.walgreens.com/store/passport-photos

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Add glossy or matte photo paper into your printer.
      2. Open the picture in a photo editor.
      3. Print the photo.
      4. Review the print preview.
      5. Click Print .

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 83,544 times.

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