What to Wear for a Passport Photo: Dress Code Rules for 2026

Wondering what to wear for a passport photo? The US State Department has specific clothing rules — and wearing the wrong thing will get your photo rejected. No refund, no workaround. You retake it.

The good news: the rules are simple. Here’s everything you need to know about what to wear (and what to avoid) so your photo gets accepted the first time.

Official Clothing Rules for US Passport Photos

The State Department only bans three categories of clothing outright:

1. Uniforms and uniform-like clothing. Military, law enforcement, airline crew, scout uniforms — anything that looks official. If it has epaulets, badges, or insignia, take it off.
2. Camouflage. Any camo pattern, regardless of color or context. This includes fashion camo.
3. Head coverings. Hats, caps, beanies, headbands — all off. (Religious and medical exceptions exist; see below.)

Beyond these three, there are a few additional restrictions:

• No headphones or wireless earbuds. Remove AirPods, over-ear headphones, and Bluetooth devices.
• No face coverings. No medical masks, bandanas, or anything that obscures your face.

That’s the official list. Everything else is technically allowed — but “allowed” and “looks good” are two different things.

What to Wear for a Passport Photo: Best Colors

Your passport photo is taken against a plain white background. That one fact should drive your clothing choice.

Dark, solid colors create the best contrast against white and photograph cleanly. Stick to:

• Navy blue — universally flattering, sharp contrast
• Charcoal or dark gray — subtle, professional
• Dark green — stands out without being loud
• Burgundy or maroon — warm tones that complement most skin tones
• Black — safe and clean, though it can wash out very dark skin tones

The key word is solid. Busy patterns, logos, and graphic tees can distract or create visual noise in a small 2×2 inch photo.

Colors and Fabrics to Avoid

Some clothing choices are technically legal but practically bad:

Avoid	Why
White or cream tops	Blend into the white background — your neckline disappears
Light pastels	Can wash out under flash lighting
Neon or bright fluorescent	Reflects color onto your face and chin
Busy patterns or stripes	Create visual noise in a small photo
Shiny or metallic fabrics	Cause glare and hot spots under studio lighting

The biggest mistake people make? Wearing a white shirt. It merges with the background, and suddenly it looks like a floating head. Don’t do it.

Best Necklines for Passport Photos

Passport photos are cropped tight — from the top of your head to just below your shoulders. That means your neckline matters more than you think.

Best choices:

• Crew neck — clean, simple, always works
• Collared shirt or blouse — looks polished, frames your face
• V-neck — fine, adds a bit of shape
• Mock or turtleneck — great in winter, photographs well

Avoid:

• Strapless or thin spaghetti straps — can disappear in the crop, making you look bare
• Very wide or off-shoulder necklines — same issue; shoulders may not show in the frame
• Deep plunging necklines — technically allowed, but you’re looking at this photo for 10 years

A simple rule: if the top of your shirt won’t be visible in a head-and-shoulders crop, pick something else.

Accessories: What’s Allowed and What’s Not

Here’s where people overthink it. The rules are straightforward:

✅ Allowed:

• Jewelry — necklaces, earrings, rings, all fine
• Facial piercings — nose rings, lip rings, eyebrow piercings (as long as they don’t obscure your face)
• Religious jewelry — crosses, Stars of David, etc.
• Glasses — allowed as of current 2026 rules, but remove them if they cause glare

❌ Not allowed:

• Hats, caps, or beanies
• Headphones or wireless earbuds
• Sunglasses or tinted lenses
• Face masks or coverings of any kind

Keep accessories minimal and tasteful. Anything that catches light aggressively — like large reflective earrings — can create distracting glare.

Head Covering Exceptions: Religious and Medical

If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons, you can keep it on. But there are rules:

1. Submit a signed statement explaining that the head covering is worn daily for religious or medical purposes.
2. The covering must be one solid color — no patterns, no mesh, no small holes.
3. Your full face must be visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead. No shadows on the face.
4. The covering cannot cast shadows on your face.

This applies to hijabs, turbans, yarmulkes, head wraps, and similar coverings. The signed statement doesn’t need to be notarized — just a written explanation with your signature.

Tips for Looking Your Best

Your passport photo lasts 10 years. These small things make a difference:

• Iron or steam your clothes. Wrinkles show up clearly in photos, especially on solid fabrics.
• Choose colors that complement your skin tone. Navy and burgundy work well on most people. If you have a warm skin tone, lean toward burgundy or dark green. Cool skin tones look sharp in navy or charcoal.
• Keep it simple. The photo is 2×2 inches. Fine details like subtle patterns or delicate jewelry won’t read — they’ll just look messy.
• Sit up straight. Not a clothing tip, but posture affects how your clothes fall and how your neckline frames your face.
• Do a test shot. Take a selfie against a white wall in your outfit before committing. Check for color blending, wrinkles, and weird shadows.

Quick Reference Checklist

Use this before you take your photo:

✅ Do	❌ Don’t
Wear dark, solid colors	Wear white or cream tops
Choose a crew neck or collared shirt	Wear strapless or off-shoulder
Iron your clothes	Wear wrinkled or rumpled clothing
Keep jewelry simple	Wear headphones or earbuds
Remove hats and sunglasses	Wear camo or uniform-like clothing
Check your neckline in a test crop	Wear neon or reflective fabrics

Take Your Photo in the Right Outfit

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FAQ

Can I wear a t-shirt for my passport photo?

Yes. T-shirts are allowed. Just avoid white ones (they blend into the background) and anything with large logos or offensive graphics. A solid dark-colored t-shirt is perfectly fine.

Can I wear a hoodie?

Technically yes, as long as the hood is down and it doesn’t look like a uniform. But hoodies can look bulky and create odd shadows around the neck. A cleaner top photographs better for a 10-year document.

What if I wear a white top?

Your photo won’t be automatically rejected, but your clothing will blend into the white background. The result looks awkward — like your head is floating. Swap it for literally any dark solid color.

Is religious jewelry allowed?

Yes. All jewelry is allowed in US passport photos, religious or otherwise. Crosses, Stars of David, hijab pins, and similar items are fine as long as they don’t cover your face.

Are the dress code rules the same for visa photos?

Mostly. US visa photos follow the same State Department guidelines as passport photos — same background, same clothing rules. Some countries have stricter requirements for their own visas (e.g., some require specific background colors), so always check the destination country’s rules if applying for a foreign visa.

Can I wear my work uniform?

No. The State Department explicitly prohibits uniforms and uniform-like clothing. This includes military, law enforcement, airline, medical scrubs, and any other occupational uniforms. Change into civilian clothes before taking your photo.