Do Passport Photos Expire?
Yes — US passport photos expire 6 months after they are taken. If your photo is more than 6 months old at the time you submit your passport application, it will be rejected and you will need to take a new one. Most countries worldwide follow the same 6-month rule.
Source: U.S. Department of State · Last verified May 2026
Is Your Photo Still Valid? Common Scenarios
| Scenario | Status |
|---|---|
| Photo taken today, applying tomorrow | Valid |
| Photo taken 3 months ago, applying now | Valid |
| Photo taken 5 months ago, applying now | Valid (barely) |
| Photo taken 6 months and 1 day ago | Expired — retake |
| Photo from last passport renewal (5–10 yrs ago) | Expired — retake |
| Photo taken for a different application 7 months ago | Expired — retake |
Warning
Why Do Passport Photos Expire After 6 Months?
The 6-month rule exists because biometric facial recognition — used to verify identity at borders and during passport issuance — requires a photo that closely matches your current appearance. The State Department sets 6 months as the window within which most adults' appearance is consistent enough for reliable matching.
Biometric systems match your face to the passport photo at border crossings. A photo taken more than 6 months ago may not match closely enough.
Weight, hair, facial hair, age, and health all affect appearance. The 6-month window limits how much you can change between photo and application.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets global standards for machine-readable travel documents — the 6-month rule is part of this standard, adopted by most countries.
Requiring a recent photo makes it harder to submit someone else's photo or an outdated photo that no longer resembles you.
Other Reasons to Retake — Beyond Expiry
A photo within 6 months can still be rejected if your appearance has changed significantly.
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Passport Photo Expiry FAQ
Do passport photos expire?
Yes. US passport photos expire 6 months after the date they were taken. The US State Department requires that photos submitted with a passport application or renewal be taken within the 6 months preceding the application date. A photo taken on January 1 expires on July 1 — submitting it after that date will cause rejection.
How long is a passport photo good for?
A US passport photo is good for 6 months from the date it was taken. Most other countries follow the same rule — Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Schengen visa applications all require photos taken within 6 months. The UK has no fixed expiry date but requires the photo to be a current likeness.
What happens if I submit an expired passport photo?
Your application will be rejected or delayed. At a passport acceptance facility, the agent may catch it at submission and ask you to provide a new photo before accepting your application. If submitted by mail, the State Department will return your application with a request for a new photo — adding weeks or months to your processing time.
Can I use a passport photo from my last renewal?
Only if it was taken within the last 6 months. US passports are valid for 10 years (adults) or 5 years (minors), so a photo from a previous renewal is almost certainly expired. There is no exception to the 6-month rule for renewal applications — you need a current photo regardless of how similar you look.
Does the 6-month rule mean the photo must be submitted within 6 months?
Yes — the photo must be taken within the 6 months immediately before your application date. The clock runs from when the photo was taken, not from when you download or print it. If you plan to apply in March, take your photo no earlier than September of the previous year.
How does the passport office know when a photo was taken?
There is no technical timestamp embedded in the photo file that passport agencies read. The requirement is self-certified — you attest that the photo was taken within 6 months. However, if your photo looks clearly older than your supporting documents suggest, a reviewer may flag it. The risk of submitting an old photo is rejection and application delay.
Do passport photos expire for children faster?
Children's passports are valid for only 5 years (vs 10 for adults), but the 6-month photo rule is the same. In practice, children's appearances change much faster — a photo that is technically within 6 months may still be flagged if the child looks significantly different. Retake the photo close to the application date.
Can I use the same photo for my passport and a visa application?
Yes, if it meets both sets of requirements and is within 6 months of each application date. A single US passport photo (2×2 inch, white background) can be used for a US passport, US visa, green card application, Global Entry, and most USCIS forms — as long as it was taken within 6 months of each submission.
If I took a photo 5 months ago, can I use it?
Yes — as long as you submit your application within 1 month. If you took the photo 5 months ago and your application will be submitted within the next month, the photo is still within the 6-month window at the time of submission. But if your application might be delayed, retake the photo to avoid risk.