Get Your Passport Photos in Fountain Valley, California

Yes, you can easily take your own passport photo from your home in Fountain Valley using a smartphone. Just ensure you have good lighting, a plain white background, and use a service to verify it meets all federal requirements. Selfies are strictly prohibited by the State Department, so have a friend or family member take the picture.

The U.S. State Department requires all passport photos to be exactly 2 by 2 inches in size. The image must be printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper and feature your head centered. Your head must measure between 1 and 1.375 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head.

No, the State Department strictly prohibits wearing eyeglasses in your passport photo, even if you wear them daily in Fountain Valley. Hats and head coverings are also forbidden unless you submit a signed statement verifying they are worn daily for religious or medical reasons.

The basic size and background requirements are the same for infants and toddlers, but the State Department is slightly more lenient about their posture and facial expressions. If you are photographing a baby at home in Fountain Valley, you can lay them on their back on a plain white sheet to ensure their head is supported. No other people or hands can be visible in the frame.

Yes, you must submit a new, updated photo every time you renew your U.S. passport. The State Department requires your passport photo to have been taken within the last six months to accurately reflect your current appearance.

Current State Department processing times are four to six weeks for routine service and two to three weeks for expedited service. These estimates do not include mailing times, which can add up to two weeks on each end of the process. If you have urgent travel plans, you should apply as early as possible.

The closest regional facility is the Los Angeles Passport Agency, located about 45 miles northwest of Fountain Valley in the West L.A. Federal Building. This agency does not accept walk-ins for routine processing and is strictly for travelers who have an appointment for urgent international travel within 14 days or a life-or-death emergency.