Get Your Passport Photos in Houma, Louisiana

Yes, you can take your own passport photo in Houma as long as it meets all federal guidelines. Services like Perfect Passport make this easy by verifying your smartphone photo against State Department rules. You cannot submit a standard selfie, so having another person take the picture or using a tripod is required.

Your printed passport photo must be exactly 2 by 2 inches in size. The image must be in color, printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper, and feature a plain white or off-white background. Your head must measure between 1 and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head.

No, the State Department strictly prohibits wearing eyeglasses in passport photos, even if you wear them daily. Hats and head coverings are also forbidden unless you submit a signed statement verifying they are worn daily for religious or medical reasons. In all cases, your full face must be visible without any shadows cast by a head covering.

The basic size and background requirements are the same, but the State Department is slightly more lenient with infant poses. A baby does not need to look directly at the camera, and you can lay them on a plain white sheet to take the photo. However, no other people, hands, or pacifiers can be visible in the final image.

Yes, you must submit a new, updated photo every time you apply for or renew a U.S. passport. The State Department requires your photo to have been taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance. Reusing an old photo from a previous passport will result in your application being delayed or rejected.

Routine passport processing currently takes about six to eight weeks, while expedited service takes two to three weeks for an additional federal fee. Mailing times to and from the passport processing centers can add a few extra weeks to the total turnaround. If you have urgent travel from Louisiana within 14 days, you may qualify for an in-person appointment at a regional agency.

The closest regional facility is the New Orleans Passport Center, located about 60 miles northeast of Houma. This agency handles urgent travel needs and requires proof of international travel within 14 days or a documented life-or-death emergency. You must call the National Passport Information Center to schedule an appointment before visiting.