Get Your Passport Photos in Madison, Mississippi

Yes, you can take your own passport photo in Madison as long as it meets all federal guidelines. Services like Perfect Passport make this easy by analyzing your smartphone photo to ensure it passes State Department checks. Just make sure you have good lighting and a plain white background.

A U.S. 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 your head must measure between 1 and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head. Digital photos must be at least 600 by 600 pixels.

No, you cannot wear glasses in your U.S. passport photo unless you have a signed doctor's note for a medical condition. Hats and head coverings are also prohibited unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons, and they must not cast shadows on your face. Your full face must be clearly visible.

The basic photo requirements are the same, but the State Department is slightly more lenient with infants' expressions and head positions. No other people can be in the photo, so parents often lay babies on a plain white sheet to take the picture. Make sure the child's eyes are open, though sleeping infants are sometimes accepted.

Yes, you must submit a new photo when renewing your U.S. passport. The State Department requires your passport photo to be taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance. Even if your look hasn't changed much, an older photo will cause your renewal application to be rejected.

Routine passport processing currently takes about 6 to 8 weeks from the time the application is received. If you pay for expedited service, the processing time is reduced to 2 to 3 weeks. Mailing times can add several weeks to the total turnaround, so Madison residents should apply well before their trip.

The closest regional facility for urgent travel is the New Orleans Passport Center, located about 200 miles south of Madison. This agency only accepts walk-ins by appointment for life-or-death emergencies or international travel within 14 days. For routine processing, you can use a local acceptance facility like a post office in Mississippi.