Get Your Passport Photos in Columbia, Missouri

Yes, you can take your own passport photo in Columbia as long as it meets all federal requirements. You must use a plain white or off-white background and ensure there are no shadows on your face. Services like Perfect Passport make it easy to verify your photo meets these strict guidelines from the comfort of your home.

A U.S. passport photo must be exactly 2 by 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size. The image must be printed on high-quality, glossy or matte photo paper and clearly show your full face centered in the frame. The head must measure between 1 and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.

No, you cannot wear glasses in your U.S. passport photo, even if you wear them daily in Columbia. Hats and head coverings are also prohibited unless you submit a signed statement verifying they are worn daily for religious or medical reasons. Your full face must be visible without any shadows cast by clothing or accessories.

The basic requirements for babies and young children are the same, but the State Department is slightly more lenient regarding their posture and expression. No other people can be in the photo, so parents in Columbia often lay infants on a plain white blanket to take the picture. The child's eyes should be open, though this is not strictly enforced for newborns.

Yes, you must submit a new photo when renewing your passport, even if your appearance hasn't changed significantly. The State Department requires all passport photos to be taken within the last six months to reflect your current look. Using an older photo will result in your application being delayed or 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 additional weeks to the total turnaround time, so Columbia residents should plan accordingly.

Currently, the closest fully operational regional passport agencies are over 300 miles away in Chicago and Arkansas, though a new facility is being developed in Kansas City. These agencies are strictly for urgent international travel within 14 days or life-or-death emergencies and require an appointment. For routine services, you can simply use a local acceptance facility like the Columbia post office.