Get Your Passport Photos in Paterson, New Jersey

Yes, you can take your own passport photo in Paterson as long as it meets all federal guidelines. You must use a clear, unedited color photo taken against a plain white or off-white background. Selfies are not permitted, so you will need a friend or a tripod to capture the image.

A U.S. passport photo must be exactly 2 by 2 inches in size. The image must be printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper, and your head must measure between 1 and 1.375 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head. Digital photos used for online renewal must be at least 600 by 600 pixels.

No, you cannot wear glasses in your U.S. passport photo, even if you wear them daily for vision correction. Hats and head coverings are also prohibited unless you submit a signed statement verifying they are worn daily for religious or medical reasons. If you wear a religious head covering, it must not obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face.

The basic requirements for babies and young children are the same, but the State Department is slightly more lenient regarding their posture and expression. Infants can be photographed lying on their backs on a plain white blanket or sitting in a car seat covered with a white cloth. No other people, hands, or pacifiers can be visible in the photo.

Yes, you must submit a new photo every time you apply for or renew a U.S. passport. The photo must have been taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance. Even if your appearance has not changed significantly, reusing an old photo will cause your application to be delayed or rejected.

Routine passport processing currently takes 4 to 6 weeks, while expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks. These timeframes begin the day the passport agency receives your application and do not include mailing times, which can add up to two weeks on each end. New Jersey residents traveling sooner than 14 days must secure an in-person appointment at a regional passport agency.

The closest regional facility to Paterson is the New York Passport Agency, located in Lower Manhattan. This agency handles expedited requests for residents of northern New Jersey and the New York metro area who have urgent international travel within 14 days. Appointments are strictly required and walk-ins are not accepted.