Get Your Passport Photos in Altoona, PA

Yes, you can take your own passport photo in Altoona as long as it meets all federal guidelines. You must use a plain white or off-white background, ensure proper lighting without shadows, and have someone else take the picture since selfies are not allowed.

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

No, the State Department strictly prohibits wearing glasses in your passport photo, even if you wear them daily in Altoona. 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 rules are the same for infants and children, but the State Department is slightly more lenient about their poses. For example, a baby's eyes do not need to be entirely open, and you can lay them on a plain white blanket to take the photo.

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

Routine passport processing currently takes about six to eight weeks from the time the State Department receives your application. Expedited processing is available for an additional government fee and typically reduces the wait time to two to three weeks.

The closest regional facility for urgent travel is the Washington Passport Agency, located about 165 miles south of Altoona in Washington, D.C. You can only visit this agency if you have a scheduled appointment for a life-or-death emergency or international travel within 14 days.