Get Your Passport Photos in Sumter, SC

Yes, you can take your own passport photo in Sumter as long as it meets all federal guidelines. You must use a plain white or off-white background, ensure proper lighting, and print it at exactly 2x2 inches. Selfies are not permitted, so you will need a friend or a tripod to capture the image.

The State Department requires your passport photo to be exactly 2x2 inches (51x51 mm) in size. The image must be printed in color on high-quality, uncreased photo paper with your head measuring between 1 and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. Digital images used for online renewals 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 in Sumter. 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 hair.

The basic sizing and background rules remain the same for babies and young children, but the State Department is slightly more lenient regarding their posture and expression. Infants can be photographed lying on a plain white blanket or sitting in a car seat draped with a white cloth. No other people, including parents holding the child, can be visible in the frame.

Yes, you must submit a new, updated photo every time you renew your U.S. passport. The State Department requires the image to be taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance. Using 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 from the time the State Department receives your application. If you pay the federal fee for expedited service, processing times are reduced to two to three weeks. South Carolina residents should also factor in mailing times to and from the passport processing centers.

The closest regional facility is the Charleston Passport Center, located about 95 miles away in North Charleston. This agency handles expedited processing for South Carolina residents facing life-or-death emergencies or urgent international travel within 14 days. You cannot walk in; you must call the National Passport Information Center to schedule an appointment.