Get Your Passport Photos in Burlington, Vermont

Yes, you can take your own passport photo in Burlington using a smartphone or digital camera. The State Department allows you to take your own picture as long as it meets all federal guidelines, such as having a plain white background and proper lighting. Services like Perfect Passport can help ensure your homemade photo is fully compliant before you print or submit it.

Whether you print it at a Burlington pharmacy or order it online, a U.S. passport photo must be exactly 2 by 2 inches in size. The image must be printed on high-quality photo 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 submitted online must be at least 600 by 600 pixels and in JPEG format.

No, the State Department strictly prohibits wearing eyeglasses in your U.S. passport photo, even if you wear them daily in Burlington. Hats and head coverings are also forbidden unless you have a signed statement verifying they are worn daily for religious purposes or a doctor's note for medical reasons. In all cases, your full face must be visible without any shadows.

The basic federal requirements are the same, but the State Department is slightly more lenient with infants and toddlers. For example, a newborn photographed in Burlington does not need to be looking directly at the camera, and their eyes can be closed. However, no other people, hands, or props can be visible in the frame, so laying the baby on a plain white sheet is recommended.

Yes, you must submit a new, updated photo whenever you renew your passport, whether you mail it from Burlington or apply online. The State Department requires your passport photo to be taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance. Using an old photo will result in your renewal application being delayed or rejected.

Routine passport processing currently takes about six to eight weeks, while expedited service takes two to three weeks. These federal processing times do not include the time it takes for your application to travel by mail from Vermont to a passport center. If you are applying at a local Burlington acceptance facility, apply well in advance of your planned trip.

The closest regional facility is the Vermont Passport Agency, located just north of Burlington in St. Albans. This agency is strictly for travelers who have urgent international travel within 14 days or a life-or-death emergency. You cannot walk in for routine service; you must call the national scheduling center to secure an appointment.