Australian passport photos are different from US passport photos. Please review the photo requirements and view the "How to get a good passport photo" video and discuss them with your photographer.  

Please check your photographer:

  • can produce glossy prints that are printed at the highest resolution
  • has a dye sublimation printer (we can't accept inkjet prints)
  • has studio lighting so that there are no shadows behind you, and there is even lighting across your face (Avoid using highlighter cosmetics that can cause shine on your face.)
  • does not remove the background
  • does not retouch the photo. 

Examine your photos to make sure they meet all requirements.  We recommend you check them under a strong magnifying glass to make sure there are no marks, dots, ink spots, scratches, or printing stripes/pixels. 

If your photographer can provide one, we recommend you keep a digital JPEG copy of your photo in case a reprint is required due to a printing imperfection, smudged ink, or damage during transit to our office.

We do NOT accept photos taken at Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid, Staples, FedEx, UPS, post offices or AAA as their lighting and print quality does not meet our requirements.

The map below shows photographers previously used by our clients and with good results. We do not endorse any photographer or guarantee their work. We recommend you contact photographers to confirm their prices, address and opening hours.

You should check the photos yourself to make sure they meet our requirements.  Do not assume photos are acceptable simply because they came from a location listed below. 

 

If you are a photographer who would like to be listed on the map above, please see our information about providing photo samples for our consideration.

You can have someone take a picture of you at home on your smartphone or high quality digital camera.  The online service below will size and print the image, then mail the photos to you anywhere in the United States: 

District Camera

Upload your photo to the website and follow the instructions.

Tips for taking your photo at home
  • You must have someone else take the picture of you - no selfies allowed.
  • Use a smartphone with a good camera (or a high-quality digital camera).
  • Make sure the person holds the phone horizontally (like a tv screen).
  • Make sure you are at least 1.5 metres away from the camera.  It is normal that the raw image will show a lot of your upper body and background.   
  • Make sure the background behind you is plain and a light colour.  Check there's no texture on the wall behind you.  If you have a sheet behind you, check there are no creases or wrinkles.
  • You may need to experiment with lighting and position.  Find a place where there are no shadows behind you or over your face.  Alternatively, you may want to take your photo outside.
  • Do NOT use any filters or software to retouch the photo or remove the background.
  • Do NOT use portrait mode.
  • Check the photos you receive from the online service to make sure they have not been altered.  Make sure the background has not been retouched or edited, particularly around the edges of your hair. 

Photographers familiar with Australian photo standards are located near our Passport Offices and many clients get their photos on their way to their interview.  

Clients who need a guarantor to endorse the back of one photo must be able to submit two photos that meet Australian photo standards. However, if you don't live near a photographer on our map and you can't easily obtain an Australian standard photo for your guarantor to endorse, you can:

  1. have your guarantor endorse the back of any standard US passport photo obtained from a local store, AND
  2. Obtain two additional Australian standard photos from a photographer on our map on your way to your interview, AND
  3. Bring all three photos to your interview

Clients lodging the one-page Australian Passport Renewal Application form (PC7) do not need a guarantor.