Australian passport photos are different to US passport photos and can be difficult to obtain in the United States.  Please review the photo requirements and camera operator guidelines, and discuss them with your photographer.  In particular, we suggest that you check your photographer:

  • can produce glossy prints that are printed at the highest resolution
  • has a dye sublimation printer (no inkjet prints accepted) 
  • has studio lighting so that there are no shadows behind your ears/head, and the lighting across your face is even. (Avoid highlighter cosmetics that cause shine on the face.)
  • does not remove the background or retouch the photo in any way. 

Examine your photos carefully 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 a digital copy of your photo, we recommend keeping a JPEG copy in case your photo has a printing imperfection, is smudged with ink, or is damaged during transit to our office, and requires reprinting.  

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 used by our clients 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 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 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. 

There are photographers familiar with Australian photos located near each of our Passport Offices.  Many clients find it convenient to get their photos on their way to the interview.  

For clients lodging the Application for an Australian Passport Overseas form (PC8), please follow these steps:

  • Obtain a passport photo from a local store and have your guarantor endorse the back of it. Any US-style photo will work for the guarantor endorsement. The photo does not have to meet the Australian standards.
  • On your way to your interview, obtain two additional photos from a photographer on our map. These two photos must meet the Australian standards and you should check them carefully.
  • Provide all three photos at your interview - the original photo signed by the guarantor, plus the two new photos you obtained on your way to the interview.

For clients lodging the one page Australian Passport Renewal Application form (PC7) no additional steps are necessary as no guarantor is required.