Here's a photo composition tool to help you. passport without charge if an acceptable photograph is presented within a year
The U.S. Department of State requires that passport photos meet specific criteria, including that the face is visible and unobstructed. in off-colored facial features (purple/yellow). For example, in the following photograph the
in overall size. For example, the following photograph is too small: (4) The facial image must be
You must provide one photo with your passport application. (Office of Origin: CA/PPT/S/A). photographers of the requirements. If you can't take off your glasses for medical reasons, you need a signed note from your doctor with your application. %PDF-1.7
Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face. IRL. When a new photograph is received, you must compare both photographs to
For many Muslim women who wear hijab, taking a passport photo can be a daunting experience. and. Make sure to follow these guidelines when taking your photo. (especially the nose) and elements on the periphery of the face (especially the
Offers may be subject to change without notice. Contact us today for more information or to take advantage of our 99.5% photo approval rate. identification document submitted is acceptable if it still is a good likeness
How they'll know that is anyone's guess, but it pays to play it safe. Already have a valid passport with a photo of you wearing glasses? of the infant. (2) The International Civil Aviation Organization
However, no uniforms, or clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage clothing is allowed. CA does not recommend the services of a specific
from the issuance date of the passport. While it is possible to take a passport photo at home or a local pharmacy, ensuring that the photo meets all of the guidelines can be challenging. off-white blanket behind the child. Head tilt is acceptable for infants; and. 2.2). Passports and Visas.com will help you with your passport needs It's easy, painless and fast. Avoid using a flash or harsh overhead lighting, as this can create shadows on your face; Wear clothing that contrasts with your hijab; The U.S. Department of State has specific requirements for passport photos, including the size of the photo, the quality of the image, and the position of your head and face. at passport agencies/centers
off-white, or light-colored background with no large, dark shadows,
NOTE: A limited-validity
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Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) will not write a letter stating that only
7. 5 passport cards. Reasonable
NOTE: For hand-carry
questionable cases. An example of a questionable case is one in which the
In 2016, the United States passport rules changed to say no glasses are allowed in passport photos, even if you aren't using a flash camera. a. (ICAO) has set international specifications for machine-readable passports,
forward: (6) The photograph must be free of material damage.
long as the image is sharp and clear. Images composed of grain-like particles
US Department of State Passport Photo Requirements, Washington DC Passport and Visa Expediting Services, Atlanta Passport and Visa Expediting Services. You also can't wear a hat or head covering in your photo. found this very useful in the wake of the 2005 South Asia Tsunami. (See 7
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acceptable. standards; and. staples and borderline requirements from the passport application. If the
There is more leniency for baby passport photos, according to the State Department. example, in the following photograph the facial image size is too small (also,
for photographs for use in U.S. passports: i.e., that they be a "good
first photograph is wearing eyeglasses. Religious head coverings are acceptable Another exception to this general passport rule is religious attire that covers the head. For example, the following photograph is too small: and neck (which may include
the unacceptable photograph from the passport application; (b) Attach
photographs that show faces completely or partially (only eye area visible) covered. However, 22
The photo also can't have holes, creases, or smudges. covering may be required in
photograph the applicant's hair obscures, The United States complies with
following photographs the applicants' heads are tilted and/or not facing
not meet all the requirements outlined in this appendix. However, such
photograph if the submitted photograph does not meet the requirements. Passport agencies/centers will send an appropriate
(4) You must enclose Information Notice (IN)-941-28 to
d. In an emergency, you may accept photographs that do
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and other hats or head covering that serve a different purpose); NOTE: If the applicant submits a
in public. A signed statement from the applicant regarding the
Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport, or ID. size will make identification of the bearer difficult in addition to possibly revealing
the applicant is wearing eyeglasses): (b) A larger facial image size may make it
impossible to crop the photograph to the correct size (45 mm. or form DS-5504
CFR 51.26 requires that the photograph be a good likeness of the applicant, and
Save those funny faces for selfies. paper. photographers near the passport agency/center or post to provide to applicants
be listed on form DS-11, form DS-82, and form DS-5504. As long as other requirements about clarity and angles are all met, you can provide a passport photo that includes your religious garments. Follow our tips and explanations below to make sure youre on the right track: It might be tempting to think about reusing a photo that you love in which youre wearing a baseball cap or a winter hat. for use during a crisis. The U.S. embassies in Bangkok and Colombo
Photos must be high resolution, not blurry, grainy, or pixelated. hb``f``e```*`@@,&]0q2bK|X2H{ from the batch to be re-scanned with the correct photographs. (If a photograph
when needed in urgent/emergency circumstances. Refer routine inquiries to the
questionable cases using IRL 677-33. f. Photographs should be printed on photo-quality
Passport photos are definitely a #nofilter zone. Avoid adding any extra time or expense by making sure you meet all U.S. passport photo requirements when you apply. 34 0 obj
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be worn in passport photographs. Copyright 1999-2023 Passports and Visas.com Allrights reserved. of contact lenses, including tinted and novelty contact lenses, that do not
plans where feasible to have equipment, camera, photograph paper, printer,
(1) Hats
may be re-sized in the TDIS image review module. For example, in the following
etc. Instantly edit a U.S. passport photo online! or completely
A hat, in particular. exceptions may be made for photographs: (b) Taken
Can my child have a dummy on their passport photo? identify the applicant at the time of the application (see 22 CFR 51.26).
Both of the applicants eyes must be visible
(3) A parents face cannot be in the photograph
application must be
Even with those signed statements, your full face has to be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face, according to the State Department. We accept cash, money order, or checks made out to the University of Minnesota Duluth. Can I take a passport photo with a niqab or burqa? xZon~`#pAEQ($$9,L1)&
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$. Overall, while you do not need a written statement to wear a hijab in a passport photo, it is crucial to follow the guidelines set by the U.S. Department of State to ensure your photo is acceptable. applications, the acceptance agent signs the back of the photograph. statement regarding the religious attire or medical necessity in any
photographs the images are over-and under-exposed (also, the individual in the
Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face. In your photo, you also must be facing the camera directly with your full face in view. Creases, holes, and smudges in the facial area are unacceptable: (a) Immaterial damage to the background, e.g., staple
(CT:CITZ-80; 08-26-2022)
Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. following photographs the applicants' heads are tilted and/or not facing
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Another exception to this general passport rule is religious attire that covers the head. (3) The
(2) The passport specialist must retain the IRL with
Your head must face the camera directly with full face in view. stream
example, in the following photograph the facial image size is too small, If
it is not unusual to find that you must accept photographs that do not meet all
You cannot submit a damaged photo with holes, creases, or smudges. photograph the image is grainy: e. The photograph should have a plain, white,
and supports for the shoulders, head, and neck may be visible in the
f. If a hearing device, wig, facial ornamentation
And if you wear a hat or head covering for medical reasons, you need to submit a signed doctor's statement "verifying the hat or head covering in your photo is used daily for medical purposes.". How to take a passport-size photo in a hijab at home. If you are uncomfortable removing a head covering for a passport photo, theres no reason to let this stop you travelling the world and enjoying a relaxing trip this summer. Are elderly people exempt from any passport picture rules? You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices. FAM 105.3). [:~tC['>]D01A)q must be no hair obscuring the eyes (ICAO 9303 section 3.9). For example, in the following
Just write on a piece of paper Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. customary practice, and/or requirement of continuous public. WebYou may wear a hat or head covering, but you must submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering is part of recognized, traditional religious distortion is when elements in the center of the face are exaggerated in size
first photograph is wearing eyeglasses, which is no longer
(2) Clear contact lenses are acceptable. Other types
Objections to Photograph Requirements. &2oES?_gsGtxQ<>D0ts
]%2?sh{\B6*;d,chss
lOe] Ad Choices, Tips and tricks from our travel experts along with the latest news from airlines, hotels, loyalty programs, and more, delivered to your inbox weekly. by a medical professional/health practitioner must be requested. Marks on the
The facial recognition technology used in conjunction with Australian passports makes border processing more e cient and reduces the potential for identity fraud. As of November 1, 2016, glasses are no longer allowed in passport photos, as they can often have a glare, regardless of whether or not the camera has a flash. eye(s) (ICAO 9303 section 3.9); (b) There must not be glare on eyeglasses that obscures
result of medical treatment. A medical statement signed by a medical
Passport photos must be in color and taken with a plain white or off-white background, according to the U.S. State Department. Yup got the passport without any problems.I sent the document with the passport application. Webbe just a piece of cloth and becomes one and the same with the Sikh's head. Web6. Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization. Be aware that
As a general rule, you can't wear eyeglasses, hats or head coverings of any sort in your passport photo. Free! or other head coverings are acceptable if they do not obscure any part of the
without a photograph (see IRL 1000-05 and IRL 1018-14). hats or other head coverings,
There are some exceptions: If you have to wear glasses for a medical condition, you'll need to submit a signed statement with your U.S. passport or U.S. visa application from a medical professional or health practitioner. a photograph with a covered face
endobj
Outside of. without a photograph (see IRL 1000-05 and IRL 1018-14). (But hey, at least you won't be kept "Waiting in Vain.") meet passport requirements. (c) Attach
eyes. A medical statement signed by a medical professional/health practitioner
Most people probably aren't going to rock a full Elmo getup in the photo booth and expect to get away with it for a passport photo, but there's a point to be made here: The U.S. Department of State requires that your passport photo be taken in clothes you "normally wear on a daily basis." In addition to a hard copy, youll receive a digital passport photo that you can use to complete your application online. (if the
Consequently, the passport application may be returned to adjudication to
attire does not appear in the identification submitted with the application. ); or. photograph the facial image size is too large: (c) In
2023 Cond Nast. specialists must suspend a form DS-11
Do not digitally change the photo. d. Computer-generated photographs are acceptable as
there is sufficient room to crop the photograph appropriately, the photograph
Neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes customary practice, and/or requirement of continuous public use
the form, (4) Passport
Wear clothing that's normally worn on a daily basis. h. The red-eye effect is not acceptable
does not meet this requirement; (2) An
Save the sultry or silly poses for Instagram. photographs must still be a clear and current representation of the
abrasions) are acceptable--there is no requirement that the medical condition
One of the questions that many travellers have each year is: can I wear a hat or head covering in my passport photo? statement also indicates that they are required. And even if you do go to a passport photo center, there are extra rules to be aware of to be sure your passport photo is accepted. eyeglasses that obscures the eye(s); and. may be re-sized in the TDIS image review module. For example, in the following
b. ears, if visible), are diminished in size or may not be clear or fully
practitioner may be requested in questionable cases. skullcaps, etc., are not acceptable if it: (3) Hats
The photos must show a full head without any head covering, unless it is worn for religious beliefs or medical reasons. wearing a uniform of one of the U.S. Uniformed Services (10
If you have a 4 0 obj
the Department has no objection, the U.S. Uniformed Services' regulations
and. NOTE: As tattoos and body
WebYou may only wear a head covering if you submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that is required to be worn in public or a signed doctor's statement verifying the of the hat or head
Objections to being photographed: An ICAO standard for
ensure that they both depict the same person, refer to the FPM as appropriate
clothing). covering, or the covering does not
x 35 mm. have been taken within the past six months. 99.5% of all our passport photos are approved on first submission. What constitutes a neutral expression on your digital passport photo for a passport renewal? photographs; (3) Passport
acceptable. For example, in the following photographs the applicants' head coverings
obscure the eye, i.e., that do not make the iris appear larger or smaller, are
specialists must suspend a form DS-82
Can you have bare shoulders on your passport photo. "you" unless otherwise specified, regarding specifications for
Consular Sections are advised to make contingency
squinting are not (ICAO 9303 3.9). You must determine whether the photographs submitted
g. Digital manipulation and/or retouching of the facial
Webo If you wear a hat or head covering for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor's statement verifying the hat or head covering in your photo is used daily for medical TDIS image review module. For
impression that certain photographers are preferred or certified in some way to
not lie flat on the head; and/or, (b) Mostly
(4) Passport
b. A State-by-state Guide on Absentee Voting in the U.S. Head coverings are not allowed in passport photos unless they are for religious or medical purposes. 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) Head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. including the placement and size of the passport photograph; (3) The ICAO standards and Department requirements are
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)^ U/Fdi Q#,/= sQU{4V54g-''5klH646L71vS According to the guidelines set by the U.S. Department of State, the full face must be visible and unobstructed in passport photos. religious nature, the
particularly a newborn's, are partially
However, you can wear jewelry and keep on your facial piercings as long as they do not hide your face. photograph has sufficient resolution, the photograph may be re-sized in the
the chin (not including facial hair). Photograph templates are available to
months (ICAO 9303 Section 3.9), be a good likeness of and satisfactorily
in the system may have a defect that is apparent when the passport is printed.
If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with your application. If the eyeglasses are accepted for medical reasons: (a) The frames of the eyeglasses must not cover the
Though smiling in photos is encouraged by practically every snap-happy grandma on earth, smiling in these photos is a bit of a blurred line. b. the hat or head covering is worn for medical reasons, including hair loss as a
WebRequirements. the file (see 8 FAM 705.1);
.T9lyE#m;G5}hr&K.'v,OeQV
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mo+KMYC%5NC9}V197Tp0RWj|$d.,U+*/BH|HY>. photo filter tools from social media websites and mobile applications (also
a clear, close-up of the head and neck (which may include
b. (e.g., a commercial airline pilot who will be traveling abroad in uniform); turbans, large
received
In this article, we will explore the guidelines for taking a passport photo with a headscarf and provide tips on ensuring your Islamic passport photo meets the necessary requirements. is switched on a form DS-11, passport specialists should also notify the
You don't have to go to a passport photo center and pay extra for official passport photos, but if you take them yourself, you need to be sure to follow these rules. applicant may have no objection to being photographed, but may request that
bows, turbans, large
Use a plain white or off-white background. of the passport to one year, using endorsement 46 (see 8 FAM 505.2); (2) Posts must limit the validity of the passport to 1 year,
By subscribing to our newsletter(s) you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. (i.e., facial piercing jewelry), or similar article does not obscure the face,
Division B of Public Law 109-13, HR1268, do not deal with U.S. passport photographs, the Department of State digitizes passport photographs, consistent with the REAL ID
fish-eye distortion: (a) The
specialists must suspend a form, received
FAM 1800 Consular Crisis Management). (see 8 FAM 105.2): (1) When the applicant submits an acceptable
ICAO specifications) for placement in the passport (see 8 FAM 702.1-4 regarding
public-facing e-mail address and public inquiries will not be replied to. For example, in the following
acceptable. Photographs without proper exposure may obscure unique facial
%PDF-1.6
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attached photograph to avoid accidentally switching photos: (1) Switched photographs sometimes occur when siblings
e. Because minors do not typically submit
Its important to remember that you are perfectly entitled to wear items on your head if it is required for medical purposes. DV Program: photo, help, form, Q&A, blog. If you are unsatisfied with the photo, you can retake it until you get one that meets the U.S. Department of State's requirements. Where do I get this signed statement saying head covering is a part of my religion for the photo? that every passport contain a full-face photograph to identify the bearer. The United States complies with
If you are uncomfortable removing passport using endorsement 46 should be issued when the medical circumstance
applicant does not return the IRL, attach the photograph to the file copy of
applicants image: (1) Passport agencies and centers must limit the validity
%%EOF
U.S. Travelers Will Soon Have to Pay to Enter the U.K. photograph the applicant's hair obscures the eyes: i. Headphones, Bluetooth, or other similar devices must not
photographs the images are over-and under-exposed (also, the individual in the
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the unacceptable photograph to the IRL returned by the applicant
If you dont have a color printer at home, use the printing services of the nearest Walgreens or CVS; it will cost you from $0.25 to $0.50. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/Annots[ 9 0 R 22 0 R] /MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>>
that the photograph was taken on the date the form DS-11 was executed or the date the form DS-82 or form DS-5504 was
applicant's natural skin tones are not accurately reproduced: b. Over-exposed or under-exposed photographs are not
U.S. Passport Photo Requirements What to Wear, Other Rules covering, scan and e-mail the passport application and statement to [email protected] for a determination. (This is not a
Headphones also aren't allowed, either, so press pause on that podcast. appear to be recognized as traditional religious attire (e.g., baseball caps
this standard. You may, at passport agencies/centers
But you must submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering in your photo is part of traditional religious attire worn continuously in public. acceptable): c. The lighting should be uniform with no reflections
So keep the Bluetooth earpieces and Airpods in your pocket, please. telephone directory or online directory listings of commercial photographers.
You must have a neutral facial exposure are particularly important for passport card photographs because the
without a photograph from an acceptance facility. The applicant must re-execute
(1) Photographs
passport photographs. It also provides policy regarding commercial
surgery and the eyeglasses are necessary to protect the applicants
Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. WebSigned statement for head covering. questionable cases, e.g., the applicant's submitted documentation (ID or
The US Department of State has specific requirements for passport photos, including that the face must be visible and unobstructed. Printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper. features and cause problems in printing, resulting in washed out images. For example, in the following
If you still have a photo with glasses on, that's fine, but when you renew, you'll have to be sure to take a glasses-free photo. apply at the same time. If it is obvious that the photographs for minor
Glare and shadows are unacceptable. Requirements. a. passport application to request that the applicant re-execute the passport
clothing) are not acceptable for regular passport books and
To assist commercial photographers concerning the acceptability of photographs,
a. Printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper. 8 FAM 402.1-2 Passport Photograph
Do not digitally change the photo. (1) You may receive requests to have passports issued with
Reasonable
face, hairline, or the composition of the photograph (the hat or head covering
NOTE: Even if cosmetic
Yes, it is possible to take a US passport photo while wearing a religious head covering, such as a hijab, as long as specific guidelines are followed. and open in the photograph (see the exception for infants in 8 FAM 402.1-1). If this is not
Since 1971,Travel + Leisureeditors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. valuable information on passport photographs: (a) Passport photographs (available on
With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey. No big cheesy grins, no silly faces, no pouts. You must examine photographs to make sure they meet
respectfully, but advise that it is not feasible to comply with the request;
(c) A photograph that appears acceptable and undamaged
the eye(s); (c) There must not be shadows or refraction from the
8 FAM 402.1-6 Religious
likeness" and "satisfactorily identify the applicant;". You will get two files from Visafoto: a digital photo for electronic applications and a template ready for printing. the application suspended for a new photograph: For example, in the
visible. For example, in the following photograph the facial image has