Lighting should be even in order to prevent shadows from appearing. This includes shadows on the face, in the background, or anywhere else in the photo (except for the ears). Visible shadows are not permitted in US passport photos. As such, facial piercings, earrings, and necklaces can be present in passport photos-the same goes for permanent tattoos on the face, neck, chest, or shoulders.
No passport photo requirement exists that mandates placing one’s hair behind one’s ears however, hair should be neatly organized (e.g., in a ponytail), and no part of the head or hair can be cut off in the passport picture.Īccording to the Department of State, earrings and jewelry are acceptable if they don’t hide the face.
Thus, beards (of all shapes and sizes) are fine, and bangs are also permitted if they don’t cover the eyes or eyebrows. For example, is a Santa-style beard permitted? What about bangs? Can a toupee be worn in your snap? All of these questions can be answered in one sentence: if it obstructs or casts a shadow on the face, it’s not permitted.
When it comes to passport photo hair requirements (on your head or on your face), individuals have a lot to consider. Using natural-looking makeup or avoiding it altogether is best if you seldom wear it daily. Certainly, any type of makeup that will make the person look shiny or reflect excessive light in a flash photo is not allowed. Passport photo requirements for makeup are very liberal however, there are a few things individuals should avoid. However, there are some rules as to what is allowed: full-blown “toothy” smiles are out of the question, but closed-mouth smiles are okay (it’s even possible for some teeth to be visible as long as the mouth is not open). The US is one of the few countries worldwide where smiling in passport photos is permitted. *US citizens who wear glasses worn for significant medical reasons that are supported by a signed doctor’s statement can keep them for a passport photo. Glasses (of any type) are not permitted* in US passport photos and must be removed prior to snapping your picture–this includes corrective eyewear. Individuals wishing to DIY their passport photos should use an accredited background removal tool. Passport photo backgrounds may only be white or off-white and cannot display any shadows, textures, lines, or objects. US passport photos have very strict requirements concerning the background portion of the photo. For example, wearing a hoodie with the hood up or a rolled-up turtleneck sweater is not permitted. It’s best to wear everyday clothes such as a shirt, t-shirt, or v-neck that does not obstruct any part of the face. Uniforms of any kind are not allowed, nor are individuals permitted to wear clothing that resembles a uniform or camouflage-style military attire. Passport photo requirements for clothing allow users a lot of freedom in choosing their attire for passport pictures. Be sure to read through each section carefully before submitting your passport photo to US agents. If you’re considering getting a new passport in 2023 and want to ensure your picture meets all US passport photo requirements, you’ve scrolled to the right place.Īfter hours of research and countless sleepless nights, PhotoAiD® proudly presents the ultimate passport photo guidelines checklist. That’s the equivalent to roughly the entire population of Australia receiving a new passport in one year! Think of all the passport photos and applications US agents had to approve…Incredible. In 2022, the US Department of State issued nearly 22 million US passports (that’s including 3.36 million US passport cards).