Passport

[andymattmom]

We are getting ready to get passport photos taken. Are women allowed to have bangs or is it like driver's license photo where hair has to be off face. Want to be prepared and look a little better than license picture. :)

[Jobeth66]

I have bangs in my passport photo, never had a question about it. I have bangs on my Global Entry card photo as well. (I also have bangs on my DL photo, that's not an issue in NJ, apparently. :) )

[awhfy]

Bangs are fine. Never heard of having them off the face for any official photo

[Got2Cruise]

The bangs can't cover your eyes

[snowmaiden]

Here's the official U.S. government rules on passport photos: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/photos/photos.html. Hair isn't mentioned at all. It does say you need a plain white background and a "neutral facial expression." I think that's why passport photos usually look so strange. My attempt at a neutral expression actually looks vaguely peeved.

[north29]

That if your appearance changes drastically you might have to get a new PP.

 

Losing a lot of weight was mentioned did not hear anything about hair.

[eandj]

Wear your hair normally. In the next 10 years the style will probably change more than once.

[Flatbush Flyer]

We are getting ready to get passport photos taken. Are women allowed to have bangs or is it like driver's license photo where hair has to be off face. Want to be prepared and look a little better than license picture. :)

 

 

We've all always liked you better without the bangs :-)

[Keith1010]

Bangs are fine. No glasses.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

Presently on my 6th passport.

Have worn glasses all my life.

Pictures for passports and drivers license show me wearing glasses.

My DH also wear glasses all the time.

[flamomo]

Presently on my 6th passport.

Have worn glasses all my life.

Pictures for passports and drivers license show me wearing glasses.

My DH also wear glasses all the time.

 

 

 

That's weird. Both times I have had passport photos taken they made me remove my glasses. even though I wear them every waking moment. I was told it was to avoid the possibility of glare reflecting off the lens, but IMO, the photographer SHOULD be competent enough to know how to avoid having glare issue show up on the finished product!!

[cherylandtk]

Glasses are fine IF they do not show glare or reflection or block the eyes; the picture has to show your eyes. For some people it means remove the glasses, for others not a problem.

 

Same issue with hair/head coverings. If your bangs hang below your eyebrows, they need to be moved to the side for the picture.

[GMRPHRN]

We went to Walgreen's to make the kids passport pictures and the sales associate insisted that my daughter's long hair had to be up. When we got to the post office to turn in the app the postal employee said that was not true.

[kelkel2]

I've never heard of a hair restriction in a passport photo. I guess I could see it being an issue if your daughter's face/eyes weren't visible as others have stated. But I have longer hair and I wasn't told to tie mine up when I took my photo and in fact, my photo has my hair down, long and curly, and its on my passport. Maybe just the fact that it wasn't in my face made it ok?

[DonnaK]

My daughters and I were instructed to tuck our hair behind our ears in our passport photos. Same for my daughter's Italian Visa. And, no smiling.

[Shmoo here]

According to http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/photos/photos.html

 

These are the requirments for photos for US passports:

Your passport photo must be:

• In color
  
• Printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper
  
• 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size
  
• Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (between 25 and 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. View the Photo Composition Template for more size requirement details.
  
• Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
  
• Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
  
• Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
  
• Taken with a neutral facial expression (preferred) or a natural smile, and with both eyes open
  

[Capt_BJ]

here's the thing .....

 

if there is a question in your mind, what do you REALLY want to do? Test the passport office, who can simply reject your photo and say "try again" adding to your processing time. OR, play it as SAFE as you can possibly get?

 

It is a PASSPORT PHOTO ..... who sees these other than the officials reviewing your PASSPORT????????

 

My goal is to emulate a MUG SHOT! (while sober)

Edited September 20, 2015 by Capt_BJ

[andymattmom]

Thanks. Went to get them yesterday, but machine at Costco down so waiting until later this week.

 

I asked because in Indiana on my driver's license I could have no bangs at all. They said the facial recognition didn't allow for anything, it was all I could do to get hair off my face (no they don't cover eyes at all but the lady insisted my forehead couldn't have hair).

 

I plan on keeping as much off my face as I can as I don't want it rejected :). I had read online all the restrictions and documentations needed but couldn't find anything on hair (and of course the picture examples they give didn't show really either). I already have enough paperwork as I was born on Naval base in Japan so I don't want to chance with the picture.

 

Thanks again.

[mapsmith]

I would go to AAA for new pics. If you are a member they are free. (One of the benefits) And they do Passport photos on an everyday basis. If they were not correct, they would be hearing from members.

[happy traveler69]

my second passport (10 years ago) I was told I couldn't smile. I hated that picture. a few weeks ago, I was told I couldn't smile, again, because my eyes tend to squich when I smile. the people at the post office said that the passport people rather see my eyes than my teeth!! so I gather that as long as they can see distinguishable features, such as eyes, you should be ok! I'm just mad that mine looks like a mugshot (but my passport was processed and I received it this past week)!!!

[Extra Kim]

To me it's a bit strange that passports are a big deal in the U.S, does they cost much or what's the reason for not getting one?

 

In Sweden I just walk down to the policestation in my hometown (60 - 70 000 residents), they take my picture at the station. I pay 350 Swedish crowns (that's around 41-42 U.S dollars) and I can pick up my new passport 1-2 weeks later at the same policestation.

[Floridiana]

To me it's a bit strange that passports are a big deal in the U.S, does they cost much or what's the reason for not getting one?

 

For picture identification most Americans use their drivers license. They also live far from the 2 borders and both border countries have accepted other forms of identification in the past, maybe even now. I am not current on this since I use my passport when I leave the country.

 

Passports are no big deal, it just seems so on cruise critic. I guess that cruising attracts people new to traveling abroad.

[SantaFeFan]

For picture identification most Americans use their drivers license. They also live far from the 2 borders and both border countries have accepted other forms of identification in the past, maybe even now. I am not current on this since I use my passport when I leave the country.

 

Passports are no big deal, it just seems so on cruise critic. I guess that cruising attracts people new to traveling abroad.

 

Almost 2/3 of US citizens have never left the country. http://mic.com/articles/28780/why-64-of-americans-have-never-left-the-u-s

 

One of the reasons is that because the US is so large there is plenty to do here without having to leave it's borders. Our states are the size of entire countries in Europe, and many states are larger than most countries. With the variety of climates, geographical features, and even different cultures in different states, many people will spend their lifetime's worth of vacation time exploring the US.

 

Edited September 28, 2015 by SantaFeFan

[Honolulu Blue]

In Sweden I just walk down to the policestation in my hometown (60 - 70 000 residents), they take my picture at the station.

 

In my part of America, the only pictures my local police station takes are free and they come with a free ride, a free escort into the building, free bracelets, free fingerprinting, and a free phone call. What a deal! :D

[sloopsailor]

To me it's a bit strange that passports are a big deal in the U.S, does they cost much or what's the reason for not getting one?

 

In Sweden I just walk down to the policestation in my hometown (60 - 70 000 residents), they take my picture at the station. I pay 350 Swedish crowns (that's around 41-42 U.S dollars) and I can pick up my new passport 1-2 weeks later at the same policestation.

 

In the US, a first passport costs about $160, and a renewal about $110. Almost every town has a post office that will take the photo and assist in applying for a passport. The passport will be mailed to the applicant when it is processed.

 

A passport is not a big deal for the majority of US citizens. As was mentioned in another post, many people have no need for a passport because they are perfectly happy exploring the vastness of the United States, which is quite large compared to the typical European country. A person can spend a lifetime exploring the US without ever needing a passport. My own mother, who traveled much of her life all over the US, did not apply for her first passport until she was 72. And this only because we wanted to take her to Europe to show her some of our favorite places such as Paris, Geneva, Rome, and Venice.

Edited September 28, 2015 by sloopsailor