Simple Steps To Ensure Your Passport Photo Success

By David Hawkin


Most countries have their own special requirements regarding passport photo dimensions. The US is no different in this respect however you shouldn't feel nervous obtaining your pictures. The following advice will guide you though pitfalls thus allowing you to obtain your US Passport without any problems.

The passport photos submitted with your passport application must be the same.

Your Passport photos must be printed on photo-quality media.

Your Passport pictures must be printed in colour.

Your pictures must be current and up to date within the last six months.

The size of the photos that you submit should be 2" x 2" to be acceptable.

The passport pictures should clearly show a full frontal view of your face. You should be dressed in everyday clothing without headgear or tinted spectacles against a plain white or off-white backdrop. You should adopt a neutral expression with mouth closed and eyes fully open looking straight ahead. If your pictures are blurred then they will be rejected.

The dimensions of your head measured between the bottom of the chin and top of the crown must be within 1"- 1 and 3/8". The position of your head must be central neither looking up, down or off to one side. Your head must cover approximately fifty percent of the photograph area.

It is possible to wear a hat or headgear on grounds of religious belief as long as your face is not obstructed.

You may wear everyday spectacles in the passport photo, however there should be no glare or reflection that obscures your eyes.

If you wear sunglasses on medical grounds you will be able to leave them on in your photos. However you may be asked to send supporting evidence from your medical practitioner in the form of a letter.

Uniforms in passport pictures should be avoided unless they are being worn on religious grounds.

Having passport pictures taken of infants and young children can be difficult. It is advised that you visit a professional photographer. Parents or guardians must not feature in the pictures neither should any mechanical device supporting their pose.

It is not possible to re-use your picture from an old driving license of photo ID. Neither should you digitally enhance or change your photograph before submitting it with your passport application as it will be rejected.

Photographs copied from newspapers and magazines will not comply with the strict regulations. It is also likely that pictures from most vending booths will be rejected. Photos that are a full length body shot of the subject will also be disallowed.

You may take your own pictures with a digital camera providing it has sufficient resolution. The photographic equipment must have the ability to capture and store images with 1 mega-pixel or greater. It is however recommended that a professional photography lab prints the digital images as home equipment is very often unable to meet the specific criteria.




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