As of November 1st, 2016, you are no longer allowed to wear glasses in your passport photo.
One common reason that passport applications get delayed is for an unacceptable passport photo. You can’t just submit a random headshot of yourself- the US Department of State is very particular about the type of photos it will accept. Here are some guidelines to make sure your glamour shot gets accepted the first time:
- Face forward-this is not a modeling shoot. The Department of State doesn’t care if you look better with your head tilted at a specific angle.-they just a want a picture of you facing forward, looking at the camera.
- No hats or headgear allowed, unless you wear them everyday for religious reasons. If this is the case, you will need to submit a signed statement verifying that the headgear is religious in nature.
- No funny faces-the government will reject your photo if it shows you making an “unusual expression” or squinting.
- Ditch the shades-Unless you need them for medical reasons, you are not allowed to wear sunglasses in your passport photo. Regular, un-tinted glasses are okay, but make sure there isn’t any glare on them in the picture.
- No uniforms: If you’re wearing a uniform for work, school or an organization like Scouts, make sure you change before you go to get your passport photo taken. Passport photos taken in a uniform, anything that looks like a uniform, or camouflage attire will be rejected.
- Make sure the photos are in focus, not overexposed and the right size. They should be 2 inches by 2 inches, and your face should be approximately 1 to 1 3/8 inches tall.
Once you submit your photos and your application, you can expect to wait at least 6 weeks if you apply with regular processing and at least 3 weeks if you apply for the government’s expedited processing. For faster service, a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport is the most convenient option.
When you submit your application through RushMyPassport.com, it will be hand-delivered to the Department of State, for processing times as fast as 24 hours. This not only gets your passport to you more quickly, it also gives you more time in case your application is held up by the Department of State for any reason.