My fiance and I went last week to get our photos taken for our new passports. We are first time international travelers going to London for our November honeymoon.
The guy who took our photos insisted that we both remove our prescription glasses and take the photos that way, so assuming he knew what he was doing, we followed his instructions. We submitted the applications at our local post office with copies of our driver's licenses (which of course show us with glasses).
Besides being really irritated, I am wondering if anyone thinks that our applications will be denied because of this. Or, perhaps even worse, we get our passports but then have problems while on our trip with TSA or otherwise.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Passport photo question
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I guess I should follow up and say that I now see on the State Dept website that you should wear glasses for your passport photo if they are prescription.
Hmmm...that's a tough question. Does the website say "should" or "must"/"required" (in other words, something more definite)?
It says "should". I thought the same thing today, if it is required wouldn't it say "must"? Semantics I know....
For what it's worth, my hair is completely different now than it is in my passport photo, but I'm certainly not going to get a new passport! I think they have to expect that people will change their hair, get new glasses, etc., especially since passports don't expire for several years.
My guess is it says "should" because there are probably thousands of people who, for ex., may have traded contacts for glasses or vice versa. To require someone to look almost exactly like they do in DLs, passports or when they actually go through customs re glasses could create some real nightmares.
I'm guessing you're talking about US passport photos. In Canada, you can wear your glasses in the photo but, there can't be any glare or reflection on them in the photo. It's just simpler to not wear them to start than have to check the photo for glare, re-do it, check it... etc.
I was just thinking about this again, and I really don't think you have anything to worry about, especially regarding getting through security. I may be remembering incorrectly, but I think you only have to show your passport to TSA, not your license. So they won't be comparing your passport photo to the license photo.
And if something happens that your passport application is denied (which I highly doubt), you would still have time to order an expedited passport even though it's more expensive. Long story, short: don't worry and have fun on your honeymoon!
In Canada, we were told to remove our glasses, as well as small gold 'hoop' earrings!?
I just wanted to follow up and say that we are received our passports today. Took about 4 weeks total. I am relieved to not have to worry about this anymore, now I can just continue trip planning!
Just to chime in for anyone who might still need passport photos, you can take your own. Just make sure they are the proper size and the background is plain. We use a white wall as our backdrop and trim the prints to size.
As I have heard of a problem many times for newlyweds, make sure your air tickets are in the same name as your passport even if you are changing your name upon marriage.