Which hair color on passport application?
 

This may seem like an odd question but I have never had a passport before. On the application it asks for haircolor. Do I put my natural color, which is brown, or do I put my current color which is red? And does it even matter? Someone suggested I just put brunette. Someone else recommended Auburn which is sort of middle of the road red/brown. Good grief. I'm glad they don't ask for weight. That changes daily!

I would just put red or auburn because the ticket agents at the airlines look it over, read it, look at you, make sure you match the description and then hand it back to you. If something happened to you abroad they would use it to i.d. you also.

For heaven's sake - look at the photo. What color is the hair. If this is a significant dilemma to you, you should stay home. Otherwise, you're liable to get yourself into serious trouble in foreign lands.

This is the most obscure question I've seen in the departure lounge since I started surfing 2 months ago.

Natasha, just for laughs I called the Post Office where I recently got my passport with your question. (By the way, I was born with brown hair but it has been blonde from a bottle for years sh-sh-sh. I put blonde on my passport application). Anyway, accepting the chuckle that I expected from the postal employee after asking the hair color question, I was told there was no definite answer to the question. I doubt that is the truth (I am sure there is rule buried somewhere), but what the agent told me was that one should just use common sense in deciding which color of hair gives the best id. So you might now ask yourself - when you changed your hair color were those who know you still able to tell that it was you? If so, then you are probably ok with that color. Have you thought of the problems you would encounter, if you decided to grow a beard?

With the widespread use of plastic surgery today I daresay a good percentage of applicants have similar problems in other areas. Lets not get into hair transplants!

Thanks for the input Joan and Tricia. Gosh, some of you other guys are so uppity. This is not a "significant" problem, but I imagine some other women probably have wondered the same thing. Thanks again.

This is idiotic! Just put whatever color your hair is in the photo. If you can't decide on a hair color, how in the world are you going to mange a trip?

Perhaps so, but at least I can spell. If you felt it was beneath you to answer my question, why did you bother sending it back up. And, exactly who made you the arbiter of what questions can be asked and answered at this site? Why is it such a trial to just be nice?

Your question is not silly, especially in light of how long a passport lasts now. My hair color is nowhere near the color it was when I got my first passport at age 23--and I'm not the only woman in the world who lightens her hair and/or covers the gray more often than only when it's passport-picture-taking-time.

How interesting! My business partner just returned from Europe and said she was detained for a hour because her passport, that she got 2 years ago, says she is a brunette. Her hair is now red, and she never even considered the possibility that it would be a big deal.

Yes, hair color is a very weighty. Come on, there aren't any rules or regs. Some staffer at the post office will just make it up on the spot. If this is such an important issue for you, why would you depend on the advice of the folks who deliver your mail? Consult the N Y Times - that's what my sister-in-law does, amnd she claims to know all the answers. Believe me, I too ask silly questions, so I am trying to be sympathetic to your concerns. But this has all been too unreal for words. But it does have some entertainment value. I bet it's all a ruse for attention. Have a nice trip (if you go).

Oh for Pete's sake people, give the girl a break. She just asked a simple question. I just started surfing this forum several weeks ago and while I think it is helpful, some of you just get way too worked up about some of this stuff. Just make your best guess Natasha, and have fun on your trip!

Hi Natasha. What I think you are trying to say is that you don't want to lie on your passport application, which is what you feel you would be doing if you don't put your "Real" color. On the other hand you don't want to be mistaken for someone else if you tell the "truth" and put the color you were born with when you're not that color any more. Actually I think it is kind of an interesting question. I agree with one of the earlier posters that there probably is some miniscule reg. somewhere. Put your current color, what the heck, live on the edge.

James, interesting comments from someone who is known by his "obscure details?" To answer your question about why someone would ask a postal agent such a question as what hair color to put on your passport. The reason is because not all of postal people deliver mail, some of them "accept passport applications - d u h! - with pictures attached - d u h! Get it? Lots of exposure to passports. Also, you obviously don't understand the U.S. government or you would not suggest that there is no rule on the subject. Looks like you got yourself a little attention. Now tell the truth, did you plan it that way?

Hi, Joan. I liked your response. Actually I wasn't looking for attention - just surfing. It's just that everyone else piled on about the hair color issue, and I thought I'd join in on the fun. As an aside: actually I discussed this issue with my wife last night - she's just applied for a passport renewal. Her hair is brown but she dyed it red, so she though it was a major issue. So, when I joked about it, I got into trouble. Anyway, jsut a suggestion - drop the duh - as much as I love Elaine, she's overworked that expression. And I bet you're a lot smarter than she is. About the post office and passports - they don't all carry the forms, and none asks any questions. The clerks know absolutely zero about passports - trust me, I actually do work for the US government and live in our nation's capitol. Have a nice day, over and out, and so long to the Fodor site for good. It has been fun, but other things await. Bye.

James, your information is incorrect and your reading comprehension is lacking. I didn't say that "all" post offices handle passport applications. When I was writing to Natasha, I specifically referred to the ONE where I submitted my passport application. You are incorrect that NONE of them ask questions. The one I went to looked over our applications, asked additional questions, and even rejected one of our photos (that had been taken by Kinko's) because it did not meet specifications. I'm starting to understand why they call you "obscure details." I bet you hear "duh" a lot. Huh? Maybe that's why you think it is overused. Sorry. As far as leaving this site, it is an addiction that is not easy to break.

To paraphrase Winston Churchill: never have so many labored so long, for so few, and achieved so little. How about just asking the passport issuing authority for guidelines?

Gee, nice reply, Joan, especially the part about duh. Actually that type of response makes it rather easy to depart this particular posting. Conversing here has become something akin to empty calories. Take care, but sorry, there really are better things to do, and it's not addictive for some of us, as apparently it is for you. Regards.

Following Ronald's advice, I sent a message to Passport Now [www.passportnow.com.] After all with all this todo we should end up with an official answer. This is what they sent back "The State Department Regulations are silent on hair color. I would advise that the statement you sign claims that the picture is a 'true likeness'. If the picture is to be a 'true likeness' I would assume it would be of the current hair color. Thus the hair color should be consistent with the hair color on the application. I would also say that this does not solely apply to females as men gray as they age and there are also people like Dennis Rodman (what color is it today?) The color in the picture should be the color on the application. The passport agency is most concerned with the integrity of the citizenship documents and birth records and less focused on application information. Hair color is after all subjective and these clerks are looking at 2"x2" photos in which you can not tell black from brown, etc." This information was from Chris Shearon at the Passport Now organization. For anybody who wants a possible better answer and who wants to spend $.35/minute they can call the National Passport Information Center at 1-900-225-5674 and get an automated service or spend $1.05/minute for their operator service. So does this settle it?

Joan, at this point, there's no one left that cares. Give it a rest !!

I setteled the question with the first answer- the rest of you just had to keep it going! Talk about spinning wheels!

What's so wrong with people (fellow-travelers) around the world chatting? Why does it have to be a strict and rigid topic before it is considered worthy of discussion? Why the warning that someone might be "wasting" someone else's time. Checking this site is not mandatory! However, you must find something appealing about it or else you wouldn't keep checking it. (Isn't that right, James?) Anyway, there is usually no more than one topic of this type going at one time. Lighten up. :-)

Joan "duh" good grief "duh" give it a rest "duh-duh".

James, I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. However, based on the way you criticized me in your original posting for checking with the post office to find an answer to Natasha's question, and the way you implied how stupid postal employees are, I assumed you could take it as good as you could dish it out. I guess I was wrong. Sorry, I didn't know you were so sensitive.

Dear Natasha - Clearly, it is unacceptable to ask an innocent question these days. This was your topic, and I believe you have your answer. Why not put this issue to bed - to paraphrase the excellent John Cleese - "this parrot has ceased to be" - and say thanks and goodbye and Joan, get a life.

Joan - just a word to the wise - MY last message was two days ago, so don't be duped by phony responses, e.g., the latest "duh" message. I admit I did check back because this was without a doubt the wierdest chat going these past few days. But "obscure" is just a made-up name, I chat all the time, but this is my last with you folks. See, I told you - there are no regs. on this issue, and the State dept. person just made it up on the spot. You are no doubt an expert in some areas, but just a beginner in others. Goodbye at this posting, and if another uses by phony name again, try not to buy in. Chow.

James, if you know that all the postings with your name on them are not your's, then why would you conclude that all the postings with my name on them are mine? Duh! :-) Just kidding. Seriously, I reported this to my service provider.

Aaaaaha ! James I knew you were still lurking around out there and I could lure you back for one last (maybe) comment.JOAN,you don't know what a LAST comment is.

Joan: I apologize to you. My remarks were unkind. I believe the exchanges have gone on for too long. Not to be repetitive, but no one is listening. Lets all agree to stop now.

Big mystery, Keith, Ken. etc. You are so apparent. Who else but you stoops to falsifying postings? Hate to ruin your fun but based on past experience it seems once you are revealed it takes the fun out of it for you. Doesn't it? Is this when you start cussing us?

Big mystery, Keith, Ken or whomever you are pretending to be today. You are so apparent. Who else but you stoops to falsifying postings? Hate to ruin your fun but based on past experience it seems once you are revealed it takes the fun out of it for you. Doesn't it? Is this when you start cussing us? By the way, I doubt you will get the last word in.

Big mystery, Keith, Ken or whomever you are pretending to be today. You are so apparent. Who else but you stoops to falsifying postings. Hate to ruin your fun but based on past experience now that you are revealed it takes the fun out of it for you. Doesn't it? Is this when you start cussing? By the way, I doubt you will have the last word.

You're so right, if only because you would like for there not to be a 'last word'. Look chaps, stop replying so Joan can find another topic to bore instead. Give it a rest, for goodness sake!

Sabrina , Sabrina , Sabrina great minds think alike.I like your style, will you marry me? (JUST KIDDING!)

Sabrina, think twice before you answer. You may be getting two or more for the price of one (You may get a Keith, a Ken, a James, a etc) If you guys get married, can we plan your honeymoon? Just instantly I can think of a place you can both go.

Someone suggested that Joan get a life/hobby, whatever, but of the 40 replies to this post at least 11 are hers.I think she found a career !!!!!!!

Let's see. You could decide what your favorite hair color is (if possible) and use that on your application. It would be important to make sure to have it that color when having your photo taken. Then, be sure to make a note to return your hair to that color whenever you travel to places requiring a passport. In between trips, you can be more creative. Or, perhaps you could have your passport amended each time you change your hair color (like one does after having changed one's name upon marriage). Keep in mind, though, there's only so much room on the back page for amendments! Perhaps it would be easiest to use your natural color on your application and when changing colors, simply allow plenty of time for enough to grow out to point out your roots, should anyone question the difference between the photo and the text. In a pinch, you could always carry a box of Nice 'n Easy which matches the photo and simply excuse yourself to the powder room if pressed for an explanation.

How about a passport for each possible hair color? Just take the one which fits the current look! Aliases might be necessary but a trip to the federal lockup is also a form of creative travel!

I have created a monster. Now, how to get said beast back into the (Miss Clairol) box?