Getting your passport photo taken is a rite of passage, but can also be tricky if you don't know the rules and regulations. Figuring out what to wear for a passport photo, what color the background has to be, and who can take your picture show are just a few of the hurtles you take to handleearlier you fifty-fifty submit your application.

That's why we're taking the guess work out of the passport application process. Follow these passport photo practise'southward and don'ts for everyone in the family, including babies.

What to Wear for a Passport Photograph

When choosing your passport photo outfit, it'due south best to go along it simple. Wear what you would normally put on while wandering around boondocks. A unproblematic top and jeans is perfect.

There are a few things yous should non habiliment for a passport photograph, though. Work and sports uniforms, or anything that may look like a uniform, shouldn't be worn. You besides can't wear fatigues or camouflage prints.

Evidently, you tin can accept a passport photo with a facial tattoo. It's not something you tin have off. Permanent piercings are likewise allowed (ears, nose, eyebrow, etc.). You just tin can't wear any jewelry that hides your face. When in doubt, proceed the accessories simple.

What Not to Wear for a Passport Photo

Hats (With Two Exceptions)

Hats are a big no-no, but there are ii exceptions to this rule: religious or medical purposes. If you wear a hat or head piece for either of those reasons, you must submit a signed statement.

Those who cover their head for religious purposes must sign a argument that confirms they're wearing a head covering equally part of traditional religious practices and that they vesture it all of the time. If you cover your head for medical purposes, you must submit a signed doctor's statement verifying you encompass your caput every day.

Your hairline cannot exist obscured and you cannot accept any shadows on your face for the passport photo.

Eyeglasses

You cannot wear eyeglasses in a passport photo. If y'all absolutely cannot take off your glasses for medical reasons, yous will need a signed md'southward note submitted with your awarding. Sunglasses are obviously a big no, as well as tinted spectacles. Your photo must show your eyes and face.

How to Take Your Passport Photo at Home

Yes, you tin take your own passport photo at home. But no selfies, ever. You will need a tripod or someone else to take your photograph for you then that it is direct on. Your image must be shot in high-resolution and conspicuously lit. Go exterior or take multiple calorie-free sources on your face.

Practise not use a filter. Your passport application volition be sent dorsum if whatsoever digital enhancements have been made.

Leave the retouching for your personal photos. If you have red-eye in your photo, you cannot touch information technology out. You will take to take a new passport photo to submit. You lot likewise can't touch out pimples, facial scars or other imperfections. (Embrace those imperfections or apply a trivial brand-up to encompass them upward.)

Choose a White Groundwork

Your passport photo groundwork must be white or off white. If yous want to brand sure your photo is accepted with your application, stick to a white wall. People have had their applications returned because the background wasn't white enough.

Yous want a very elementary wall or flat sheet without any big wrinkles. No shadows should be bandage on your face from your low-cal source either.

Grin, But Continue it Simple

Co-ordinate to the U.S. State Department'south website, you actually can smile in your passport photograph. Only continue it natural with both eyes open. Your smile should be simple, not exaggerated.

Where to Get Your Passport Photo Taken

Unless you live near a passport agency, you'll want to look at commercial passport photo locations. There are enough of camera shops and drugstore photo departments that offer passport photo services in cities and towns beyond the U.Due south., including CVS and Walgreens. Ii printed images will usually cost you under $20. If y'all took a photo yourself, photograph labs and drugstore photo departments tin print your passport photo for you lot, as well.

AAA is also a nifty spot to get your passport photo taken. UPS and FedEx stores offering passport photo services too. You can besides popular into Costco, if you are a member, as well as Walmart. Keep in listen that you'll take to mail service in your application or go to your local postal service role to submit your application in person (kickoff timers and children).

Many U.Southward. Post Offices can take your passport photo and submit your application to the government. In that location is a service fee for applying at a post office, just it can be much easier to go an appointment at your local post office than a U.S. Passport agency in your hometown. For those getting a passport for the first time, as well as any children renewing passports, you will need to go in person to the mail function either fashion, so you lot might as well get your photo washed at the same time.

Related: Tropical Embankment Vacations That Don't Require a Passport

Baby Passport Photo Requirements

Babies are some of the hardest subjects to capture for a passport photo. At that place are two elementary ways to get their headshot, though. First, lay your baby on a flat white sheet, and photograph him or her from above. Make sure you aren't casting any shadows on your baby's face when doing this.

Another not bad way to photograph a baby, especially infants, is to place a white sheet over a car seat and put your baby in their automobile seat (unstrapped). Brand certain neither the canvas nor motorcar seat covers your baby'due south ears or face in any fashion. Also, you volition need to do this when you baby is awake, and their eyes are open. When in doubt, go to your local AAA or passport agency. They'll ensure certain yous get a photo that will exist accustomed.

Keryn Means lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. with her hubby, two boys and one fluffy niggling pup. She is an award-winning travel journalist with bylines on Thrillist.com , Travel Historic period West and more, and loves to talk travel on ABC's Good Morning Washington. You can find Keryn dragging her two boys around the DC expanse most days and across the globe several times a year. Follow along on their adventures on WalkingOnTravels.com  and on Instagram .

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