Passport Photo Help

Sep 20, 2015

Justine S.

So in the next month I'm applying for my passport (I've never had one before) so I was just wondering if there's certain clothes I have to wear (like a color) and whether or not I can wear makeup and have bangs in my face? any help is appreciated.

Sep 20, 2015

Lara C.

Normally you can do whatever you want really. I personally just do basic mascara when taking passport pics. I would only recommend you make sure your foundation is matte if you do wear some, because if its too shiny, they will powder you with the same makeup they use on everyone else (I personally find this gross lol)

Sep 20, 2015

Traci P.

You can usually wear what you wish, just no hats or accessories that hide your features. I went to a FedEx Kinkos for my passport photo. I just made sure that I chose one that had a big window for natural light and went at a good time of day so that it would look better than just their fluorescent lighting. As far as makeup I would keep it simple, nothing too extreme unless that is how you truly doll yourself up everyday. As far as the matte makeup claim that Lara stated above, that must have just been where she went for her photo because I had a nice dewy glow and they didn't try to powder me up at all, I don't even think FedEx has any powder on hand to do that so I wouldn't worry too much about keeping a matte look. Oh and as for hair, I don't think they will let you have side bangs styled across or in your face because it would obstruct the view, regular straight bangs are fine.

Sep 20, 2015

Kristine N.

Just look like what you would in airport that's what I did with mine.

Sep 20, 2015

Alyx T.

It really depends where you live. In Canada, and some states, you can't have anything that alters your appearance (colored contacts, bold makeup, etc) and you can't have any reflection on the photo, so dewy finishes they will matte there or go ask you to wash it off. My sister wasn't allowed eyeliner that was very thin. I've gotten several passports, and I just go barefaced with a bit of mascara and maybe spot concealing. They will move your hair out of the way if it covers your face. Honestly just wear a plain shirt, no jewelry, keep the makeup absolutely minimal and don't worry about it. The only person who will see it is you and whoever checks it, but even then they see so many that they don't care about what you look like in it. It's a government ID, not a photoshoot photo, you don't have to look nice in it.

Sep 20, 2015

Justine S.

Thank you all! I'm just concerned because I have straight across bangs so I didn't know if they'd make me pin them back or not. my forehead would look weird if they did. I'm not going to wear makeup because it's a picture I really don't care about cause no one will see it.

Sep 21, 2015

Roz X.

Great info up in here. I'm actually getting my first passport photo taken ever this week and so this thread has been immensely helpful. I know my friend has bangs in her Passport and she travels globally without any issue. Her bangs are side bangs and her hair is color blocked (one with an unnatural shade) so I don't think if you are in the states that bangs are going to play a role. I certainly hope not. Although I'll bring a cute hair pin to put them aside if need be...lol

I was referenced to Walgreens for a passport pic, but I had no idea FedEx/Kinkos did them, so THANK YOU! My local Kinkos has a TON of windows and so I didn't even think to take time of day into consideration with regard to natural light streaming in. What a great point!

Justine, good luck and I hope all goes well!!  :)

Sep 21, 2015

Justine S.

Hopefully everything goes well for you too!

Sep 21, 2015

Katie C.

Your ears have to be showing, I'm not sure about bangs, but don't go full out contouring xD you still want it to look like you. Its good for 10 years, at least where I'm from so be wise xD.

Sep 21, 2015

Lisa S.

I have never heard that your ears need to be showing. I've had 2 passports and never had any issues with that. Wear a basic shirt, no jewelry (I had little studs on my ears and they've never said anything about it) and do your hair & makeup how you normally would. I've personally never seen a passport photo that looked great and nobody that is going to be seeing it, is not going to care what you look like. I'm in the United States and from reading the rest of the comments it clearly depends on what country you are from as to how strict they are on those rules. I wore a full face of makeup and did my hair down (how I normally do it) and have never had any issues. Anyways just go basic and try to look how you normally look everyday and you should be good.

Sep 22, 2015

Jeremiah H.

My best advice is to keep it simple!

Sep 24, 2015

Marleen B.

I re-newed mine about 5 years ago. I has my husband take my picture at home in front of a white wall. And we printed it from my portable photo printer. In the United States, the only rules were face forward, color photo in the appropriate passport size. I've heard a lot of these government agencies are not allowing "smiling". But I've never heard of any makeup & jewelry restrictions. Wow! What if your photo is "make-up" free but you travel in full makeup? Some girls can look drastically different without makeup.  Lol!