Every September, the State Department conducts a national public awareness campaign to capture the attention of an increasingly mobile U.S. population. This year, the Department’s office of Passport Services will launch the #PicturePerfectPassport campaign on Twitter and Facebook. Our goal is to improve the quality of passport photos that applicants submit so that more travelers receive their passports in time for important travel.
Poor quality photos are the number one reason passport applications are delayed. In 2015, more than 200,000 passport applications were delayed for inadequate photos. When Passport Services receives a poor quality photo on a passport application, we must notify applicants and require a new photo be submitted by mail. Passport applications submitted with photos that do not meet photo requirements often delay an application and can interfere with travel plans.
An infographic from the #PicturePerfectPassport campaign featuring the top eight reasons that passport photos are denied. [State Department Photo]
How do you avoid these delays? Here are the top five reasons passport photos are rejected and suggestions on how they can easily be prevented:
- A glare appears on eyeglasses – Glasses should be removed for a photo.
- The photo is either too light or too dark – The tone of your photo must be clear to reflect true skin tone.
- An old photo is submitted – Your photo must have been taken within six months of submitting a passport application.
- The head size is unsuitable – Photos taken too close or too far away will be rejected.
- The quality of the image or paper is poor – Photos are often blurry, grainy, pixelated, or printed on the wrong paper. Your photos should always be clear and as high resolution as possible.
If you are thinking about applying for a passport in the near future, you should know the Department of State expects record high passport demand in 2016-2018. In order to avoid a delay in the processing of your passport application, it is important that the photo you include meets all requirements.
This Passport Awareness Month, we hope to remind Americans who are planning international travel, whether for work or leisure, of the importance of having the travel documents they need. Starting early and including all the needed requirements for your passport, including an approved passport photo, will bring you one step closer to your ultimate travel destination.
About of Author: Brenda Sprague serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services in the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
For More Information:
- Visit Travel.State.Gov/Pictureperfect for more about the campaign and our top photo problems.
- Call the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778/1-888-874-7793 or visit Travel.State.Gov for information on passport forms and fees.
- Follow @TravelGov and visit TravelGov Facebook page for specific updates from the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
- Read other DipNote blogs related to consular affairs at the State Department.
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