Why Can’t You Wear Glasses for Passport Photos?
Everyone applying for a passport needs to include a photo of themselves with the application. It must be easy for anyone checking your passport to look at that photo and confirm it’s you.
To that end, the U.S. Department of State, which is the agency that issues passports, created the No Eyeglass Policy in 2016. This policy states that glasses can’t be worn in passport photos. The main reason for the rule is that glasses can obscure facial features, making it hard to identify someone accurately.
Before the No Eyeglass Policy, passport pictures were often rejected because people wore glasses that made it difficult to see their faces. For example, glare on the lenses or shadows cast by the frames can make it hard to see facial features or otherwise confirm someone’s identity in a passport photo.
The policy helps reduce passport application delays and the number of rejected applications.
Can You Wear Sunglasses in Passport Photos?
The No Eyeglass Policy also covers sunglasses. It can be even more difficult to identify someone if they’re wearing sunglasses in their passport photo. Therefore, wearing sunglasses or tinted glasses is not allowed.
Exceptions to Glasses in Passport Photo Rules
There are a few rare exceptions to the No Eyeglass Policy. If you must keep your glasses on for medical reasons, you have to submit a note signed by your doctor with your passport application. For example, if you recently had eye surgery and need to wear glasses to protect your eyes, you may be able to wear them in your photo as long as you include a signed doctor’s note.
This also applies if you have a severe vision impairment and need to wear your glasses all the time. You’ll need a signed note from your doctor to wear them in your passport picture.
If you or your child are allowed to wear your glasses, there are rules you must follow to ensure they don’t conceal your eyes:
- There should be no glare on your lenses that makes it hard to see your eyes.
- The frames must not cover any portion of your eyes.
- The frames should not cast a shadow on your eyes or face.
- Any refraction (bending of light) from the lenses must not hide your eyes.
Remember, your photo must make it easy for your identity to be confirmed any time you use your passport.
Can Children Wear Glasses in Passport Photos?
No, kids typically can’t wear eyeglasses or sunglasses in their passport photo. An exception may be allowed if a child wears glasses for a medical reason. If this is the case, the parents must provide a statement signed by the child’s doctor explaining why the child needs to keep their glasses on.
Tips for Taking a Passport Photo
Taking a passport picture can be quick and easy if you’re prepared. Here are some passport photo specs to keep in mind:
- Don’t wear a hat or head covering – These generally aren’t allowed, but there are a couple of exceptions. If you wear a hat or head covering for religious reasons, you must submit a signed statement explaining that you wear it daily in public as religious attire.
- Don’t wear a uniform – Uniforms, camouflage clothing, and any other attire that looks like a uniform (even if it isn’t) are not allowed.
- Leave the headphones at home – You can’t wear any type of headphones or wireless hands-free device in your passport picture.
- Remove a mask or face covering – You can’t wear anything that blocks your face. That means taking off a medical mask or any kind of face covering.
- Keep your jewelry on – It’s okay to wear jewelry, including facial piercings, as long as they don’t obscure any part of your face.
- Wear makeup if you want to – It’s okay to wear makeup as long as it doesn’t alter your facial features. Your passport photo needs to look like you.
Can You Smile in a Passport Photo?
You may have heard that you can’t smile in your passport picture. However, that’s not true. The Department of State allows you to smile as long as your eyes are open and your mouth is closed.
Even though you can’t wear glasses for a passport photo, you can still have the perfect pair to put on afterward. At Eyebuydirect, we offer a wide variety of glasses for women, men, and kids. We also have sunglasses for the whole family so you’ll be prepared for wherever your journey takes you.
