There are almost as many hairstyles as there are people. Each piece of scalp is unique and there is no wonder many of us would like to maintain that uniqueness in the passport photo as well.
However, when it comes to official documents, unusualness is not quite welcome, and there are sets of guidelines to follow when applying for a new U.S. passport.
See what the passport photo hair requirements are and learn how to handle your hair so that it fits the strict official criteria.
What are the official requirements concerning hair in U.S. passport photos?
Before starting to comb your hair, let’s first take a look at what the officials have to say in this matter. In the following paragraph, you will find out what guidelines set forth by the Department of State a passport photo must meet, regarding acceptable hairstyles.
As to the surprise of many, there is no long and specific list naming what sort of hairstyles are acceptable, and which ones aren’t. Instead, there is merely a vague description that at first seems intuitive and logical, but some questions might arise when you try to apply it to a particular situation.
According to the information available on the Department of State website, applicants need to adjust their hair so that the entire face is visible. In the remaining parts of the website, there is some additional information about accessories, head-coverings, and also that the eyes can’t be covered.
Unfortunately, these guidelines given by the authorities are very general and sometimes tricky to apply in specific circumstances, such as:
- What if I have bangs?
- Can I pin my hair?
- What about putting my hair up?
- Can I cover my ears?
…and many more.
In order to make these vague criteria more applicable, in the following section, we will discuss specific circumstances, transforming the general guidelines into precise instructions.
Interested in finding out more about passport photos? Check out:
- I Have Gray Hair In My Passport Photo and I Changed My Hair Color
- Can I Have Bangs in My Passport Photo?
- What To Do About Your Ugly Passport Photos?
- Passport Photo Face Guide: Everything You Need to Know
- Are Passport Photo Shadows Acceptable?
- Passport Photo Dress Code
- Passport Photo Make-up Tips and Rules
Passport photo hair rules explained–what hairstyles you may have
Although the official guidelines might seem quite tolerant and flexible at the first sight, this is, however, not the case.
The authorities can easily turn a passport photo down if it’s not compliant with the State Department’s regulations, and sometimes, U.S. passport applicants might not even be aware your hairstyle doesn’t meet them.
To make sure the picture falls within the criteria, have a look at some of the most common situations that might cause confusion.
Should I tuck my long hair behind my ears?
In many sources, you might stumble upon a piece of information saying that the entire face must be visible, and therefore long hair needs to be tucked or tied in a ponytail to expose the ears.
However, when it comes to U.S. passport photos, there is no need to keep the ears visible – as stated in the U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual Volume 7, which regulates passport photographs. It only specifies that your head must be in full frontal view. You are, therefore, free to have long hair in its natural position.
Can I have bangs covering my forehead?
When it comes to bangs, the situation is a bit more complicated. The passport photo requirements clearly state that your face should be visible, allowing for quick identification. Having bangs covering a fraction of the forehead won’t create any fuss. However, if you have long bangs which cover the eyebrows, then it’s necessary to hold them back with a subtle bobby pin, as eyebrows need to be visible.
Can I have my hair up or in a bun?
Yes, technically, applicants are free to have hair up in any form they want, as there is no legal information regulating which styles are allowed and which are forbidden. What it means is that you are free to have hair in a ponytail or wear it up in a bun.
However, it is advisable to keep the hair organized, as a good look is not the key aspect of passport photographs, and some officers might consider unusual hairstyles at odds with passport photo rules.
Remember that no matter the hairstyle, all of it must be visible in passport photos. Have that in mind while styling your hair.
Can the color of my hair differ from the one in the passport photo?
There are many queries about what changes in appearance, especially regarding hairstyle, call for a passport renewal. Luckily, in this matter, the Department of State is quite clear and provides us with a specific list of circumstances in terms of appearance, which force holders to update their passports.
In general, only a substantial change of looks, especially one changing the biometrics of the face, calls for a new passport submission. Therefore, hair alterations, whether it is cutting or growing it, dying, or any other modifications, do not compel passport renewal, as they are not considered a significant change.
What hair accessories can I use?
And what about hair accessories? There are circumstances under which it’s necessary to use hair clips, but which ones can applicants have? Are decorative hairpins or headbands allowed? The answer is no.
According to the official U.S. passport guidelines, applicants may not wear any decorative accessories in their hair for passport photos. The only exception is subtle and non-eye-catching hairpins, used to, for example, uncover the forehead.
Once your hair is ready, take your passport photo in seconds
Hopefully, at this point, you are certain about the passport photo rules regarding hairstyle. The next step from here is to take the passport picture, but this creates yet another dilemma: which service to use? There are multiple options, from traditional photo services at a professional studio, through specialized photo booths to online tools.
Passport Photo Online is an AI-backed software that scans the picture uploaded by you to convert its background into a perfect, plain white one. Simultaneously, the app adjusts the rest of the elements, such as cropping, proper lighting, and facial proportions.
In the end, the program checks your photograph in terms of validity with the guidelines, so you are certain your photo will meet the official passport photo requirements.
Sounds like a complicated procedure? The software behind it is indeed quite complex, however, the user interface is very intuitive. You can upload as many pictures as you want, browse through the ones you like best, and pay only once you are satisfied with the result. All of that within minutes of work.
Passport Photo Online gives you the guarantee of having your passport photos accepted, at the same time securing you with a double money refund in the rare instances your photographs get rejected by the authorities.
Passport Photo Hair Requirements – FAQs
Still have some doubts? Check out the section below — we’ll answer some common questions about U.S. passport photo hair rules.
Can I have facial hair in my passport photo?
Yes, regulations concerning facial hair are the same as with regular hair. If you want to learn more, see the passport photo requirements for facial hair.
My hair color has changed since my passport photo. Do I have to get a new passport?
No, you are not required to change your passport photo when you modify your hairstyle. According to the official U.S passport guidelines, there are only a few and specific cases in which you must renew your document. Changes in hairstyle do not fit into any of them.
Can hair cover your ears in a passport photo?
Yes, your ears can be covered in a US passport photo. Despite many misconceptions about that topic, the manual for passport photographs prepared by the Department of State is quite clear about it, and it states that you can cover your ears, either with your hair or religious headwear.
Can you wear a hair clip in a passport photo?
Only a simple hair clip is allowed in a passport photo. You are not allowed to use a decorative hair clip (colorful, unusually shaped, et cetera) in U.S. passport pictures.
Can your hair be dyed in a passport photo?
Yes, U.S. passport photo rules do not require applicants to show their natural hair color.
Can you wear a wig for a passport photo?
Only if it’s worn normally. Applicants cannot wear a wig exclusively for a passport photo.
Does hair color matter on a passport photo?
No, applicants can have dyed hair on their passport picture.
How do I style short hair for a passport photo?
There are no strict rules about hairstyles. As long as all facial features are visible, you can style your hair as you prefer.
The best hairstyle for passport photos-closing thoughts
There may be many concerns regarding the allowed hairstyles for passport photos. Some people raise the point that in passport photographs, it only makes sense to have your regular hairstyle, even if it does not fit with the requirements, as that is the way you are likely to look during border control.
However, it’s worth noting two important things here. First, a passport lasts 10 (ten) years, and it is quite unlikely that you’ll stick with one hairstyle for a decade. Second, it is used for identification, not presentation. It is all about the key biometric characteristics of your face, not the good-looking hairstyle.
To take passport pictures with a 100% guarantee of following the guidelines in all aspects, use Passport Photo Online, available anywhere 24/7.
Sources
- [1] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
- [2] https://tsg.phototool.state.gov/photo
Adam is an SEO & Digital PR writer with a child’s curiosity about the surrounding world. His superpower to dig out juicy facts got him citations in Forbes, Social Media Today, and 90+ other news outlets. Adam enjoys snapping pictures and won the national Huawei Next Image Award.
