Can You Reuse Passport Photos?

Many times, when we send in a passport application, we find ourselves with extra photos that we really don’t know how to use and they just end up collecting dust in a drawer.

If you read the requirements of any passport agency, the issue is generally not addressed directly, so, in most cases, we just end up taking a new photo, without getting an answer.

But, can you reuse a passport photo or not?

Keep reading, in the next few paragraphs we will go over everything you need to know about reusing your own passport photos.

Passport photo in 3s!

Take a photo with your smartphone, upload it to the website, we will convert it to an official passport photo and send you a digital or printed version. Simple? You can’t get more convenient than that!

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When can’t you reuse a passport photo?

To understand in which cases a passport picture might still be valid, we need to go over some of the passport photo requirements given by the US Department of State.

First of all, you are not allowed to present photos that are older than 6 months, so, if you still have the photos of your old expired passport, you won’t be able to use them, since they will be around 10 (ten) years old.

Another thing to bear in mind is that a passport photo needs to reflect your current look and, in some cases, you are to change the picture on your valid passport. 

According to the Department of State, it’s necessary to change your passport photo – even if taken recently – in the following cases:

• Significant facial surgery or trauma.
• You’ve removed or added large face tattoos or piercings.
• You’ve gained or lost a large amount of weight.
• You’ve undergone a gender transition.

If any of these cases apply to you, you will need to get a new passport photo, even if the one you have is no older than 6 (six) months. 

To make this change, you will also need a signed doctor’s statement.

Minor changes don’t affect the validity of the picture, so there will be no need to change your passport photo if you just got a haircut.

Another thing to keep in mind, when it comes to printed pictures, is the state of the photo itself. If it has a mark, a crease, or any other kind of damage, it will not be valid for a passport application. After some time, even glossy photo quality paper starts to take damage.

We also have more in-depth articles if you are interested in passport photos:

When can you reuse a passport photo?

If the photo is still in good condition and reflects your current look, there is really only one case in which it will be accepted for a passport a second time.

If your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged, you need to apply for a replacement. If your document was issued less than 6 months ago, you will be able to use the same photos again, without taking new ones.

In any other eventuality, the authorities will not accept your picture, since it will not be compliant with the passport photo requirements.

What else can you do with a passport photo?

So, does this mean that extra passport photos are completely useless?

Well, no, they still have some other uses for which you might want to keep them.

First of all, you might be able to use them for a variety of different documents, such as a driver’s license, an ID card, a visa, or a police report.

If it’s your child’s passport photo, you might not be able to use it as easily if they grew significantly after the picture was taken.

They can also prove useful for less official documents, such as a school ID. Even if they don’t have such strict requirements, a photo fit for a passport will definitely be good enough.

Another good idea is to use them on luggage tags when you travel, if it gets misplaced, you will have a surefire way to prove the ownership of the bag.

Passport Photo Online

If you need new pictures to renew your passport, with Passport Photo Online you can take them at home! You just need an Android or iOS device!

Pose for the photo in front of a window to ensure the best lighting and follow the guidelines.

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Once you take the picture, you can download it right away or have it printed by us. We will ship it to you right away! Passport Photo Online is the fastest and cheapest way to get your passport photos.

Reusing passport photos – conclusion

So, while you might not be able to use the same photo to reapply for your passport, there are some ways in which they could still be useful to you.

If you store them in a small plastic bag, they will remain intact for a long time, and you can use them if the need arises.

To be safe, bring the extra photos with you when you travel, if you need to reapply for a lost document, you won’t lose time getting new ones.

In conclusion, we can say that it’s not worth going out of your way to get additional passport photos but, if it happens, it can be a good idea to save them.

FAQ

Sources

• [1] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html

Karolina Turowska

Karolina Turowska, a biometric photography expert and travel enthusiast at Passport-Photo.Online. When it comes to writing, she loves bringing dry facts to life. When it comes to traveling, she just loves bikes.