What Happens if Your Passport Photo Gets Rejected?

Are you getting ready to apply for a new passport?

It can take up to twelve weeks to get this important travel document renewed. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you have all the documents you need ready before applying. 

One of the most important elements of the application process is the passport photo. There are exact specifications on the dimensions, background, and other elements of these photographs. 

So, let’s find out what happens if your passport photo gets rejected and how to avoid the situation in the first place.

What To Expect if Your Passport Photo is Rejected?

Very simply, when your passport photos are rejected by authorities, the application process for your passport will be suspended until you can submit a suitable photograph.

So, if that happens to you, there’s nothing else to do but get busy organizing a suitable passport photo and resubmitting it.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to avoid having your passport photos rejected. Starting with the…

Reasons Your Photographs Could Be Rejected

The information page features a current photograph of yourself, which is used for identification purposes. The photograph you submit needs to meet strict requirements so that you can be identified quickly. If your photograph is rejected, the application process will be stalled.

Although the guidelines are fairly clear, it’s also quite easy to make a mistake. Your photograph has to exactly match each of the set requirements. Even the tiniest mistake can mean you will have to retake your photograph.

Common reasons for passport photograph rejection include:

The US Department of State sets these regulations and inspects all photographs carefully. Some of the regulations are easier to understand than others. Here are some tips for how to avoid common mistakes and submit perfect passport photographs. 

Get the dimensions right

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is the incorrect placement of your head and shoulders. The whole of your head must appear in the photograph, along with the tops of your shoulders. There are also exact requirements for the position of your head.

The face size and position requirements for passport photos are:

Keep your facial expression neutral

Although it may seem natural to smile when getting your photograph taken, this will result in automatic rejection. You must look directly into the camera lens and keep your face as neutral as possible. Take care to keep your lips pressed together gently and your eyes open naturally. You also need to make sure that your head remains level with the camera. 

Other things that can lead to passport photo rejection include:

Beware of shadows

If you are taking your own photograph, you are unlikely to have access to a professional lighting rig. This type of equipment is used to eliminate shadows. Unfortunately, your photograph won’t be accepted if there are shadows behind or on you.

How to get this right?

To eliminate shadows, you should light the areas in front and behind you. Make sure you choose lights of equal wattage, so there are no background shadows. Adding lights on both sides of you will help eliminate shadows from the sides of your face.

You may need to take a couple of practice photographs before you get the lighting just right. If the photograph is too bright or too dark, you simply need to adjust the intensity of your lights. However, it may take a few attempts to capture a uniformly lit image that is completely free from shadows. 

Remove your glasses

In the past, it was permitted to wear prescription glasses in passport photographs. However, the rules have changed, and this is now a cause for rejection. This is because eyeglasses can cause glare and change the appearance of your face to a certain extent. 

This can make taking your own photographs quite tricky unless you wear corrective contact lenses. Therefore, it’s a good idea to get someone else to take the photograph for you. Just take extra care to look directly into the camera lens and avoid squinting. 

Avoid certain clothes and accessories

It is important to understand and follow the regulations regarding clothing and accessories. If you choose to wear earrings and other jewelry, it must not cover your face or cast shadows. So, it is best to opt for studs and thin necklaces if you prefer to wear jewelry. 

It is also best to choose simple clothing in a single color, if possible. Avoid a shirt with a high collar and embellishments that could cause light or shadow issues. Also, uniforms are not permitted in this type of photograph, and camouflage print is also prohibited.

Banned accessories include:

However, headgear and head coverings can be worn for medical or religious purposes. In these cases, the photograph must be accompanied by a signed statement. The statement must reflect that you regularly wear this headgear or head covering when in public. 

However, if you do wear headgear or a head covering in your photograph, it must not cast a shadow on your face. Therefore, it is important to pay extra attention to lighting. This can be very tricky, and it may be best to seek assistance from a professional.

Pay attention to color quality

Only full-color photographs will be accepted. Your photograph must not be overexposed, black and white, washed out, or dull. Instead, the photograph must accurately represent your image when seen in natural light.

Therefore, take care to make sure the photograph is not too dark or too bright. All the elements must be clearly visible and well-balanced. The quality of the ink you use when printing out the photo can also make a big difference. 

Choose the right background

Make sure you are standing in front of a plain background in a solid color. The color of the background needs to be either white or off-white. Even if you choose a solid color, backgrounds that are not white are likely to lead to photograph rejection. Once again, there must not be any shadows, textures, or blemishes of any type in the background. 

And getting the perfect passport photo of your child?

If you are doing a passport photograph for your child, the child cannot be held by a parent or guardian. And getting young children to sit still while you take the photograph can be particularly difficult.

The best option is to get the child to lie on a plain white sheet while you take the photograph from above. Take care to make sure that the dimensions and placement of the face in the photograph meet the specifications exactly. 

Avoid editing

If you are unhappy with your photograph for any reason, it’s best to take another one. Because if your photograph has been edited or retouched in any way, it could be flagged. The US Department of State does not permit digital alterations to your submitted photograph.

Prohibited filters include:

Size matters

You need to make sure that the photograph exactly matches the specified size. Even a difference of a quarter of an inch could lead to rejection. This is because the space on your identification page is very limited.

The specified size requirements are:

Consider using a professional studio

Following these tips should help make sure your passport photograph meets the guidelines. However, there is no room for error, especially if you’re in a hurry. Therefore, it’s a good idea to get your photograph taken by a professional.

Also, bear in mind that the photograph you choose will remain on display for a long time to come. And a professional photographer will help to make sure that you look your best. They will also be familiar with the set guidelines and should be able to follow them to the letter.

Now that we’ve fully answered, what happens if your passport photo gets rejected…

Are You Planning on Traveling Abroad?

If so, we have a lot of resources to assist you!

Need new passport photos in a hurry? Find out in a flash, Does Walgreens Do Passport Photos, Does CVS Take Passport Photos, Does Target Take Passport Photos, Does Costco Take Passport Photos, and also Does Walmart Take Passport Photos?

Or you might be asking, How Do You Cancel a USPS Passport Appointment, Does Airbnb Run Background Checks, and what are the Best Places to Get Money Orders Near Me? We can also answer all of your trickier questions like, Can A Felon Get A Passport in 2023?

Simply search our website for any last-minute travel queries you may have.

Right, back to today’s question…

Final Thoughts 

It’s essential to make sure the passport photos you submit follow the set guidelines. If they don’t make the grade for some reason, they will be rejected. This means that you will be forced to take new photographs and submit them again.

The application process for your United States passport will be suspended until you submit suitable photographs. This will result in extra time and trouble. If you are planning to take a vacation in the next few weeks, this mistake could make you miss your flight!

However, if you follow all of the advice in this article, you won’t need to worry about this happening.

Happy passport photo taking!