Changes are unavoidable in life. People don’t have much control over what happens to their bodies over time. And sometimes, the changes are so evident that immigration officers take second and third looks at your passport before stamping it. Maybe you’ve gained weight, changed your hair color, or stopped wearing your contacts. And each time you travel, you notice some hesitation at immigration. Is it time you changed your photo? And if so, can you change your passport photo?
Can You Change Your Passport Photo?
You hand in recent passport photos when applying for a new passport or renewal. And these depict you in your current state. Given that adult passports remain valid for ten years, your facial structure will inevitably change. You may gain weight in your facial area, lose weight, and your bone structure becomes more evident, or even grow out your beard. As a result, you will hardly be a replica of the passport photo. And immigration authorities understand this. Thus, you do not need to change your passport photo each time you notice such natural changes.
Even so, there are two reasons you may need to change photo in passport.
1. A Voluntary Change
Can you change your passport photo before your passport expires? Yes! You may have reasons to change your picture that have nothing to do with the law. For example, you may not like the current picture and want to take a better one. Or you may have changed a lot and are tired of the skeptical looks from the immigration officers each time you get a stamp. Such reasons are valid, and you can always apply to change photo in passport. After all, there is no reason you must hold on to a document whose aesthetics do not appeal to you.
2. A Mandatory Change
While the state does not require you to change your passport photo over most natural changes, it lays down the law on some. You will need to change your passport photo if you fall under the following categories:
- You have undergone significant facial surgery: A bit of Botox will not change your facial structure. But procedures like rhinoplasties, lip fillers, and facial implants will. Thus, you must change your passport photo if you have undergone such cosmetic surgeries.
- You have gained or lost significant weight: Weight fluctuations are normal. Most people will lose and gain about ten to forty pounds within ten years. But some may lose or gain more than this within the same period. For example, someone who has lost a hundred pounds will likely not look like they did when they took their passport photo. So, if your weight gain or loss has affected your facial structure significantly, you must get a new passport photo.
- You have suffered permanent soft tissue or bone damage: Some injuries or illnesses can permanently affect the facial structure. Examples include burns, scars from falls and accidents, wounds, etc. If such scarring is permanent, the government advises that you change your passport photo.
- You have undergone gender transition processes: If you took your passport photo before undergoing gender transition procedures, you will need to retake your photo.
- You have added or removed body markings from the face or neck: Body markings include tattoos, piercings, and other semi-permanent or permanent features on the facial area. If you add or remove some, you must take a new picture to match the changes.
Generally, any changes that result in a distance difference between facial features will necessitate a new passport photo.
What About Children?
Children’s passports last about five years, and for a good reason. Children grow fast, and their physical features also change as fast. Thus, you don’t need to change their passport photos as these changes occur. Instead, you can wait until the passport validity lapses and get them other photos and passports. But if the changes result from unnatural changes, you can get them a new passport photo.
How to Change Photo in Passport
Can you change your passport photo before your next trip? Of course, you can! There are two ways how to change photo in a passport. And they all depend on why you are getting the photo change.
1) A Voluntary Change
If you’re changing your passport photo out of volution, you don’t need to apply for a new one. Instead, you can get one through a passport renewal. Here’s how it works:
- You will complete form DS-82, get two passport photos taken, and submit your most recent passport,
- Submit these to Travel Visa Pro, and our agents will review the paperwork and expedite it on your behalf.
You should get a new passport in days!
2) A Mandatory Change
If your facial structure has significantly changed, the law requires you to apply for a new passport. In this case, you will need to do the following:
- You will complete form DS-11, present yourself to an acceptance agent for verification, and sign form DS-11 in their presence,
- Submit form DS-11, proof of identification, and proof of citizenship to Travel Visa Pro. We will review the documents and submit them on your behalf.
And in just a few days, you will have a new passport photo!
Can I Retake My Passport Photo?
Whenever you apply for a new passport or passport renewal, you must submit a passport photo that matches your facial structure. Thus, if you want a new photo, the key lies in applying for a new passport or renewing your current one.
How Much to Change Passport Photo
There are two options to change your passport photo. The first is to apply for a renewal. In this case, you will be subject to passport renewal government and processing costs. The other option is to get a new passport, whose costs will hinge on the government fees and processing timelines. We offer expedited passport processing, allowing you to get a passport within days to weeks. And your choice determines the processing fee.
