Can You Change Your Passport Photo?

Despite what anybody says, we’d all like to look at our best in a passport photo. After all, it’s going to stay on our document for up to 10 (ten) years, and we have to show it to plenty of people any time we travel.

Customs officers from all over the world might view it at some point — do you really want a mediocre version of your face to be looked at all around the globe? So, the question is: can you change your passport photo before it expires?

When can you change your passport photo?

Nowadays, people can alter their appearance drastically and permanently in a relatively short time. All over the world plastic surgery clinics literally redesign faces by giving their patients the type of nose, lips, cheekbones, jaw, or eyelids they’ve always dreamed of. And just like that, from one day to another, they look like a completely different person. But does this have some kind of repercussions on document pictures, such as a passport photo?

Well, you’ve probably guessed it — such drastic and immediate changes in appearance call for a new passport photo. However, you cannot change only the existing passport photo, after a significant change of appearance you need to get a new passport.

So, here are all the circumstances that require a new passport application with an updated picture :

• gender transition;
• significant facial trauma and/or had reconstructive facial surgery;
• having added or removed a large number of facial piercings or tattoos;
• significant weight gain or loss.

Simply put — anything that has significantly altered your appearance will require you to change the photo on your passport. Your picture must reflect your current look as much as possible.

In any of these circumstances, it’s necessary to apply for passport renewal to have a valid travel document.

When can’t you change passport photo?

While the previously mentioned changes are obviously considerable and have a great impact on the identification process, there are also other, more trivial changes that don’t require a new photo on your passport. The U.S. Department of State does not deem minor changes, such as growing or losing facial hair, getting or losing small tattoos or piercings, gaining or losing a little weight, or changing the color and/or length of your hair, to warrant replacing your photo.

It’s also not possible to simply request to change the photo of your current passport. Until the document reaches 6 (six) months from the expiration date, it can’t be renewed.

Take a new passport photo with Passport Photo Online

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Here’s how it works:

• Your photo gets adapted to the dimension required by passport offices and the background gets removed. You’ll be able to take pictures anywhere you want.
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Change passport photo: FAQ

In this section, we will answer a couple of questions about changing the photo on your passport.

Can you change passport photo before it expires?

Apart from passport renewals, the only cases in which you have to get a new passport photo are:

• significant facial surgery or trauma;
• a gender transition;
• a substantial change in weight;
• the addition or removal of large or numerous facial piercings of tattoos.

Can you change your passport photo anytime?

No, if the passport holder’s appearance hasn’t significantly changed, the photo on the document will stay the same until renewal.

Can I change my passport photo — wrapping up

Changing passport photos is mandatory if your appearance has changed, because of significant facial surgery, a change in gender identity, or adding or removing a large number of tattoos on your face, among other reasons. Since you cannot change your passport photo anytime, if none of the above apply, you have to wait for your passport to expire if you wish to replace your photo.

To get new photos for your passport looking at your best and following the instructions given by the State Department, use Passport Photo Online.