Is That You on Your Passport?

You consider yourself as a trend setter and a fashionista because you follow the latest trend and wear something fashionable every single time. However, there is one thing hidden in your closet that you cannot let anyone to see and that is your passport.

Does this horror story sound familiar to you? If it is, then you are not alone. Many people often hide their passports because of their hideous photos which could have been because of a severe haircut, it looks like a celebrity mug shot gone wrong or worst, it makes you look like an angry zombie.

For whatever reason, your passport photo really looks bad or doesn’t resemble you anymore. Maybe you and your friends have had a few laughs but what if you happen to be traveling and that border agents see that your photo and your current appearance are no longer the same? What do you think they will do?

Based on reports, most checkers in the customs will just probably:

• Do a double take and examine you closely
• Will ask for another identification showing an updated photo
• Ask you what happened
• Congratulate you on your recent weight loss
• Give you advice to try something better next time

According to the Department of State, if there are significant changes in your passport, this could be just because of the length of validity time. Passports are okay to use for ten years and these changes cannot be controlled.

There is no need to renew your passport just because your photo has changed. Agents and customs officers are taught to look at the basic facial characteristics when trying to identify if the person carrying the passport and the person on the photo are the same. It can be the eye color, moles, birth marks, scars and any other marks that are uniquely yours.

The only time customs or agents will as you to have your passport renewed is when they see a truly drastic change like:

• Facial reconstructive surgery
• Plastic or cosmetic surgery
• Trauma
• Gender change
• Extreme weight loss
• Additional piercing or tattoo on the facial area

Always renew your passport, even if its still valid, if significant changes have been done or you can no longer see yourself in the photo. Maybe getting your a Rite Aide passport photo will be of help because professionally-taken photos often come out beautiful so it’ll give a hassle-free, delay-free passport renewal or application.

If you become haunted by the thought of looking dreadful on your passport, then it’s better to think that at least you still are allowed to look nice or friendly on your picture. Many countries forbid their citizens to smile or grin in front of the camera for their passport photos.

Canadians are not allowed to smile, grin or look friendly in their photographs. British Englishmen are also asked to always look as natural with their mouths closed, no teeth should be seen. If their photos have any signs of grinning, raised eyebrows, frowning or a smirk, then they will be asked to repeat the said photo.

At least Americans are given the opportunity to lighten up the mood, probably most Department of State employees also depict a bit of humor which is evident on their website when they try to make the public listen to their ‘dos and don’ts of passport photos’.