8 FAM 402
Biometrics
8 FAM 402.1
Passport Photographs
(CT:CITZ-112; 09-06-2024)
(Office of Origin: CA/PPT/S/A)
8 FAM 402.1-1 Introduction
(CT:CITZ-112; 09-06-2024)
a. This subchapter provides policy for passport photographs. It also provides policy regarding commercial photographers.
b. The Department has several goals regarding passport photographs, which may come into conflict. You must use your discretion to achieve the best possible result given these constraints:
(1) The photograph fulfills the photograph standards to the extent possible (see paragraph c below);
(2) The photograph is of sufficient resolution for facial recognition (see 8 FAM 402.2);
(3) Requesting a new photograph does not unnecessarily burden the applicant; and
(4) Requesting a new photograph does not unnecessarily depart from the Department's customer service commitments.
c. Photograph standards:
(1) 22 CFR 51.26 contains the regulatory requirements for photographs for use in U.S. passports: i.e., that they be a "good likeness" and "satisfactorily identify the applicant;"
(2) The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set, in coordination with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), international specifications for machine-readable passports, including the placement and size of the passport photograph;
(3) The ICAO standards and Department requirements are intended to ensure that the photograph adequately identifies the passport bearer and thereby prevents difficulties or delays to the bearer during their foreign travels;
(4) While the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, Public Law 108-458, and the REAL ID Act of 2005, Division B of Public Law 109-13, HR1268, do not deal with U.S. passport photographs, the Department of State digitizes passport photographs, consistent with the REAL ID standards; and
(5) Additional sources for valuable information on passport photographs:
(a) Passport photographs (available on travel.state.gov);
(b) ICAO Machine Readable Travel Document 9303; and
(c) ISO/IEC Document 39794.
d. Infants pose a particular challenge. The goal is the best likeness that can reasonably be obtained:
(1) It is acceptable if the infant's eyes, particularly a newborn's, are partially or completely closed;
(2) The infant's head may be discreetly supported, e.g., a car seat with a white or off-white blanket behind the child. Head tilt is acceptable for infants; and
(3) A parent’s face cannot be in the photograph of the infant.
e. Because minors do not typically submit identification, at the public counter you should verify with the applying parent(s)/legal guardian(s) that the biographic information matches the attached photograph to avoid accidentally switching photographs:
(1) Switched photographs sometimes occur when siblings apply at the same time. If it is obvious that the photographs for minor applicants (under age 16) were switched--based on ACRQ records, etc.--and you have both applications available, you must remove the passport applications from the batch to be re-scanned with the correct photographs. (If a photograph is switched on a form DS-11, passport specialists should also notify the customer service manager (see 8 FAM 105.3)); or
(2) If you do not have both passport applications or it is not obvious that the photographs were switched, you should suspend the passport application to request that the applicant re-execute the passport application with the correct photograph or refer the passport application to the fraud prevention unit, as appropriate.
8 FAM 402.1-2 Passport Photograph Requirements
(CT:CITZ-112; 09-06-2024)
You must request a new photograph if the photograph submitted does not meet the following requirements:
(1) The photograph must be in color;
(2) The photograph should be taken within six months of submitting the application, be a good likeness of and satisfactorily identify the applicant at the time of the application (see 22 CFR 51.26). A photograph showing a change in hairstyle or facial hair from the identification document submitted is acceptable if it still is a good likeness of the applicant;
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NOTE: Applicants may wish to re-use a passport photograph that is depicted on their submitted U.S Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization. Be aware that even if the certificate itself was recently issued, because of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services processing times, the photograph may not have been taken within six months of submitting the application. |
(3) The photograph should be 2” x 2” (about 5 cm. x 5 cm.) in overall size. For example, the following photograph is too small:
(4) The facial image should be a clear, close-up of the head and neck (which may include portions of the shoulders--the ears do not have to be visible). The facial image size should be no less than 1” (about 2.54 cm.) and no more than 1 3/8” (about 3.5 cm.), measured from the top of the head (not the hairline or the applicant's hair) to the bottom of the chin (not including facial hair). Photograph templates are available to help you determine the proper size:
(a) A smaller facial image size may make identification of the bearer difficult in addition to possibly revealing staples and borderline requirements from the passport application. If the photograph has sufficient resolution, the photograph may be re-sized in the TDIS image review module. For example, in the following photograph the facial image size is too small (also, the applicant is wearing eyeglasses):
(b) A larger facial image size may make it impossible to crop the photograph to the correct size (45 mm. x 35 mm. as per ICAO specifications) for placement in the passport (see 8 FAM 702.1-4 regarding cropping photographs). If there is sufficient room to crop the photograph appropriately, the photograph may be re-sized in the TDIS image review module. For example, in the following photograph the facial image size is too large:
(c) In some cases, a larger facial image size may cause fish-eye distortion. Fish-eye distortion is when elements in the center of the face are exaggerated in size (especially the nose) and elements on the periphery of the face (especially the ears, if visible), are diminished in size or may not be clear or fully visible. For example, in the following photograph the facial image has fish-eye distortion:
(5) Head position:
(a) The photograph must be clear with a centered, full-frontal view of the applicant’s facial image. For example, in the following photograph the facial image is off-center. The photograph should be re-cropped to center the facial image if possible, or the application suspended for a new photograph:
(b) The head should not be excessively tilted in any direction. Applicants with physical or mental disabilities, including loss of muscle control, may not be able to hold their head upright without support (see below regarding medical equipment in the background). You may accept a photograph with excessive tilt in these circumstances. Otherwise, for example, in the following photographs the applicants' heads are tilted and/or not facing forward:
(6) The photograph must be free of material damage:
(a) Material damage is any damage to the facial area that makes the photograph no longer a good likeness of the applicant (e.g., creases, large holes, and large smudges) or impedes the functioning of facial recognition (damage in the area of the eyes);
(b) Immaterial damage is any damage to the background, and non-material damage to the facial area (e.g., staple holes). Immaterial damage is acceptable;
(c) The applicant does not need to sign the photograph, as this often causes creases or smudges; and
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NOTE: For hand-carry applications, the acceptance agent signs the back of the photograph. |
(d) A photograph that appears acceptable and undamaged in the system may have a defect that is apparent when the passport is printed. Consequently, the passport application may be returned to adjudication to request a new photograph even though the photograph appeared acceptable.
8 FAM 402.1-3 Quality of Photographs
(CT:CITZ-112; 09-06-2024)
a. Brightness and contrast should accurately reproduce subject’s natural skin tones. Photographs without proper contrast and color may obscure unique facial features and cause problems in printing, resulting in off-colored facial features (purple/yellow). For example, in the following photograph the applicant's natural skin tones are not accurately reproduced:
b. Over-exposed or under-exposed photographs may not be acceptable. Photographs without proper exposure may obscure unique facial features and cause problems in printing, resulting in washed out images. For example, in the following photographs the images are over-and under-exposed (also, the individual in the first photograph is wearing eyeglasses, which is no longer acceptable):
c. The lighting should be uniform with no reflections on the face and no shadows on the face which obscure the facial features.
d. Computer-generated photographs are acceptable if the image is sharp and clear. Images composed of grain-like particles may not be acceptable. Photographs with visible pixels are not acceptable. For example, in the following photograph the image is grainy:
e. The photograph should have a plain, white, off-white, or light-colored background with no large, dark shadows, reflections, or objects in the background. For example, in the following photographs there are shadows or objects in the background:
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NOTE: Medical equipment and supports for the shoulders, back, head, and neck, including wheelchairs, may be visible in the background for applicants with medical conditions or disabilities. A medical statement by a medical professional/health practitioner may be requested in ambiguous cases using information request letter (IRL) 677-33. |
f. Photographs should be printed on photo-quality paper.
g. Digital manipulation and/or retouching of the facial image on photographs is not acceptable. The use of beauty filters or other photo filter tools from social media websites and mobile applications (also known as "apps") are also not acceptable.
h. The red-eye effect is not acceptable in passport photographs.
8 FAM 402.1-4 Attire
(CT:CITZ-112; 09-06-2024)
a. Uniforms:
(1) Photographs in which the applicant is wearing a uniform of one of the U.S. Uniformed Services (10 U.S.C. 101(a)(5)) or military/law enforcement-style clothing (which usually includes camouflage clothing) are not acceptable for regular passport books and passport cards. This policy is intended to protect the bearer from mala fide groups or individuals who may target U.S. citizens because of a real or perceived connection to U.S. or other military or law enforcement agencies.
(2) Reasonable exceptions may be made for photographs:
(a) Of children 15 years of age and younger. You should consider, however, whether the applicant could be perceived as a child soldier, bearing in mind that the United Nation's Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict has identified child soldiers as young as age five;
(b) Taken in the uniform of a civilian organization when it will aid in identification (e.g., a commercial airline pilot who will be traveling abroad in uniform); or
(c) In a style of clothing or pattern that cannot be construed as military/law-enforcement style (e.g., a camouflage headband or bib, a whimsical camouflage pattern consisting of elephants, or the like). Please note that the Next-Generation Passport is printed in black and white, so although a pink camouflage pattern, for example, would be immediately discernible in the passport photograph, it may not be on the printed passport.
(3) Although the Department has no objection, the U.S. Uniformed Services' regulations and/or policies do not permit uniforms in special-issuance passports.
b. Hair accessories, such as hair clips, bobby pins, or thin headbands, are acceptable if they lie flat on the head or hair and do not obscure any part of the face, hairline, or the composition of the photograph.
c. Hats or other head coverings, such as wide headbands, scarves, bows, turbans, and large skullcaps, are prohibited unless they are worn for medical or religious purposes:
(1) Hats or other head coverings may be acceptable if the applicant can establish that the hat or head covering is worn in connection with a sincerely held religious belief, rather than a philosophy or lifestyle, and is worn continuously in public. A signed statement from the applicant explaining the religious nature of the headwear, whether and for how long they have worn such headwear continuously in public, and how providing a photograph without headwear would substantially burden their religious exercise may be requested in ambiguous cases, e.g., the applicant's submitted documentation (ID or citizenship evidence, if applicable) does not depict the applicant in a religious hat or head covering, or the covering does not appear to be a religious attire (e.g., baseball caps and other hats or head coverings that serve a different purpose);
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NOTE: If the applicant submits an ambiguous statement regarding the religious nature of a hat or head covering, scan and e-mail the passport application and statement to AskPPTAdjudication@state.gov for a determination. (This is not a public-facing e-mail address and public inquiries will not be replied to.) |
(2) Hats or other head coverings may be acceptable if the applicant can establish that the hat or head covering is worn for medical reasons, including hair loss because of medical treatment. A medical statement signed by a medical professional/health practitioner may be required in ambiguous cases; and
(3) Hats or other head coverings permitted for religious or medical purposes must not partially or completely obscure the face, whether directly or by shadow. In addition, such hats or head coverings must be of uniform color with no pattern and no visible perforations. For example, in the following photographs the applicants' head coverings obscure the face (the chin and jaw line in the following photographs) or have a visible pattern or perforations:
d. If bandages or medical equipment, such as medical ventilator tubing and eye patches, obscure the face, a medical statement signed by a medical professional/health practitioner must be requested. Marks on the face itself caused by a medical condition (e.g., black eyes, swelling, cuts and abrasions) are acceptable--there is no requirement that the medical condition be healed prior to passport issuance.
e. Eyeglasses/contact lenses:
(1) Eyeglasses are not acceptable unless they cannot be removed for medical reasons, e.g., the applicant has recently had ocular surgery and the eyeglasses are necessary to protect the applicant’s eyes. A medical statement signed by a medical professional/health practitioner must be requested in these rare circumstances. If the eyeglasses are accepted for medical reasons:
(a) The frames of the eyeglasses must not cover the eye(s);
(b) There must not be glare on eyeglasses that obscures the eye(s);
(c) There must not be shadows or refraction from the eyeglasses that obscure the eye(s); and
(d) Dark or tinted lenses are permitted if the medical statement also indicates that they are required.
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NOTE: A limited-validity passport using endorsement 46 should be issued when the medical circumstance that requires eyeglasses is temporary and the applicant has urgent or emergency travel. |
(2) Clear contact lenses are acceptable. Other types of contact lenses, including tinted and novelty contact lenses, that do not obscure the eye, i.e., that do not make the iris appear larger or smaller, are acceptable.
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NOTE: Even if cosmetic contact lenses are normally and consistently worn, the natural eye color should be listed on form DS-11, form DS-82, and form DS-5504. |
f. If a hearing device, wig, facial ornamentation (i.e., facial piercing jewelry), or similar article does not partially or completely obscure the face, it may be worn when the photograph is taken (ICAO 9303 Section 3.9).
g. One-time facial decorations, e.g., a team logo applied at a sporting event, are not acceptable.
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NOTE: As tattoos and body modifications are permanently applied, and also aid in identification, there is no requirement that tattoos or body modifications be covered with either clothing or makeup. |
h. There must be no hair obscuring the eyes. For example, in the following photograph the applicant's hair obscures the eyes:
i. Headphones, Bluetooth devices, or other similar electronic devices must not be worn in passport photographs.
j. Except as detailed above, you may request a signed statement regarding the religious attire or medical necessity in any ambiguous cases. An example of an ambiguouscase is one in which the attire does not appear in the identification submitted with the application.
8 FAM 402.1-5 Facial Expression
(CT:CITZ-112; 09-06-2024)
a. The applicant’s expression should be natural. Normal, unexaggerated smiles are acceptable, but unusual expressions and squinting are not.
b. Applicants with physical or mental disabilities, including loss of muscle control (e.g., age-related degeneration or because of a medical condition such as Bell's Palsy), may not be able to produce a natural or unexaggerated expression. You may accept a photograph without a natural or unexaggerated expression in these circumstances. Both of the applicant’s eyes should also be visible and open in the photograph (see the exception for infants in 8 FAM 402.1-1). If the applicant is unable to open one or both eyes because of a medical condition, you may accept the photograph. In rare cases, if it is unlikely that the closed eye(s) or exaggerated expression are because of a medical condition, you should request a medical statement signed by a medical professional/health practitioner.
8 FAM 402.1-6 Religious Objections to Photograph Requirements
(CT:CITZ-14; 12-08-2018)
a. Objections to being photographed: An ICAO standard for passport photographs requires that every passport contain a full-face photograph to identify the bearer. The United States complies with this standard. You may not waive this requirement.
b. Objections to full-face photographs:
(1) You may receive requests to have passports issued with photographs that show faces completely or partially (only eye area visible) covered. However, 22 CFR 51.26 requires that the photograph be a good likeness of the applicant, and a photograph with a covered face does not meet this requirement;
(2) An applicant may have no objection to being photographed, but may request that only persons of the same sex have access to the photograph. Treat the request respectfully, but advise that it is not feasible to comply with the request; and
(3) The Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) will not write a letter stating that only officials of one sex may view the passport. Passport agencies/centers and posts may direct their questions to the Office of Adjudication at AskPPTAdjudication@state.gov.
8 FAM 402.1-7 Commercial Photographers
(CT:CITZ-61; 09-07-2021)
CA does not recommend the services of a specific commercial photographer. Passport agencies/centers and posts must not give the impression that certain photographers are preferred or certified in some way to provide acceptable photographs. You may, however, maintain lists of commercial photographers near the passport agency/center or post to provide to applicants when needed in urgent/emergency circumstances. Refer routine inquiries to the telephone directory or online directory listings of commercial photographers. To assist commercial photographers concerning the acceptability of photographs, agencies may refer commercial photographers to travel.state.gov or inform photographers of the requirements.
8 FAM 402.1-8 Procedures
(CT:CITZ-112; 09-06-2024)
a. Applications received without photographs:
(1) Processing and communications/customer service personnel at passport agencies/centers or consular section personnel should refer applications without photographs to their supervisor for guidance on processing passport applications received without photographs;
(2) You must not accept a form DS-11 or form DS-82 received without a photograph at the public counter. See 8 FAM 1001.2 regarding importing photographs for forms DS-5504;
(3) Passport specialists must suspend a form DS-11 received without a photograph from an acceptance facility. The applicant must re-execute the form DS-11 (see IRL 975-04); and
(4) Passport specialists must suspend a form DS-82 or form DS-5504 received without a photograph (see IRL 1000-05 and IRL 1018-14).
b. You must examine photographs to make sure they meet the requirements listed in this subchapter.
c. When a new photograph is received, you must compare both photographs to ensure that they both depict the same person, refer to the fraud prevention unit as appropriate (see 8 FAM 105.2):
(1) When the applicant submits an acceptable photograph in response to the IRL, passport agency/center processing or communications/customer service personnel must:
(a) Remove the unacceptable photograph from the passport application;
(b) Attach the acceptable photograph to the passport application; and
(c) Attach the unacceptable photograph to the IRL returned by the applicant (if the applicant does not return the IRL, attach the photograph to the file copy of the IRL or, if no paper IRL was sent, to the photocopy of the ID).
(2) The passport specialist must retain the IRL with the file (see 8 FAM 705.1); and
(3) If the applicant does not take any action within 90 days, the application must be denied without further action. Neither the passport execution fee nor passport application fee will be refunded. Posts should take similar action.
d. In an emergency, you may accept photographs that do not meet all the requirements outlined in this subchapter. However, such photographs must still be a clear and current representation of the applicant’s image:
(1) Passport agencies and centers must limit the validity of the passport to one year, using endorsement 46 (see 8 FAM 505.2);
(2) Posts must limit the validity of the passport to one year, using endorsement 109 (see 8 FAM 505.2);
(3) You must annotate the application to indicate why the photograph was accepted and the passport was limited in validity; and
(4) You must enclose Information Notice (IN)-941-28 to advise the applicant that the passport may be replaced with a fully valid passport without charge if an acceptable photograph is presented within a year from the issuance date of the passport.
e. During a crisis abroad, when posts are issuing emergency passports to assist citizens with evacuation, it is not unusual to find that you must accept photographs that do not meet all the criteria outlined in this subchapter. This is acceptable due to the emergency. As noted above, the passport should be limited in validity.
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CRISIS CONTINGENCY PLANS: Consular Sections are advised to make contingency plans where feasible to have equipment, camera, photograph paper, printer, etc. for use during a crisis. (See 7 FAM 1800 Consular Crisis Management). |