Passport photo, was told I have to cover my shoulders & upper arms...

[bellebud]

Just went to Walgreens to have my passport photo taken. Was wearing a sleeveless shirt (not spaghetti strap, just sleeveless). Employee told me the regulations are that I had to be wearing a shirt that covers all of the shoulder an upper arm. (I bought a cheap t-shirt there for the photo).

She didn't know the reason for this, we were both laughing about it, but said she believes it started recently.

I can't find anything definitive on google. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[SouloTravlr]

According to the official gov site, she's wrong.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/photos.html

 

[gillep]

I am filing my passport renewal now and none of the information regarding the photo requirements states that you need a shirt that covers your shoulders and upper arms, so if it is a new requirement they have not updated their materials, how annoying.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

According to the official gov site, she's wrong.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/photos.html

Not only that but look at this example photo where they give the ok on it:



The example photo is about background but the woman has her shoulders bare. I would hope if the intent was to show it was ok they wouldn't show a feature (meaning bare shoulder) that was not ok.

OP---that person has incorrect information to the best of my knowledge. When I got a new passport in May (to change to my married name) the rules did not state something regarding bare shoulders and they don't now when you look at the website this poster pasted in. Honestly, if you're up for the hassle I would call (or next time you're in person) that Walgreens location and let the manager know. I would hate for that employee to be turning people away for no reason. I would think if it was recent the official government owned website would have the updated information.

**As a random note I ended up going to Costco to get my photo and I got 4 photos for $4.99+tax when Walgreens and CVS were a lot more for less photos-just in case you have a Costco membership and a location near you.

 

[longboard55]

If they do not like you photo, they have no problem rejecting it. I would not waste time taking chances

 

[bellebud]

Not only that but look at this example photo where they give the ok on it:

View attachment 334519

The example photo is about background but the woman has her shoulders bare. I would hope if the intent was to show it was ok they wouldn't show a feature (meaning bare shoulder) that was not ok.

The employee also said the shirt cannot be white. lol, so weird!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

If they do not like you photo, they have no problem rejecting it. I would not waste time taking chances

What chance was the person taking? There are no rules listed on the website regarding bare shoulders nor color of your shirt (there is for background of the photo).

 

[jormom1030]

I know that China has really cracked down on Visa photos. Maybe she recently got yelled at because someone's Visa picture got rejected so she is applying those rules to all pictures.

 

[quandrea]

I think it might have something to do with contrast. When I took my baby for her photo, she was dressed in white. I needed to put her in a bright sleeper so that there was contrast between her face, the background and her clothing. I bought a new sleeper.

 

[Chernabog#1fan]

Just went to Walgreens to have my passport photo taken. Was wearing a sleeveless shirt (not spaghetti strap, just sleeveless). Employee told me the regulations are that I had to be wearing a shirt that covers all of the shoulder an upper arm. (I bought a cheap t-shirt there for the photo).

She didn't know the reason for this, we were both laughing about it, but said she believes it started recently.

I can't find anything definitive on google. Anyone know anything about this?

Maybe it is Walgreens way of selling more shirts. They said there was a problem with my son’s shirt yet there wasn’t we ended up finding out. I mean this more as a joke, but there might be something to it!

 

[bcla]

They've changed the rules over the years. Right now they're saying no glasses, but before glasses were supposed to be worn if normally worn. And they were pain to deal with since most photos use a flash. They had all sorts of recommendations to do things like point down a bit so the flash wouldn't bounce right back.

I also remember when they said no brand name logos although I can't find that now. I asked about my kid's shirt (it had a generic number on the front) and I received a response from the State Dept that it was OK. I also rotated it a little bit since my kid was leaning to one side, but I don't believe that's necessarily considered digital alteration.

 

[Patience]

I had new passport photos made at Walgreens in January. The lady taking my photo would not let me show my teeth when I smiled and she insisted that the photo had to show my ears so she tucked my hair behind my ears. The travel gov site states that you can show your teeth as long as your smile is a natural one and it says absolutely nothing about showing your ears! How odd that Walgreens is telling people these things.

 

[leebee]

I think the passport picture places are being overly-cautious. At some point in the recent past, most of the things mentioned here were part of the requirements (just from my memory- I've had 3 passports and so have my family members, not all renewing at the same time). I'd rather just follow instructions than take the chance of having my photo rejected and having to start the process over each time.

 

[Imzadi]

Employee told me the regulations are that I had to be wearing a shirt that covers all of the shoulder an upper arm. (I bought a cheap t-shirt there for the photo).

She didn't know the reason for this, we were both laughing about it, but said she believes it started recently.

Actually, I seem to recall something like those rules. So, it maybe a very old rule from before HD cameras and auto-focus.

 

[cabanafrau]

Those are the rules I remember when we last got our passports, which I believe need renewing next year.

 

[laughinplace199]

We got our passport photos at Walgreen's two couple of years ago. We were told not to smile (which I've also heard at AAA), so that might be a real rule. One of my kids wears glasses and he was told to keep them on for the picture. When we brought the photos to the Post Office with our passport applications, they said that the photo of my son wearing glasses might be rejected because of the glare and the fact that he's a kid (they said that the Passport dept can be picky about kids' photos). We had a few months before the trip, so we were ok with giving it a try and resubmitting with a new picture if rejected, but it was approved.

 

[aprilgail]

We got our passport photos at Walgreen's two couple of years ago. We were told not to smile (which I've also heard at AAA), so that might be a real rule. One of my kids wears glasses and he was told to keep them on for the picture. When we brought the photos to the Post Office with our passport applications, they said that the photo of my son wearing glasses might be rejected because of the glare and the fact that he's a kid (they said that the Passport dept can be picky about kids' photos). We had a few months before the trip, so we were ok with giving it a try and resubmitting with a new picture if rejected, but it was approved.

Had mine done at the post office last month where you submit the passport paperwork and they told me I could smile- just not a giant laughing type smile but you could smile-and my ears stayed covered by my hair-they did not make me show my ears.

 

[longboard55]

We got our passport photos at Walgreen's two couple of years ago. We were told not to smile (which I've also heard at AAA), so that might be a real rule. One of my kids wears glasses and he was told to keep them on for the picture. When we brought the photos to the Post Office with our passport applications, they said that the photo of my son wearing glasses might be rejected because of the glare and the fact that he's a kid (they said that the Passport dept can be picky about kids' photos). We had a few months before the trip, so we were ok with giving it a try and resubmitting with a new picture if rejected, but it was approved.

That is what I am saying, Immigration is not customer service oriented, when we renewed last time, half the people were being sent home for one thing or another. Go early and follow the rules

 

[bcla]

That is what I am saying, Immigration is not customer service oriented, when we renewed last time, half the people were being sent home for one thing or another. Go early and follow the rules

Passports have always been through the State Dept. Most people receiving/renewing passports don't even meet a State Dept employee. It's usually done through an intermediary such as a post office or a government office of some kind. The State Dept only handles direct service if someone has an expedited request or on special "passport days". But if it's rejected, it's done by someone at the office who never saw the applicant. I do understand that "acceptance facilities" will often tell someone that a photo isn't going to work, but they're not the final judge.

I've helped friend dealing with INS (now USCIS) and they were often a huge pain to deal with. They used to have a really annoying photo requirement for a "3/4 profile" rather than the State Dept's straight on requirement. Apparently it was tough finding someone who was able to do that style compared to passport style.

https://www.aila.org/infonet/uscis-to-change-to-passport-style-photographs

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

I work at an office that regularly does passport photos, these are the main things we tell people:
You can smile, as long as it's natural...some people scrunch their eyes when they smile and they want to see your eyes
No glasses...so they can see eyes
It's RECOMMENDED that you don't wear white because it can blend with the background, but we still take it
Hair should be brushed out of the face and eyes