Passport question... (LOL)

[bitlerzx4]

Okay so this is our 1st time using passports. DH has had one for years. His is my concern. When his picture was taken he was 80lbs heavier, with glasses and hair. He now looks so different... do you think it is going to cause a problem?

When we went to get the rest of the family theirs today, the lady at the post office kept saying do you have a picture ID from prior to getting your passport that you could show... Um no.


Help & thanks in advance.

 

[neg58]

He'll be fine. A 2 year old who gets a passport doesn't look the same at 5, but the passport is still good. People change their hair, even the color, and there isn't a problem.

If he has a driver's license with the same name, take it along. The more documents that agree with the name better.

Nancy

 

[bitlerzx4]

Okay thank you. He isn't worried, just me.

 

[bumbershoot]

I cut a foot off my hair and lost 60+ lbs since my passport photo and they didn't even blink at cruise checkin.

 

[Meghatron]

My daughter is about to turn four and her passport picture is from when she was three months old. We've used it on two cruises and multiple airport and customs checkpoints. No issues.

 

[bitlerzx4]

awesome.

 

[Woodmnky]

While he is probably fine, check out the Passport FAQ page - the last question addresses this issue:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/photofaq/photofaq_5291.html

With children they automatically assume that they will have aged appropriately from their pic.

 

[lanejudy]

Officially they can refuse to accept it if his appearance has changed so significantly that the Passport picture does not look like him. I would think he'd be OK, but the combination of factors - no glasses, less hair and lost weight - could cause the agent to look more closely.

From the State Dept. website:

Change of Appearance
Your passport may not be accepted at the border if your appearance has changed significantly or if you cannot be identified from the photo in your current passport.

If you cannot be identified from your current passport photo, you should apply for a new passport, even if your old one has not yet expired (appropriate fees required).

You may have to apply for a new passport if, from the time of your last passport photo, you have:

•Undergone significant facial surgery or trauma
•Added or removed numerous/large facial piercings or tattoos
•Undergone a significant amount of weight loss or gain
•Made a gender transition
If you feel that you can still be identified from the photo in your current passport, you do not need to apply for a new passport. For example, growing a beard or coloring your hair would not constitute a significant change.

If the appearance of your child under the age of 16 has changed due to the normal aging process, you do not need to apply for a new passport for him or her.

 

[Msmit002]

Well, yeah.... They say if your appearance has changed drastically, you should get a new one.

However... DH had gastric bypass surgery oh...2 years after his last passport was issued. 150lbs lighter he used that thing until we turned it in this month for renewal. Nobody ever batted an eye and he uses it for travel, on average, every 15 days - domestic and international.

O.K., I just asked and he said only once did he get looked at funny. It was at SeaTac airport a few years ago and he just explained that he had gastric bypass and they let him through.