Can You Wear Glasses in a Passport Photo? Prescription or Not

Getting ready for a new passport photo with glasses on? You arrived at the right place to get the insightful info and take your perfect biometric passport picture at your first shot. What are the rules today? Can you wear glasses in a passport photo? Let’s clear that out.

Can you wear glasses in a passport picture?

If you’re an owner of a sexy pair of glasses, you probably have a current passport wearing them. Up till 2016, US citizens were allowed to have glasses in passport photos. This is an omnipresent rule that has touched upon all kinds of glasses available at people’s disposal. This includes prescription glasses in a passport photo, that is eyeglasses, transition glasses with extra sensitive qualities to help eyes adapt to different sources of light, sunglasses, and of course, any smart-looking ones for your stylish look. They are all a no-no for a passport picture.

It’s good to understand why the rule has been changed since then. So, can you wear glasses in passport photos in any circumstances at all?

Passport photo glasses or not?

The short answer is “not”. According to the passport service guide of the U.S. Department of State, you have to take your glasses off for a photo of a US passport. It doesn’t matter, whether you are visiting the nearest passport photo place or getting a photo for your document on the web. And as passport photo experts, we know it’s for a good reason – fewer passport application delays and rejections.

The downside of having glasses on is a big percentage of rejected passport applications. The objective reasons were the face of the applicant wasn’t recognizable or fully visible in a passport photo with glasses. Or the camera flash will make the snapshot partially blurred. For example, eyes.

So, yes, you have to take your nice pair of glasses off to get a passport picture done. But not to worry, it won’t take you long. By the way, it’ll be no discomfort at all if you take your pic with a passport photo tool at home in seconds. You can easily find one on the web or use PhotoBooth Online.

Passport photo with glasses or contact lens?

There are no restricting rules for wearing lenses. That said, you must not breach any other recommendations of the US passport photo rules.

For example, the lenses must not reflect the camera light and cause white spots in passport photos. This is definitely a thing and you need to look out for that. Make sure your passport photo service has no-limit attempts, is AI-backed and supervised by visual experts for your peace of mind. This way, you can get quality passport photos with glasses.

Sorted!? Not just yet. What about urgent circumstances?

Can you wear glasses in a passport photo with an exception?

There is a rule and there are nuances to it. Let’s clear them out. Until 2016, there wasn’t a need for advice on leaving on or taking off the glasses as everybody could wear glasses in a passport photo. Today, the rule is different. You can’t wear glasses in a passport photo, even if you need to put them on every day. Still, there are cases when passport photos with glasses are allowed.

Are passport photo glasses allowed after eye surgery?

In extraordinary cases, when a person has undergone eye medical procedures or cannot take glasses off for a photo session for medical reasons, wearing glasses is allowed in passport photos. In these rare circumstances, a person should provide a signed doctor’s statement. The same is applicable to minors.

When government officials examine a passport application, they take into consideration the documents attached concerning the necessity of wearing glasses for a passport picture.

Please make sure your photo service will provide you with a passport photo with glasses and no glare or red-eye effect as it needs to be compliant and follow the official criteria. Being cautious will save you a lot of time and stress of retaking a pic and reapplying with your passport application.

Can you wear glasses in passport photos: sum-up

TLDR: There is a set of criteria one should follow in order to get a valid passport photo: hair, jewelry, what to wear for a passport photo, etc. Usually, passport photos with glasses are not allowed. Rare cases do take place for documented medical reasons. To be on the safe side, get a gist of all the essential information and follow the U.S. passport photo guidelines that advise you to take off your glasses in a passport photo.

FAQ

Can You Wear Glasses in a Passport Photo?

Generally, you are not allowed to put on anything that obstructs your face visibility for passport officials and customs officers. Glasses are one of these accessories you should take off for a few moments of your passport photo shoot.

Why can’t you wear glasses in a passport photo?

The glare from the glasses can cause a bad-quality image. That could result in rejection when you submit your passport application.

Can you wear prescription glasses in passport photos?

You can not wear style glasses, prescription glasses, tinted or sunglasses in a passport picture. Such photos won’t be accepted by the passport office.

Passport picture with glasses

In special circumstances, one can wear glasses in a passport photo. That is when you cannot take them off for a passport photo shoot and you have a signed statement from an eye doctor.

Passport photos glasses on or off

You should not have your glasses in a passport pic. Just take them off for a few seconds.

Do you wear glasses for passport photos?

As of 2016, US citizens are not allowed to wear glasses in a new passport photo, including non-prescription and prescription glasses, sunnies, or tinted glasses.