Changing Picture on Passport
 

I have a fairly new passport and hate the picture on it. I have also changed my hair style significantly and would like a more recent attractive picture. Can I update the photograph without getting a new passport? What is the cost?

My picture is ghastly as well. You know the old saying of course... if you look anything like your passport photo, you are too sick to travel! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

I guess you could 'lose' your passport?


http://travel.state.gov/lost_stolen.html

and get a new one?

You should be able to get a new passport issued (after surrendering the old one) if you make a claim of "substantial change of appearance" since the first one was issued. I know this works in India and Canada, so I would assume a similar situation exists in the US. I know someone (a Sikh) who did this after he gave up wearing a turban and went cleanshaven instead - he had to get a notarized affidavit that he was changing his appearance and that he was the same person. They then cancel the old passport and issue you a new one with the same validity after paying the appropriate fee.

Very bad advice, "lost" passports are put on watch lists which might mean you yourself have all kinds of notes in the system. B747's advice is best, get a new one.

As for "updating" the photo, what exactly did you have in mind? These passports are made to prevent fraud so I have no idea how you could expect to be able to change the photo.

I agree with the perils of falsely claiming that your passport is lost. You may even need a police report. Filing a false police report is a serious offence.

Remember Martha Stewart. She committed a felony to cover-up a misdemeanor crime. if she confessed, nothing would have happened. After all, she got the tip from the broker (which is also suspect), not the Imclone CEO. She thought she gained $60K, but now faces huge legal costs, fines, and even jail is not off the table.

An alternative to requesting a new picture is to request a replacement for a damaged passport. One woman I know was broke a bottle of wine inside her bag which ruined her clothes inside and ruined her passport, which had some nice passport stamps. I think years ago, a high school student got another driver's license because he forgot to empty his pants before washing it.

I have to agree with ScottC -- reporting a lost passport that isn't lost means that maybe you could 'do jail time' or 'pay a fine.'

Sorry for this bad advice, agree it's bad.

In this case you might visit the nearest Post Office, or other location, that staffs a passport office. There you could ask the passport agent what they might recommend?

http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/

Only gov't officials see the passport. Why go through the hassle which people described above of getting a new one. It isn't like you are going to give copies of it to your loved ones to put in their wallets so just keep what you have and travel to your heart's content. Live with the ugly mug shot. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

For some reason, my passport picture was really quite the headshot (literally of my head)-- much larger than life. At the time, my hair was longer and my glasses had not entered the dot.communist era.

The nice immigration inspectors always do a doubletake when they see my passport.

I definitely advise against losing your passport, let them do a double take and scrutinize you, at least then you can think they are doing a good job.

lala

A good reason is if the current photo doesn't resemble what you look like now. Getting a recent photo that looks more like you isn't only "nice", it's a requirement.

I think I am just going to leave it alone. It is a bad picture and I have changed but it isn't so bad that you wouldn't recognize me.

From the initial thread, I read that prncess674 has a much more attractive look now than when she did prior to having her hair done. She didn't say it changed her looks radically so that nobody would recognize her. So I don't see where the requirement is. To undergo getting a new passport just to have a cuter shot really isn't worth it. Again, nobody cares what your passport or driver's license pictures look like. They are all mug shots unfortunately.

Just dazzle them at customs with your great new 'do, prncess674! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Analise (edited 07-25-2003).]

Good for you. That's what I thought---you can be recognized; you just want it to be a better picture. You'll just wow them with your new look. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

For US passports, why did you give them a bad photo in the first place? ;-) [Oh, you applied before your new look.]