Passport Photo Hair Rules: What Is Allowed

The State Department does not tell you how to style your hair. It only asks that your hair does not get in the way of seeing your face. That sounds simple, but bangs, side parts, long loose hair and big updos all cause their own problems. This guide covers the written rules and the practical ways to meet them.

The official hair rules

Three written rules matter. First, the State Department asks that your full face is in view and that you face the camera directly. Second, the Foreign Affairs Manual, used by passport specialists, says there must be no hair obscuring the eyes. Third, the manual says 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, the hairline or the composition of the photo.

The same manual lists wide headbands, scarves, bows, turbans and large skullcaps as head coverings, which are not allowed unless they are worn for religious or medical reasons.

• Hair over the eyesEyes and eyebrows must be visible

• CorrectCentred, neutral, even light

Hair do's and don'ts

Bangs, fringes and side-swept hair

Bangs are the most common hair problem. If your bangs reach your eyebrows, they are fine. If they touch your lashes or cover one eye, they need to move for the photo. You do not need to restyle your hair. A small clip or a bit of hair product to sweep the bangs to the side is enough. Do it gently so the hair still looks like your everyday style.

Side-swept hair that falls across one side of the face is a related issue. Even if your eyes are clear, a curtain of hair over a cheek hides the edge of the face, which the full-face rule asks to be in view. Tuck it behind your ear or over your shoulder.

Hair and head size

Hair also affects how your head size is measured. The rule says your head must be 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head on a 2 x 2 inch photo. The State Department's composition template for visa photos measures to the top of the hair, while its internal passport manual measures to the top of the head rather than the hairline. With very full or tall hair, those two can differ. Frame the photo so your face lands in the middle of the range, and leave a little space above your hair so nothing is cut off at the top. See our passport photo head size guide for exact numbers in inches and pixels.

Updos, braids, locs and natural hair

There is no rule against any hairstyle. Braids, locs, twists, afros, buns and ponytails are all fine. What matters is that the style does not hide the face and that the photo is framed correctly:

• Volume on top: keep the camera far enough away that the top of your hair fits inside the frame with some space above it.
• Volume at the sides: make sure the outline of your face, especially the cheeks and jaw, is still visible.
• Hair accessories: flat beads or cuffs on braids are fine. Large wraps on the head are treated as head coverings unless worn for religious or medical reasons.

Wear the style you normally wear. The passport photo should be a good likeness of you today, so a style you will not wear while traveling is not helpful.

Changing your hairstyle after the photo

You do not need a new passport because you changed your hairstyle or color. The Foreign Affairs Manual says a photo showing a change in hairstyle or facial hair from an ID document is acceptable if it is still a good likeness. A new passport is needed only for a significant change in appearance, such as major facial surgery or trauma. See the six-month and current appearance rule.

Shadows and lighting with hair

Dark, thick hair around the face can cast shadows on the forehead and cheeks, especially under overhead lights. Face a soft light source, such as a window with indirect daylight, and avoid lights directly above you. Light-colored hair against a white background can disappear at the edges; that is fine as long as the face is clear, but stand a few feet from the wall so no shadow outlines your hair. More tips in our guide to shadows in passport photos.

Getting your hair ready before the shot

A few minutes of preparation saves a retake:

• Check in a mirror at camera distance. Look straight ahead and confirm both eyes and both sides of your face are clear.
• Tame flyaways. Loose strands across the forehead or eyes catch the light and can read as covering the face.
• Use a clip you cannot see from the front. Pin bangs or side hair behind the visible outline of the head.
• Remove hair ties from the top of the head. A scrunchie on top can look like a head covering in the frame.
• Do not edit hair later. Removing stray hairs or filling in a hairline in an app is retouching, which is not allowed.

Children and babies

For young children, hair falling into the eyes is the most common hair issue. A small flat clip solves it. Large bows and decorative headbands that are popular for baby photos count as head coverings, so take them off. Babies with very little hair are no problem at all; just make sure the whole head is inside the frame. See the child passport photo guide for more.

Quick hair checklist

1. Both eyes fully visible, no strands across them.
2. Face edges visible: cheeks and jaw not covered.
3. Only flat clips, pins or thin headbands.
4. Top of the hair inside the frame with a little space above.
5. No hats, bows or wide bands unless religious or medical.

For everything else, see the full passport photo requirements or try our free passport photo checker.