Is My Recent Gray Hair a Problem Because My Photo Differs?

Question & AnswerQuestion: Although I am not too old, I have loss some hair and have prematurely gray hair. My passport photo differs because it is from 8 years ago when neither of the above were true. I am not totally bald and lots of younger guys shave their heads completely. So, I am unsure if this is important. Do I need a new passport photo?

Answer: The rules regarding photos is quite straight forward. It should clearly represent you with no significant differences. Of course, that is where the law gets a bit fuzzy since all immigration officers understand that a passport has a fairly long life and natural changes do occur. Sometimes, if you shave your head immigration will ask for a current passport which will require that you renew earlier than you would otherwise. However, it does not sound like you have this issue. It sounds like you look older than your age. Appearance is always a consideration when using your passport.

You must decide if you think your passport photo differs “significantly” where you will clearly look different than the photo. You can find good examples of acceptable passport photos here. Major changes in looks such as the bald young people you describe probably do need to renew their passports and update their photos.

If you have a question and want to be 100% safe, you can go to a regional office and speak to a representative who can advise you. Given your specific appearance change. A list of the regional offices can be found here.

You may find our article on passport photos helpful in this section.

 

 

1 10 Things to Do When You Have a Sudden Travel Plan?
4 4 Year Old Traveling to Canada. What will I need in order to take my son to Canada for the wedding?
5 5 Years Passport - Why was my son’s passport only issued for 5 years?
6 6 Year Old Passport Issued To Minor. Should I renew it before going to Canada?
A Acceptance Facilities - Is there any way that I can get a list of Passport Application Acceptance Facilities?
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  Add Pages - How can I add pages to a passport?
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B Best Mailing Option - What is the best mailing option for my passport?
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  Can a minor passport be mark before traveling without written consent?
  Can a Minor Return to the U.S. Without a Passport?
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  Can You Travel With an Expired Passport?
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D Denied Passport Due to Child Support
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  Do I need a to get a passport?
  Do I Need to Apply for a Passport in the State of My Birth?
  Do we need a notarized consent document for my grandson to travel to Canada with us?
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  Do You Need a Passport To Go To Canada?
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  Do You Need a Passport to Go to Mexico? [2024]
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  Do You Need Original Birth Certificate for Passport?
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  Does REAL ID Replace Passport for International Travel?
  Does the expiration date on a renewed passport start on the day the old passport expires?
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E Electronic Passport - Is an Electronic Passport Safe to use?
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  Expiration of U.S. Passport and Term of Use
  Expired in China - How Could I get My Passport Renew in China?
F Family With Child Traveling to Mexico. Will we need a passport for our son to re-enter the United States?
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  FNU - My passport book came back with FNU on it. What does FNU mean?
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  Form I-20 - What is the purpose of I-20 form and what is it used for?
  Foster Parents Child changing his name on his passport and other legal identification and documents.
  Found Passport - What to do when you find a passport?
  Found Passport that was Reported Lost. Who Should I Notify?
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G Getting uneasy about timing since I travel in two weeks.
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  Going to Mexico for Vacation. How Do I get a Passport?
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H How can I find my passport number?
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  How Can I Renew My Passport with New Married Name?
  How Can I Replace My Lost Documents For International Travel?
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  How do I obtain a passport for my child born overseas?
  How do I Transfer Indian Visa from Old to New Passport?
  How does U.S. Passport Help Guide works?
  How fast can I get a passport and what must I do?
  How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport?
  How Long Is a Minor Passport Valid?
  How Many Blank Pages Can I Travel With?
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  How to Change my Misspelled name on Passport?
  How to Change Name on Passport after Getting Married?
  How to Get a Passport Abroad?
  How to Get a Passport for Children in Foster Care?
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I I 94 - I forget to hand in my I 94 form when I left the United States: What should I do?
  I Am Confused About My Passport Expiration Date
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  I Sent in My Supporting Documents to Get My Child Passport. But Now I Need Her Birth Certificate. How Long It Take to Get it Returned?
  I was denied a passport because of child support. What would be the best route to take to get a passport?
  I was paying child support and now it is over. When will be the earliest after paying child support arrears be that I can apply for a passport?
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  Is it possible to call and pay to speed up the processing cycle?
  Is it Possible to Travel Internationally Without a Passport?
  Is My Recent Gray Hair a Problem Because My Photo Differs?
  Is There a Limit for a Child Passport?
  Is There an e-Passport for the USA?
J Jamaica Travel Authorization
L L-1 Blanket Visa - Why am I paying for fraud and prevention fees?
  Looking to Get a Passport with Driving Violations, can I?
  Lost My Paperwork For Divorce. How Should I use Maiden Name on Passport Form?
M Maiden Name Differs From Passport Name. How do I Get a Fix It?
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  Mail passport to relatives for help with getting my visas. Can I do this?
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  Must I name my destinations on my passport application?
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  My passport is lost while on vacation, what to do?
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  My Photo is Dreadful. It's Really a Bad Photo.
  My sixteen year old daughter passport needs to be renew, does she re-apply as an adult?
  My Son is turning 16 and needs a passport, what must I do?
  My Son is turning 18 in June and his passport has been expired for a year now. What is procedure for renewing?
N Need one part of my name change on my passport, how to?
O Old Passport Book - After renewing my passport will I be able to keep my old passport book?
P Parent of Minors Need To Renew Passport. What forms do I need to process?
  Passport Acceptance Facilities - Where to Find Passport Acceptance Facilities?
  Passport Age Requirements - Is there a passport age requirement for a child?
  Passport and child support issues are stopping me from traveling
  Passport and child support issues. Will I get my money back because I was turned down?
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  Passport Card Laws
  Passport Card vs Passport Book: Which one to choose?
  Passport issued abroad may be process faster than in the US.
  Passport Issues Related to Child Support in Excess of 2500 dollars.
  Passport name - Applying for a passport without a legally changed name
  Passport name - Will issues arise if my US and Canadian passports have different names?
  Passport Photographs - Where can the rules that apply to passport photographs found?
  Passport Submission Appointment - What is the purpose of a passport submission Appointment?
  Passport will expire very soon, will I be able to use my existing passport number?
  Passport Would Expire While Abroad. How do I Renew a Passport Abroad?
  Photo Background - What Background Should I Use for My Photo?
  Processing Documents - How do I know where are my processing documents?
R Radio Frequency Identifications in Passports (RFID)
  Regarding my supporting documents, what do I need?
  Regulations regarding stays of more than 90 days.
  Renew Passport - Need to renew passport while deployed
  Renew Your Passport - My Passport expired and now how can a renew my passport?
S San Juan Passport Agency - Where to Apply for a Passport in Puerto Rico?
  Section 214B - I have been denied my visa under section 214B and I would like to know if this would be permanent.
  SEVIS System - What are the benefits to using the SEVIS system?
  Should I renew my passport which expires soon? I am overseas and visiting home shortly.
  Should I Wait Until My Passport Expires to Renew It?
  Sign the Passport Application - Does my minor sign the passport application or do I?
  Spain Transit Visa
  Strong Ties - As an applicant, I was asked to provide 'strong ties' and I am not too sure what this means. What is considered a strong tie?
  Submit My Information for a Lost U.S. Passport. My Supporting Documents Were Not Returned?
  Supporting documentations required - Will I need my birth certificate to obtain a passport?
T Things to Know About the Chip in Your Passport?
  Travel Destinations Question on Application
  Travel Frequently Need to Get a Quick Passport?
  Travel Requirements For Children Traveling With Parents. Do my children need to get passports?
  Travel To Mexico - Do I Need a Passport for Travel to Mexico?
  Traveling outside the U.S. in less than 2 weeks and must obtain a passport urgently.
  Traveling to Canada With Child Support Arrears Judgement
  Traveling to Europe for Extended Stay. Do I need Any Form of Authorization?
  Traveling With a Young Child. Wife and I Traveling To Mexico With 6 Year Old.
U US Citizen - Is there a certain time limit before I can apply for a U.S. passport?
  US Passport - Is it true that my passport is only valid for 5 years?
  Use of service companies to help with the application.
V V2-How do I change my name on my passport?
  V2-How reliable they is the chip in an electronic passport?
  V2-How safe is my electronic passport?
  V2-Is it safe to travel with a passport card?
  V2-Should I get a passport book or a passport card?
  V2-What are the fees for a passport?
  V2-What are the requirements for a minor's passport?
  V2-Where can I find information about Passports?
  Valid Time Frame - What Is The Valid Time Frame For Child's Passport?
  Validity Guidelines - Can I travel with my passport if it has less than 8 months on it?
  Validity on the Passport - What is the validity of my passport if it was given to me at 19?
  Various Documents Required For Passport application
  Visa Expires - Am I allowed to be in the US if my Visa expires?
  Visa vs. Passport: What is the Difference?
  Visa Waiver Program - What is the Visa Waiver Program?
W Waiver Program - Is there any way to qualify for the visa waiver program?
  What are Italy Student Visa Requirements? (Process & Cost)
  What are the Benefits if I Obtain a Second Passport?
  What Are the Different Types of Passports in the United States?
  What are the ESTA Rules When Traveling to The United States?
  What are the Passport Photo Requirements to Get a U.S. Passport?
  What are the rules and fees for expedited passport service?
  What are the rules governing getting a passport under emergency conditions?
  What do I do if the regional passport office is far away from where I live?
  What Do You Do if You Lose Your Passport?
  What Document are Considered to be a WHTI Documents?
  What Documents is Needed to show Proof of Emergency Travel?
  What exactly is a certificate of birth ?
  What Happens if You Change Your Name?
  What Happens if Your Passport Gets Stolen on a Trip?
  What Happens If Your Passport Photo Is Rejected?
  What is a Burroughs Visa?
  What is a Diplomatic Passport?
  What is a K-1 Visa?
  What is a Military or Official Duty Passport?
  What is a Passport?
  What is an Acceptable Birth Certificate for Passport?
  What Is an Electronic Passport?
  What Is Dual Citizenship? Does the United States Allow It?
  What Is The Difference Between An Embassy vs. a Consulate
  What is the Differences Between Passport Book vs Passport Card?
  What is The Easiest Way to Replace a Lost Passport?
  What is the Process of Obtaining a Passport Card for Travel Between U.S. and Canada?
  What is the Quickest Way to get my Current Passport Renewed?
  What is the quickest way to obtain a passport for my daughter?
  What is the US Tourist Visa Duration?
  What Kind of Visa to Visit India?
  What Proof of United States Citizenship I Would Need to Obtain a U.S. Passport?
  What Supporting Documents are Needed for a Passport Name Change?
  What Supporting documents are needed for a passport renewal?
  What To Do if You Run Out of Passport Pages?
  What to Keep When Traveling Abroad?
  What Travel Documents Required for Bermuda?
  What's the Difference Between a Passport and a Visa?
  When applying for my passport, do I need to bring a copy of my social security card?
  Where Can I Find a Passport Offices?
  Where Can I Get a Professional Passport Photo Taken?
  Where can I go to Apply for a Passport While Traveling In United States?
  Where Can I Travel With a Passport Card?
  Where to Apply - Where Should I Apply for a U.S. Passport?
  Where to Apply for a Passport in Philadelphia?
  Where to apply for a passport?
  While in Mexico My Passport Expired. How Should I Renew My Passport in Mexico?
  Who should sign a consent form when minors are traveling?
  Who Signs Inside a Child's Passport?
  Why Was I Charged an Execution Fee for My Passport?
  Will I be Able to Come Back to the U.S. with 3 Months Validation Period on My Passport?
  Will I Be Able To Travel On The Day That My United States Passport Expires?
  Will I be Able to Travel to Canada without an Effective Passport?
  Will I be able to use my military passport for vacation?
  Will I Get My Old Passport Back When I Renew?
  Will I have to get a child passport photo sent to me in the U.S. from where she currently is?
  Will I need my Father Consent to get a Passport?
  Work Visa - What are the criteria for a family member to sponsor a relative overseas for a work visa?
  Would I be Able to Keep Passport Stamps on My Passport?
  Would I be Able to Travel to London With Passport Card?
  Would I be Able to Travel with an Expired U.S. Passport To Nicaragua?
  Would I Get Back My Son's Passport?
  My daughter was born while I was traveling overseas in Russia. How do I deal with her passports requirements?