Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 15:51:03 GMT
How closely do they look at the photo on your passport? Or more accurately, how closely do they hold you to it?
Given that they are good for 10 years, I imagine most peoples' looks change somewhat during that period. I got my passport just before I stopped coloring my hair, so my passport photo is one with dark hair. The style is still fairly similar, as is my appearance in other ways (weight, glasses, etc.)
My passport doesn't expire until 2019 and I really hate to go to the expense of getting a new one, especially since we don't have any travel scheduled (but I also don't want to end up with a problem if a quick trip suddenly presents itself)
Has anyone had an issue where they questioned if your passport was actually yours because of a change in appearance? |
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gloryjoy
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by gloryjoy on Aug 13, 2014 15:52:33 GMT
Never had a problem with our pictures. And our pictures look we are on the run.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 15:52:47 GMT
Hair color is not going to be an issue at all. I constantly change mine and sometimes drastic. Never had an issue.
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,580
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Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Aug 13, 2014 15:54:26 GMT
DS just came back from Canada, where he dyed his hair pink. No issues.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 15:55:21 GMT
Good to know. Somewhere along the line I read something about it potentially being a problem, and I could just picture myself getting stuck somewhere trying to sort the whole thing out.
But you are right - people change hair color all the time.
And Gloryjoy - doesn't everyone look like they are on the run in their photo, given that they won't even let you crack the tiniest of a smile?
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Post by lesleyanne on Aug 13, 2014 15:58:23 GMT
No issues. I've had glasses/no glasses, vastly different hair but never had a border agency even do a double take.
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gloryjoy
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,332
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Post by gloryjoy on Aug 13, 2014 15:59:03 GMT
My last picture wasn't so bad. I wasn't smiling but it didn't look as bad as this recent one. Worst part is my new passport, which I just renewed in May, is good for 10 years. So I am stuck with this picture for 10 years.
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Post by gar on Aug 13, 2014 15:59:47 GMT
We haven't ever had a problem. I imagine the officials are trained to look at eyes etc...things that don't change so much...especially when you consider things like the change in children during their teen years for example.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 16:00:45 GMT
I've lost 75 pounds since my passport was issued. In ten trips to the Caribbean, it's never come up.
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,580
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Aug 13, 2014 16:01:31 GMT
For laughs, here's my "don't smile" passport photo:  |
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Post by ChicagoKTS on Aug 13, 2014 16:02:57 GMT
It depends on the airport but for the most part, it's not a big issue. The photo I had before my latest renewal was horrible. I could have qualified for one of those websites that posts really awful mug shots. I only had two times where the agents really scrutinized me. One was in the US but the guy thought it was funny (me, not so much) and once in Frankfurt where I swear the guy was a leftover from the Nazis. He stared at me with cold blue eyes for at least a full minute while I stared straight back at him until he just grunted and let me through. Generally speaking, I find Heathrow to be most difficult airport to go through. Last time, they took their own photo of each person upon entering passport control. Then when going to board our next flight, security had trouble getting the face recognition image scanner to bring-up my photo. It finally worked. I think it was my glasses that confused the system.
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Post by ChicagoKTS on Aug 13, 2014 16:05:49 GMT
For laughs, here's my "don't smile" passport photo: "Orange is the new Black"? |
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TXMary
Pearl Clutcher
And so many nights I just dream of the ocean. God, I wish I was sailin' again.
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Post by TXMary on Aug 13, 2014 16:10:16 GMT
I just had to renew ours because they were expiring. My last one is awful- my hair was very thick and full and wild. I had to use my passport when I was bald from chemo. I was just wearing a ball cap over my very bald head. I looked very different from my pic. No problem at all. He was very kind about it.
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,818
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Aug 13, 2014 16:15:50 GMT
I've had this picture for about 8 years now, and I really haven't changed much. However, I have noticed that when I am in an airport south of the border, my passport is scrutinized a little more, but I get hardly a glance when I'm in the US.
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Post by beachbum on Aug 13, 2014 16:19:46 GMT
My passport picture has very short spiked hair. Now I'm about 30 pounds lighter, hair is long and a different color. They look twice but haven't had a problem
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Post by padresfan619 on Aug 13, 2014 16:23:38 GMT
I had a little difficulty coming back into the US from Mexico after my last cruise. This was back when I was 17. I had gotten my original passport when I was 13 and went through A LOT of changes (hair color, braces, etc) The border agent definitely questioned me a lot more than anyone else in my party. I had to verify my address about 16 times.
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Post by jmurray on Aug 13, 2014 16:24:06 GMT
I've had 3 different hair colours with the one passport over 10 years and never had an issue with it. Not to metion not looking anything like the photo by the time it was 9 years old! Also, the technology they use these days when scanning the passports looks more at specific facial features so hair colour doesn't factor into it at all. The newer bio passports don't even need someone to look at them - you just scan the passport (the photo page) at a kiosk, look up at a camera and then it lets you walk straight through - I love it, the queues move so much faster.
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Post by tania7424 on Aug 13, 2014 16:40:38 GMT
Mine looks like Lindsay Lohan's mugshot. I had a cold. Red nose and everything. And my hair is dark, I'm a good 30lbs heavier. No problem.
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Post by sillyrabbit on Aug 13, 2014 16:48:14 GMT
For laughs, here's my "don't smile" passport photo: You are a brave woman to post that. It's actually not too bad other than the bitchy resting face.  |
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Post by *christine* on Aug 13, 2014 16:52:58 GMT
I don't think mine looks anything like me because they make you take your glasses off for the picture and I never take my glasses off because I can't see a freaking thing! My eyes look shifty because I can't figure out where to look.
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Post by *christine* on Aug 13, 2014 16:54:32 GMT
For laughs, here's my "don't smile" passport photo: You are a brave woman to post that. It's actually not too bad other than the bitchy resting face. I don't think it looks bad at all, but I wouldn't pick it out as you based on your avatar here. and I would have denied that you had bitchy resting face like you said the other day, until I saw this photo.  |
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Deleted
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Oct 9, 2024 4:26:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 16:55:51 GMT
I don't think mine looks anything like me because they make you take your glasses off for the picture and I never take my glasses off because I can't see a freaking thing! My eyes look shifty because I can't figure out where to look. That's strange. You can have your glasses on as long as there is no glare. Says so right on the passport website. My dh has his on in his photo. |
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Post by miominmio on Aug 13, 2014 17:00:15 GMT
I don't think mine looks anything like me because they make you take your glasses off for the picture and I never take my glasses off because I can't see a freaking thing! My eyes look shifty because I can't figure out where to look. That's strange. You can have your glasses on as long as there is no glare. Says so right on the passport website. My dh has his on in his photo. I renewed mine a few weeks ago, and wasn't allowed to wear my glasses. |
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Deleted
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Oct 9, 2024 4:26:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 17:02:56 GMT
How closely do they look at the photo on your passport? Or more accurately, how closely do they hold you to it?
Given that they are good for 10 years, I imagine most peoples' looks change somewhat during that period. I got my passport just before I stopped coloring my hair, so my passport photo is one with dark hair. The style is still fairly similar, as is my appearance in other ways (weight, glasses, etc.)
My passport doesn't expire until 2019 and I really hate to go to the expense of getting a new one, especially since we don't have any travel scheduled (but I also don't want to end up with a problem if a quick trip suddenly presents itself)
Has anyone had an issue where they questioned if your passport was actually yours because of a change in appearance? I have to replace mine every five years, and yes, I frequently am asked why I look so different than in my passport photo. I'm extremely thin and have short, dark hair in my passport photo, and I've been questioned about it when pregnant and after having a baby and overweight, and when I coloured my hair blonde, and when it was long and dark again. These are all at US/Canada border crossings by car, going into the US. |
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Deleted
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Oct 9, 2024 4:26:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 17:03:05 GMT
That's strange. You can have your glasses on as long as there is no glare. Says so right on the passport website. My dh has his on in his photo. I renewed mine a few weeks ago, and wasn't allowed to wear my glasses. It says right on the US passport website it is allowed. So strange. |
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Post by miominmio on Aug 13, 2014 17:06:02 GMT
I renewed mine a few weeks ago, and wasn't allowed to wear my glasses. It says right on the US passport website it is allowed. So strange. I'm in Norway, so perhaps it's different here? |
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Deleted
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Oct 9, 2024 4:26:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 17:06:43 GMT
It says right on the US passport website it is allowed. So strange. I'm in Norway, so perhaps it's different here? Ahhh perhaps. |
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Post by manda on Aug 13, 2014 17:09:28 GMT
I love my passport photo, but every time I pass through customs in any country, I get more questions about the fact I have four names (adopted and kept birth name as a second middle name) and am not married. Quite certain that distracts them from my actual picture.
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gloryjoy
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,332
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Post by gloryjoy on Aug 13, 2014 17:11:37 GMT
For laughs, here's my "don't smile" passport photo: In Canada our passport pictures are black and white, interesting that your picture is colored.
And that is way better than my picture. If my picture looked that good I would post it . |
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Post by bc2ca on Aug 13, 2014 17:39:07 GMT
My US passport was issued this spring and I wore glasses and smiled (no teeth showing, but definitely a smile). DH said they would never accept it, but they did. When coming back into the US recently, the agent held the passport at arms length and had us stand in front of him one at a time, so he could really compare the photos to our faces. We do a lot of cross border travel and this is the first time I have seen that very deliberate kind of check. It wasn't just us, so I wonder if it is a new protocol or training? I did have an agent comment on a hairstyle change once which I thought was pretty funny |
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