EasyIDPhoto

Can you wear glasses in a passport photo?

For US passports, the answer is no, with one narrow medical exception.

The rule

The State Department's manual (8 FAM 402.1) says eyeglasses are not acceptable unless they cannot be removed for medical reasons, for example after recent eye surgery when the glasses protect the eyes. In those rare cases you need a statement signed by a medical professional, and:

  • The frames must not cover your eyes.
  • There must be no glare on the lenses that hides your eyes.
  • There must be no shadows or refraction from the glasses over your eyes.
  • Dark or tinted lenses are allowed only if the medical statement says they are required.

Glasses worn for fashion, or simply because you usually wear them, don't qualify. Take them off for the photo.

Other countries

Most countries now ask you to remove glasses, because reflections and frames interfere with face matching. Check the requirement for your document on its photo requirements page.

Taking the photo without glasses

  • Remove them just before the shot.
  • If you can't see the screen, have someone else take it from about 4 feet away, or use a 10-second timer.
  • Upload to the US passport photo tool. It sizes and centers your head, replaces the background and checks framing and lighting. It can't tell whether you're wearing glasses, so remove them before the shot.
Can I wear glasses in my US passport photo?+

No, not in normal circumstances. Eyeglasses are only accepted when they can't be removed for medical reasons, such as after eye surgery, and you provide a statement signed by a medical professional.

Can I wear contact lenses?+

Yes. Contact lenses aren't visible as glasses. If you wear coloured cosmetic contacts, the application should still list your natural eye color.

What if I can't see without my glasses?+

Have someone else take the photo, or use a timer. You only need to take the glasses off for the moment the photo is taken.

Are glasses allowed in a US visa photo?+

The US visa photo rules also ask you to remove glasses, except for documented medical reasons.

Source: US Department of State, Foreign Affairs Manual 8 FAM 402.1. Rules can change; check the official page before you apply.

More guides