Passport photo rules

bestpud

For those who saw my other thread, I've arranged for someone to countersign dd(10)'s passport photo and we've got the photos.

But I've just had a panic on realising dd's hair covers one of her ears!!

She tucked both sides behind her ears but it's a bob style and one side has fallen down! It's not covering her eye at all but you definitely cannot see her one ear.

I can't find a definitive answer on this!

Do ears count as facial features?

She was 5 on her last one (both ears covered then!) and it is so obviously the same child - will that make a difference?

Got a feeling I will be back to the photo booth tomorrow! *sigh*

j.e.j.

bestpud wrote: »

Do ears count as facial features?

I don't think so, unless it's changed recently (?) You can hardly see my ears on my passport picture, my hair is almost covering them!

The picture's taken from the front view so unless someone's got ears like Martin Clunes you probably wouldn't see them that well, anyway :rotfl::rotfl:

PoorCharleyBear

the rules for under 5s are more lax, but when I took my 4.5 year old, she had to have her ears on show- we had to scrape her hair back in very unflattering way.

However the post office offers a checking service for about 7quid and this includes express posting to passport office. They will poinpoint issues before sending document away- it may save some hassle.

bestpud

Thanks both.

I think they expect you to tuck hair behind your ears but it doesn't actually say it has to be on the direct.gov website.

If I take it to the post office and they reject it, I'd need to get it countersigned again and we travel in January so time is a factor.

I can't work out of they have to see the ears for the biometric checks...

I wish they'd state clearly on the directions! They've just kind of ignored ears!

JC9297

Has someone been winding you up, I've never heard anyone suggest that you need to have your ears showing on your passport before. Surely only someone with remarkable ears would be distinguishable by them.

I renewed my passport last year and my hair totally covers my ears, as it did on my previous one, as did my long-haired son and I'd have been stunned if they'd returned the applications for not tucking our hair behind our ears.

bestpud

JC9297 wrote: »

Has someone been winding you up, I've never heard anyone suggest that you need to have your ears showing on your passport before. Surely only someone with remarkable ears would be distinguishable by them.

I renewed my passport last year and my hair totally covers my ears, as it did on my previous one, as did my long-haired son and I'd have been stunned if they'd returned the applications for not tucking our hair behind our ears.

How was your hair hanging?

DD's is straight with parting in the middle.

The right side is hanging straight down and just covers the end of her eyebrow but there is a gap between her hair and her eye, if that makes sense?

Was your (or your sons) like that?

tellmeitsfriday

I had to get my passport out to check... it's newish, I've had it about 6 months.

You can't see either of my ears in my photo - if that helps

bestpud

I've found a picture with hair falling pretty much as dd's is in the picture - one side tucked back and the other falling close to her eye:

http://www.short-haircutstyles.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/LMK-018849.jpg

Nicki

That would be fine. The rules say nothing about the ears needing to be visible and if you look at the 6 examples of acceptable photos which they give, the ears are completely covered in 3 of them.

Elle7

Mine are like that...I had a side parting, but its falling the same as your daughters, with one ear completely covered.

I didn't even think about it and got my passport fine.

bestpud

Think I'll chance it then. I was confused about the biometric part.

Thanks all!