Digital Passport Picture

[Stmar]

This one is way off topic. Has anyone done a Passport Renewal online with a digital photo that you took with a smart phone? It sounds simple but I wanted to get some real world reaction. I keep wondering about how to get it to be a 2"x2" size or does that really not matter when doing it digitally? Do they size it and all you do is attach a picture jpeg file? Happy New Year, haven't had to use the tractor much this winter, don't know if that is good or bad.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

this is experience from Canada during COVID when gov't was "working from home" so for what its worth I tried it 3x and failed all times ( had to renew wifes and mine as they expired then I had mine stolen shortly aftwards and had to replace)
All 3 times they found reason to complain and reject.
Ended up paying the $10 at Costco to get it done.
Thats my experience but must work for most as they have offered it for a long time in these parts.

 

[William1]

This one is way off topic. Has anyone done a Passport Renewal online with a digital photo that you took with a smart phone? It sounds simple but I wanted to get some real world reaction. I keep wondering about how to get it to be a 2"x2" size or does that really not matter when doing it digitally? Do they size it and all you do is attach a picture jpeg file? Happy New Year, haven't had to use the tractor much this winter, don't know if that is good or bad.

Never done it but.... I am pretty computer savvy. I imagine they compare it to you existing passport image.
A computer compares the two. If a digital 'match, they accept it. Then it is a simple matter to crop and resize. If you had a beard and shaved it off, they will not accept it, ditto with glasses (or no glasses).
Make sure you do not have anything behind you that might be embarrassing...... Blank wall.

 

[McMXi]

This one is way off topic. Has anyone done a Passport Renewal online with a digital photo that you took with a smart phone? It sounds simple but I wanted to get some real world reaction. I keep wondering about how to get it to be a 2"x2" size or does that really not matter when doing it digitally? Do they size it and all you do is attach a picture jpeg file? Happy New Year, haven't had to use the tractor much this winter, don't know if that is good or bad.

Yes, and getting the lighting correct was the biggest challenge. When I renewed my British passport, there was an app (via a link) I had to use to upload a photo. It was very particular about the image having enough definition via sufficient lighting and an appropriate background. It took me a few attempts before the app approved the image for uploading.

I need to check on when my US passport expires but I think it's next year, and I'll most likely do it at a local post office so they'll take care of the photo (I think).

 

[Blue2Orange]

Haven't done. But the online renewal option has a "photo composition template" that sets the parameters required. Possible option. Most USPS Offices I think still take passport images.

 

[JimDeL]

...Most USPS Offices I think still take passport images.

AAA does it for free if you're a member. US$10.00 if non-member.

 

[Blue2Orange]

Just checked and it looks like most USPS offices still take passport images. Last renewal was back in '19 or '20 and added the US Passport Card. I don't have an enhanced driver's license. Sits in the wallet so I don't forget it when traveling by airliner. Card works at TSA. Might work if crossing the Mexican or Canadian border. $130 for Passport renewal. $30 for Card. The bugger is I haven't traveled out of the USA since pre-Covid. Might have a totally blank passport if needing to renew ever again. At least the Card gets used.

 

[Stmar]

Haven't done. But the online renewal option has a "photo composition template" that sets the parameters required. Possible option. Most USPS Offices I think still take passport images.

I had checked Post Office and they will not do "renewals" only first time applications. In the past they did all of it but changed recently. It should be simple, but we are dealing with government, the way they are pushing online renewals. I have some time so will play with it and see what happens. Got this online when I checked:
" You can't renew a U.S. passport at the post office in the same way you apply for a first-time passport; renewals are typically done by mail or online "

 

[Kennyd4110]

Yes, I just my did my passport renewal two months ago. Very easy process.

 

[Blue2Orange]

I had checked Post Office and they will not do "renewals" only first time applications. In the past they did all of it but changed recently. It should be simple, but we are dealing with government, the way they are pushing online renewals. I have some time so will play with it and see what happens. Got this online when I checked:
" You can't renew a U.S. passport at the post office in the same way you apply for a first-time passport; renewals are typically done by mail or online "

Thanks for the update. Up here the USPS is stressed relative to inadequate staffing. Sort of makes sense to reduce their workload and focus on mail delivery. Use to be our rural mail deliver arrived at a similar time each day. Now.... Anytime from 0900 to real late. At least it's a nice half kilometer walk sometimes a few times a day to get the mail.

 

[McMXi]

Everything you need to know to renew a US passport. The second link provides lots of information re the photo that's required.

Renew an adult passport | USAGov

Find out if you can renew your passport or if you have to get a new one. Learn how to renew your passport by mail, online, or in person in an emergency.

www.usa.gov

U.S. Passport Photos

Learn how to submit a quality passport photo if you are applying in person or renewing by mail.

travel.state.gov

 

[Stmar]

Yes, I just my did my passport renewal two months ago. Very easy process.

I actually bought some of your hooks a few years ago, still working as advertised.
Did you take your picture with a smart phone, if so did you have to do anything to get it the correct size or did the renewal application handle that when you attached the file? I think I understand the parameters of how to take the kind of shot they want, just have trouble wrapping my head around downloading the pic file.

 

[armylifer]

I actually just applied for my passport renewal yesterday. I used my smartphone to take my selfie and I did not have a problem. The first photo that I took was rejected but the second one that I took was acceptable. When you upload your picture online the picture is either accepted or rejected automatically. Just be sure that you are using a white background that has no texture and that there are no shadows in your photograph. The process is straight forward. If you have a 20 minute lapse where you did not respond in the application it will time out and you have to start all over again. Just be sure that you take several photos of yourself just in case one gets rejected.

 

[McMXi]

Online application and digital photo requirements are all here.

Renew Your Passport Online

This page includes information about online passport renewal, and instructions to complete your application. This is the only official page to renew your U.S. passport online.

travel.state.gov

Uploading a Digital Photo

How to upload a digital photo when renewing your U.S. passport online.

travel.state.gov

 

[Stmar]

Thanks for all the responses, appreciate the input.

 

[Kennyd4110]

I actually bought some of your hooks a few years ago, still working as advertised.

Thanks!

Did you take your picture with a smart phone, if so did you have to do anything to get it the correct size or did the renewal application handle that when you attached the file?

Yes.
No I did not have to do anything special, it does it for you. You even crop it on their site.

 

[McMXi]

I got my US passport out of the safe this morning for an upcoming trip since I don't have a driver's license that qualifies as a real ID yet. The passport expires in June of this year so I'll be going through the online passport renewal process soon as well.

 

[armylifer]

I got my US passport out of the safe this morning for an upcoming trip since I don't have a driver's license that qualifies as a real ID yet. The passport expires in June of this year so I'll be going through the online passport renewal process soon as well.

You may want to do that very soon. Some Countries do not accept passports that expire within 6 months. Also, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to get your new passport in the mail. If you apply online, your current passport is voided immediately, regardless of the expiration date so if you plan to travel before next June, you may want to plan accordingly.

 

[McMXi]

You may want to do that very soon. Some Countries do not accept passports that expire within 6 months. Also, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to get your new passport in the mail. If you apply online, your current passport is voided immediately, regardless of the expiration date so if you plan to travel before next June, you may want to plan accordingly.

I have a British passport that's good until 2032 so no problems with having a real ID for travel, but I will submit the renewal when I'm back in a couple of weeks.