A passport is crucial for every traveler and there are often a lot of things you have to take note of in its application or renewal. Perhaps now you have prepared a perfect photo for your passport application. But at this moment here comes another problem: how to staple the passport photo to your application? It is just a small detail but would affect whether you can eventually obtain a valid passport or not.
To help you make clear how to staple your passport photo, this article is going to focus on some relevant essential knowledge. Let’s take a look!
Can You Staple Your Passport Photo to an Application Form
Of course, the answer is yes, you can staple your passport photo to your application form. Actually, it is mandatory in many countries in the process of applying for a passport, for example, the US. If you don’t do so, it is quite possible that your application will be rejected and you will have to send it back again with the right documents.
How do You Staple Your Passport Photo in a Correct Way
If you do need to staple your photo to the passport application, here are the steps that you can follow to accomplish it correctly:
1. Ensure that your photo is in the right size.
2. If required, write down your name and passport application number on the back of your photo or mark it to match the application.
3. Place the photo on the top of the photo square on the application form.
4. Now you can choose one of the following two ways to affix your photo to the form:
- Attach the picture to the four corners of the square with four staples carefully so that staple it vertically. The staples should be closer to the outer edges of your photo as much as possible and not cover its center. In other words, the staples should be placed as far away as possible from the applicant’s face.
- Use glue or other adhesive products to paste the picture onto the square neatly. Please notice that the glue does not spill or stain the form and the information.
5. Double-check if your picture is secured to your application form.
Tips for Stapling Your Passport Photo to an Application
Although attaching your passport photo to the application form is not a difficult and complicated job, there are still some things you need to pay attention to. Below are the tips for placing a passport photo summarized in this section:
Tip 1. Double-check in advance whether your passport photo meets the requirements issued by the local passport authority. If your photo fails to do that, your application form will be rejected even if you have stapled the picture perfectly. The requirements for the passport photos vary with different countries and regions, but they generally include:
- Your photo should be not older than six months. You should provide your recent photo.
- Your photo should be taken in front of a white or off-white background and thus not to wear clothes in similar colors.
- Ensure nothing obscures your face in the photo, such as your hair, glasses, hat, head coverings, and excessive accessories.
- You should look straight toward the camera, keep your eyes open and have no exaggerated expression.
- Wear daily, normal clothes.
- No heavy make-up, which will hide your facial features.
- Do not conceal the scar or mole in your face with digital technologies.
- The passport photo must be in color.
Tip 2. Do not damage or bend your photo and keep the staples neat when you staple your photo.
Tip 3. If you submit the application documents in person, you don’t have to staple your passport photo beforehand, because the official will review whether your photo satisfies the requirements or not, and affix it onto the form. Once there is something wrong with the photo, you will be asked to provide a new, compliant picture before it is stapled. On the other hand, if you are about to renew your passport and choose to do it by mail, you must staple your photo to the application form ahead of time.
Tip 4. In some countries, only one photo is required for the passport application, so there is no need to put a second unstapled photo in the envelope together.
Conclusion
After learning about the above instructions, are you more clear about how to staple your passport photo to the application form? Achieving this procedure is not as simple as we often imagine. If you fail to finish one part of the procedure, you will probably face the objection of your application. This article clearly sums up the main points of attaching the passport photo to your form. Following those instructions, you can finish each part properly and get your passport at the end successfully!
FAQs
- How many passport photos should I take for the passport application?
The number of passport photos required is up to the rules of the office authorities in your country. Generally speaking, two photos are enough for getting a passport. But it is still recommended to have a few more photos in case you need them.
- Does my passport photo have to be stapled on all sides?
Yes, your passport photo should be stapled on all sides, which is instructed by the within the photo box. If you do not do so, your application may risk rejection. However, you must be careful when stapling the photo and prevent any bending or other damage. Otherwise, your application is likely to be rejected as well because it is non-standard.
- How to ensure that my passport photo is acceptable before I staple it?
To check whether your passport photo is compliant or not, the intelligent AI-backed photo tool of AiPassportPhotos is a good option for you! It can scan the photo you upload to the website and then quickly notify you if it can be used for your passport application. What’s more, the tool will also offer you suggestions for a new, adequate passport photo.