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Can you wear glasses in a US passport photo?

No. Take your glasses off. The State Department allows an exception only if you cannot remove them for medical reasons.

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The rule

  • Take off eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses. Do not rest them on your head.
  • If you cannot remove them for medical reasons, send a signed note from your doctor with the application.
  • Online renewal: if you wear glasses, remove them and take the photo without them. Remove any ID badge or lanyard too.
  • Visa photos: eyeglasses are no longer allowed in new photos except in rare cases where they cannot be removed for medical reasons, with a signed medical statement. The frames must not cover the eyes and there must be no glare, shadow or refraction over them.

Why people get this wrong

  • An old photo of you in glasses does not count as a loophole. Take a new one.
  • Glare on the lenses hides the eyes even if the frames are thin.
  • Pushing glasses up on your head is also listed as unacceptable.
  • Tinted prescription lenses count as tinted glasses.

Take it without glasses

Take your glasses off a minute before the photo so the pad marks fade. Look at the lens, eyes wide open. If you cannot see the camera, have a helper hold it at eye level.

Upload the shot to Framefare. It flags glasses and sunglasses in the free preview, so you can retake before paying $2.49.

Common questions

Can I wear glasses in a passport photo if I always wear them?

No. Daily use is not an exception. Only a medical reason with a signed doctor’s note is.

Are sunglasses or tinted glasses allowed?

No.

What about a hearing aid?

The visa photo rules say a hearing device or similar article you normally wear may be worn.

What if my glasses cannot be removed?

Include a signed note from your doctor with the application. For visas, include a signed medical statement.

Sources

Rules checked October 21, 2026. Framefare is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State, USCIS or any government agency, and cannot guarantee that your photo is accepted.

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