Passport Photos in Lafayette, Louisiana

Yes, you can take your own passport photo in Lafayette as long as it meets all federal guidelines. You can use a smartphone or digital camera, but you must have someone else take the picture since selfies are not permitted. Using a service like Perfect Passport helps ensure your homemade photo passes all State Department checks.

A U.S. passport photo must be exactly 2 by 2 inches in size. The image must be in color, printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper, and feature a plain white or off-white background. Your head must measure between 1 and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head.

No, you cannot wear glasses in your U.S. passport photo, even if you wear them daily in Lafayette. Hats and head coverings are also prohibited unless you submit a signed statement verifying they are worn daily for religious purposes or a doctor's statement for medical reasons. Even then, your full face must remain visible without shadows.

The basic size and background rules are the same for babies and young children, but the State Department is slightly more lenient about their poses. For example, an infant's eyes do not need to be entirely open, and they can be photographed lying on a plain white blanket. However, no other people, hands, or pacifiers can be visible in the photo.

Yes, you must submit a new photo when renewing your passport, whether you mail it from Lafayette or apply online. The State Department requires your passport photo to be taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance. Reusing an old photo will cause your renewal application to be delayed or rejected.

Routine passport processing currently takes about six to eight weeks from the time the State Department receives your application. Expedited service is available for an additional government fee and typically takes two to three weeks. Mailing times to and from Louisiana can add several weeks to the total turnaround time.

The closest regional agency to Lafayette is the New Orleans Passport Center, located about 135 miles east. This facility is strictly for urgent travel within 14 days or life-or-death emergencies, and you must make an appointment by phone in advance. For routine processing, you can simply use a local acceptance facility like a post office or clerk of court in Lafayette.