Signing of new passport photos?

by Kay
(Dothan, AL USA)

Question: Thought I was all ready to have the branch post office mail my packet of information which includes following: filled out application form, cheque for fees to Dept. of State, current passport (no name change) which expires at end of January, new picture made to specification.

Then, I noticed on Walgreen's folder for pictures their instructions which mentioned signing the picture only in front of processing official. My branch post office confirmed these instructions, which means I have to go to downtown main office to sign back of new picture before mailing.

Maybe I missed it, but this is the first I have seen about signing the pictures. Please advise if this is a new procedure not yet mentioned in online sites?

Answer: The Department of State does not list the signing of photos as a requirement for getting a new passport. We have heard of acceptance agents saying that they, the AA, needed to sign the back of the photo, but not the applicant.

There are so many little things like this out there that someone told someone to do but virtually none of them are true. As far as we know, it is not necessary to sign the back of your passport photos.