Can you wear AirPods or headphones in a passport photo?

No. Headphones, earbuds and AirPods are not allowed in a US passport photo, and forgetting a wireless earbud is a genuinely common rejection reason for selfie-style photos. Take them out before you shoot. The exception is medically necessary hearing aids, which are permitted.

Check your United States passport photo against the official spec → Free check, accepted-or-money-back.

Why this rejection happens so often

People take passport photos with a phone while an earbud is still in. It is small, skin-adjacent, and easy to miss on the preview, but reviewers look for exactly this. Check both ears in the shot before you submit.

The related rules

Nothing else on or over the head either: no hats, no sunglasses, no glasses at all since 2016 without a medical statement. Religious head coverings worn daily are the exception, with the full face visible.

Frequently asked questions

My photo was rejected for an earbud I forgot. Do I have to start over?

You need a new compliant photo, but not a new application in most cases; respond to the rejection notice with a corrected photo. Check the new one against the spec before resubmitting.

Are hearing aids treated like headphones?

No. Hearing aids and similar assistive devices you wear daily are allowed. Audio accessories are not.