UPDATE 2/14/12:

Got my Intl DL today, so I have a photo taken today and then the photo from my passport taken the Spring 2010.

Would like to hear if you think if the pictures are similar enough or if they look like 2 different people. I tried to insert them up above, but that didn't happen. Look at the pictures below.

Ok, so I renewed my passport in the Spring of 2010. I actually gained the last 50 or 60# in 2011, but was still probably around 220 or so at the time of my passport renewal.

I'm leaving for Europe March 23rd. I just learned in the past couple of days that the Passport Agency suggests getting your passport updated if there is significant weight loss/ gain from your picture or you may be denied access into that country if they think its not you. This freaks me out. I don't think I look all that different than my picture except that my face is much thinner. My hair color / style is the same (they say that isn't supposed to matter).

What got me started thinking about this is that I renewed my D.L. last October and a clerk requested to see my ID for a transaction. She looked at the photo on my D.L. and then me and said "this doesn't even look like you". Initially I was flattered, but the I started wondering if I would have problems with my passport.

I asked my friend that lives in Germany what she thought and she thinks I'm worrying about nothing, that with passports being good for 10 years that nobody ever looks exactly like their photos as they age, etc... and not to worry about this. I think she might be right, but I would be devestated if I was refused entry over this. I would think with all their high tech scanning for terrorists that they could tell on facial scanning that my bone structure would be the same as the photo.

I will also have an International D.L. that I'm going to pick up this week and will have a picture like I look like now. I realize they can't use that in lieu of my passport, but it would be an additional piece of documentation that I am who I say I am.

Anybody have any opinions on this? I will post a picture from my passport and my new photo for the Int'l D.L. to this thread and maybe get some people's opinions. I really don't want to do a new passport because I will have to pay close to $200 as it will be treated like a regular renewal, plus the expedited costs. Not something I can really afford, but I also I can't afford being denied entry either. Sigh...

Thank you. Hopefully, the younger sister LOL. It would be cutting it awfully close and if there was any hiccup at all, I would be without a passport. Plus, it's almost $200 for all the fees including getting things expedited. After having done some asking at work in dpts at where I asked people who didn't know me to give me their opinion (yes, they thought it was weird at first) and you guys giving your feedback that I think I'm going to just chance it. Most people say that my eyes definitely stand out as a confirming feature.

I'm pretty excited for the trip!

I looked at your pictures and I would say the loss is significant. Yes, they're trained to look for facial features but in my opinion, you look like you're the sister of the girl in the first picture!

If you have time and it's not too much trouble, I'd get the new passport done. If not, I wouldn't fret and I'd chance it. I sincerely doubt you'll be turned away from any country. At the worst I expect you'll have to explain that you've lost a lot of weight and show an additional ID to verify your identity.

Enjoy your trip either way, and congrats on such a great loss!

~Cheri

Thank you Nichole! :-) I think I'm going to chance it, I've gotten enough positive feedback that I look like my passport photo that I should be ok. I have my Int'l DL too, so it should be ok.

First, way to go!

I travel internationally all the time. This past fall I went to several countries in Europe and was only asked once about my significant weight loss (nearly 80 pounds). They let me in every time. I usually get compliments more than anything. Have fun on your trip!

Nichole

I can tell its you in both pictures. Your face shape is still the same only smaller. You look like the same person only the new is a smaller version. I think you will be just fine. I dont think there is a need to get a new passport. I am not going to get one and I plan on traveling next year. I think you can recognize my face despite the weightloss. Good luck and have a great time!

Thank you. I have decided to just go with it, thank you. It will be a complete blast!

I can tell its you in both pictures. Your face shape is still the same only smaller. You look like the same person only the new is a smaller version. I think you will be just fine. I dont think there is a need to get a new passport. I am not going to get one and I plan on traveling next year. I think you can recognize my face despite the weightloss. Good luck and have a great time!

I think they are fine and you will have no problem. You can tell--especially in the eyes and that it what border control will look at.

I travel monthly internationally and my weight has flunctuated 60 lbs lower and 60 lbs ABOVE my passport photo in 7 years and I have never had a problem. I was living in Europe last year and traveled frequently around the summer and back to the states and if they every do a double-take (rare) they look into my eyes and they can see it's me.

Don't sweat it!

Thank you. Hey, you might be a good one to ask this- unrelated to this thread. I'm going to be in Germany, Portugal and Italy on this trip. Do you have any suggestions on using a wireless internet card for my laptop while I'm over there? Is there such a thing as buying a Verizon card wireless card over there for Europe? I have a Verizon wireless card here that works about anywhere in the U.S. I won't be doing the typical "tourist" thing where I will be in hotels. I will be over there about 2 weeks.

Thanks.

I think they are fine and you will have no problem. You can tell--especially in the eyes and that it what border control will look at.

I travel monthly internationally and my weight has flunctuated 60 lbs lower and 60 lbs ABOVE my passport photo in 7 years and I have never had a problem. I was living in Europe last year and traveled frequently around the summer and back to the states and if they every do a double-take (rare) they look into my eyes and they can see it's me.

Don't sweat it!

Well if the Verizon card is based off of the verizon cell phone towers then NO. Verizon technology does not work in Europe - the only reason I know this is that I work in the mobile phone industry

As far as wifi--I just used what they had at the hotels or I used my phone a lot, but my company paid for that. There are free wifi spots, but not as many as you find here....sorry I couldn't help more on this.

Thank you. Hey, you might be a good one to ask this- unrelated to this thread. I'm going to be in Germany, Portugal and Italy on this trip. Do you have any suggestions on using a wireless internet card for my laptop while I'm over there? Is there such a thing as buying a Verizon card wireless card over there for Europe? I have a Verizon wireless card here that works about anywhere in the U.S. I won't be doing the typical "tourist" thing where I will be in hotels. I will be over there about 2 weeks.

Thanks.

Well, hopefully when you say Verizon doesn't work in Europe, you are referring to just the wireless card. I have a Blackberry with an International Calling plan through my company and they said I will have coverage using it while I am there. Are they mistaken?

Well if the Verizon card is based off of the verizon cell phone towers then NO. Verizon technology does not work in Europe - the only reason I know this is that I work in the mobile phone industry

As far as wifi--I just used what they had at the hotels or I used my phone a lot, but my company paid for that. There are free wifi spots, but not as many as you find here....sorry I couldn't help more on this.