How to Staple a Passport Photo — DS-82 and DS-11 Instructions

US Passport Guide · Last verified: February 2026

The instructions on the DS-82 and DS-11 forms say to "staple your photo." But there's a right way and a wrong way — and the State Department's official guidance actually says do not staple for DS-82 (renewal). Here's exactly what to do.

The key rule: tape for DS-82, staple for DS-11

DS-82 (Passport Renewal by Mail):

> "Do NOT staple your photo. Use tape or glue to attach your photo to the form."

DS-11 (New Passport Application, in-person):

> "Attach photos to your application with a paper clip. Do not staple."

In practice at acceptance facilities (post offices, clerks of court):

The acceptance agent typically staples the photo to your DS-11 for you as part of processing. You do not need to staple it yourself before your appointment.

DS-82 (Mail Renewal) — how to attach your photo

Position your photo in the designated box on the upper right corner of the DS-82 form. The box is labelled "Attach photo here."

Tape method (recommended):

Apply a small piece of clear tape to the top edge of the photo
Press the tape to the form so the photo is flat and centred in the box
Do not tape over the face — tape only the top and/or bottom edges
Do not tape so heavily that the photo can't be removed cleanly

Glue method:

Apply a thin layer of non-wrinkle glue to the back of the photo
Press flat and centre in the designated box
Allow to dry before mailing

Do not staple — the DS-82 instructions explicitly say no staples. The State Department uses machines to process mailed applications, and staples can damage processing equipment and the photo itself.

Write on the back of one photo in pencil (light pressure):

Your full name
Date of birth
Do not use pen or marker — ink bleeds through and damages the photo front

DS-11 (New Passport — In-Person) — how to handle photos

For DS-11 applications at post offices, clerks of court, or regional passport agencies:

Bring 2 photos to your appointment
Do not attach them to the form yourself — the acceptance agent will handle attachment
Paper clip is acceptable if you want to keep the photos with the form before your appointment
Do not staple yourself

The acceptance agent will:

Review your photos for compliance
Attach them to your application
Complete the form verification

What happens if you staple

If you staple your DS-82 by mistake:

The processing machine may damage the photo when extracting it
You may receive a request to resubmit with a new photo
It will not automatically cause rejection, but it may delay processing

If you've already stapled: carefully remove the staple, flatten any bent corners, and use tape instead. If the photo is damaged, use a new one.

How to write on the back of your passport photo

For DS-82 renewals, you must lightly write your full name and date of birth on the back of one photo:

Use a pencil — never pen or marker
Press very lightly — pen pressure can leave indentations visible from the front of the photo
Write in the lower half of the photo back — away from the face area on the front
Write legibly but don't press hard

How to attach a photo for DS-82 mailing

After attaching the photo to your form:

Place the completed DS-82 flat in a stiff envelope (do not fold)
If mailing the form, use a flat mailer or stiff envelope to prevent photo bending in transit
Place the form photo-side facing up in the envelope for best protection

Paper forms in 2026: fewer, but not zero

Some consulates still want physical photos stapled per diagram—even when you uploaded digitally. Carry dry staples; bent tines tear emulsion.

Glue vs staple

Unless instructions explicitly allow glue dots, assume metal fasteners only. Rubber cement bleeds through thin photo paper.

Official U.S. passport photo rules are summarized on travel.state.gov. Biometric framing for many countries aligns with ICAO Doc 9303.

Embassy-specific diagrams

Some Schengen forms want staples only outside the chin oval—photocopy the diagram before punching so you do not guess under stress.

Digital backups

After stapling, scan the packet at300 DPI for your records—without altering the photo pixels for resubmission.

ICAO Doc 9303.

Final checklist before you pay or upload

Compare numeric head height and eye line against the official PDF for your document—not a blog screenshot from last year. This page focuses on Stapling passport photos to paper forms; requirements drift quietly when embassies refresh forms. Rename exports with today’s date so you do not accidentally resubmit an older crop during a stressful deadline.

Archival hygiene

Keep the untouched camera original in one folder and the portal-ready JPEG in another. If an embassy requests a re-upload, you want the same geometry, not a panicked re-crop that shifts chin position.

Official references

ICAO Doc 9303 · travel.state.gov · GOV.UK photos · USCIS photos

Frequently asked questions

Do I staple my passport photo to the application?

For DS-82 (mail renewal): do not staple — use tape or glue. For DS-11 (new passport, in-person): the acceptance agent attaches the photo; you do not need to staple it yourself beforehand.

Can I use a paper clip to attach my passport photo?

For DS-11 in-person applications: yes, you can paper clip photos to the form temporarily before your appointment. Do not paper clip for DS-82 mail applications — tape or glue only.

Which side of the photo goes up when I tape it to the DS-82?

Photo faces up (your face is visible). The form has a designated photo box — place the photo in this box with your face visible from the front.

What should I write on the back of my passport photo?

Your full name and date of birth. Use a pencil and write very lightly to avoid impressions on the front of the photo.

Can I use regular tape to attach my passport photo?

Yes — clear tape works fine. Apply tape to the edges of the photo only, not across your face.