NCLEX paperwork

I finished my program on September 1, 2016 and about a week after we finished is when all of the paperwork for our boards were sent to the state to be reviewed (TN). I ran into a few problems with getting my paperwork to the school at the appropriate time due to moving back home (2 hours away) and a medical issue. However, the other day I drove two hours to the school to turn in the rest of my documents only to receive and email telling me that my "passport" photo had to have a white border around it to sign my name, AND that I needed to submit a formal letter to the board apologizing and explaining why there was a delay in the submission of my paperwork (1 month). I find this to be a little excessive, am I wrong? I called the board to ask about the photo to which I was told was fine as it was, but was told to call back Monday about my question of needing to write a letter. She also told me my paperwork was more than likely out of date now. It's been four weeks???

Just wondering if someone can give me insight to this, or if my school is just giving me (yet again) loopholes to jump through.