Yes, you can smile in a passport photo, but your eyes must be open and your mouth closed.
What does this mean exactly?
In this article, I’ll show you examples of acceptable passport photo smiles and explain what happens if you fail to meet the requirements.
Let’s dive in.
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Why Can’t You Smile in US Passport Photos?
Or, to be more exact, why can’t you show teeth in a passport photo? Smiling can distort your features, making it difficult for facial recognition software to do its job. So, you can smile. But not however you like.
A spokesman for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Denis Chagnon, explained it in more detail in this CBS News interview about the new passport photo smile rule.
In short, smiling or squinting your eyes reduces the number of comparison points necessary for biometric recognition. It practice, it means that when you go to the counter, the little camera scanning your face won’t have enough reference points to confirm that you are you.
That’s it.
💡 Did you know? Americans are luckier than citizens of other countries who are doomed to mugshot-like passport photos. In most European countries, like the UK, grins are entirely banned from passport photos.
To What Extent Can You Smile—Let’s Explore
In our in-house study on the most common reasons for rejecting ID photos (based on 10,000+ photographs), we discovered that an incorrect facial expression—including smiling—was people’s third most common mistake.
So, how much can you smile in your passport photo?
- You can: Slightly lift the corners of your lips to smile gently. Keep your mouth closed and eyes fully open.
- You can’t: Show teeth in a passport photo or grin. When smiling, you shouldn’t squint your eyes or lift your cheeks too much.
Hey, I know that a beaming smile makes everyone 10x more beautiful. But if you’re wondering how to look good in a passport photo, check our guides on passport photo dress code and passport photo hair rules.
US passport photo smiles: Examples
Compare these examples of smiles in passport photos to see which one is acceptable and which will likely be rejected.
What about a child’s facial expression?
Babies and toddlers are nearly as facially expressive as Jim Carrey. If you’ve ever tried to make your child keep a straight face, you’ll get what I mean.
Luckily, kids can smile in passport pictures, too.
Newborns and toddlers can have their mouths open and eyes partially closed. Once they’re old enough to follow your instructions, you should convince your child to keep a neutral facial expression or smile only gently.
You Smiled in a Passport Photo—What Now?
Maybe you forgot about it when taking your passport photo at home, or the photographer slipped up. Either way, the damage has been done—you submitted a photo looking a little too happy.
Now what?
If your smile is too broad and distorts your facial features, your passport photo will likely get rejected, and you’ll be asked to provide a new picture that meets all US passport photo requirements.
Pssst. I’ve got good news for you—
You can even take a government-compliant passport photo right now.
Our photography experts will ensure a passport agent won’t swipe left on your application picture again. Use the PhotoAiD® app for iOS or PhotoAiD® for Android and be ready to submit a correct photo when requested.
But hey, no need to download another app; you can do it right in your browser by uploading an image with the button below:
Learn how to take passport photos at home with these guides:
- How to Take Your Best Passport Photo with an iPhone
- How to Take a Passport Photo With an Android Phone
- How to Take a Passport Photo at Home [4 Quick Steps]
Can You Smile for a Passport Photo: Summed Up
The bottom line is that smiling in passport photos is allowed, at least according to US standards.
But—
It can’t be any smile you want.
Remember to keep your mouth closed (no teeth) and eyes fully open. This way, you won’t get your passport photo rejected and the application delayed.
Smile gently, or don’t smile; the choice is yours.
FAQ
What happens if you smile in a passport photo?
Can you smile with teeth in a passport photo?
Can you smile with teeth in a passport photo?
Broad smiles (with teeth showing) tend to distort facial features and make it difficult to identify you correctly. Thus, showing teeth in passport-size photos isn’t allowed.
Can a child smile in a passport photo?
Are you allowed to smile in your passport photo?
When did they stop letting you smile in passport photos?
While the exact date of that requirement change is hard to find, we researched online forums and newspaper articles to find out that the “ban” happened around 2004.
Sources:
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-passport-rule-has-no-teeth/
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3541444.stm
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
Sylwia is a skilled writer with a BA in English Studies and an active SPJ member. For nearly three years now, she’s been writing captivating articles for international companies, turning her lifelong passion into a career.
