You're standing in a CVS or a post office, staring at a white wall, and the person behind the camera tells you to look "neutral." It feels weird. We’ve been conditioned since birth to show our teeth the second a lens appears. But when it comes to the question of can I smile in my passport picture, the answer isn't a simple yes or no. It depends entirely on where you live and how much you're willing to risk a rejected application.
Basically, the US Department of State has tightened things up over the last decade. They aren't trying to be the "fun police," even though it feels that way. The shift toward stone-faced photos is driven by technology, specifically biometric software. This software maps the geometry of your face. It looks at the distance between your eyes, the tip of your nose to your chin, and the width of your mouth. When you grin like you’re at a wedding, those measurements change.
If the computer at the border can't match your laughing face to your tired, jet-lagged face at 3:00 AM in Heathrow, you’re going to have a bad time.
The Official Stance on Smiling
In the United States, the official guideline is that you must have a "neutral facial expression" or a "natural smile." Notice the word natural. This doesn't mean you can do a full-tooth beaming grin that reaches your ears. It means your eyes should be open and your mouth should be closed. If your smile is subtle—what some people call a "Mona Lisa smile"—you’re usually fine.
But honestly, why gamble?
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets the global standards that most countries follow. They prefer a "neutral expression" because it’s the most reliable for facial recognition systems. If you look at the U.S. State Department’s own website, they show examples of acceptable and unacceptable photos. A wide, toothy smile often ends up in the "rejected" pile.
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Why Your Teeth Might Be the Problem
It sounds ridiculous, but your teeth can actually cause a glare. If you have bright white teeth and the camera flash hits them just right, it creates a "hot spot" on the photo. This can obscure the lower part of your face. If the biometric scanner can't clearly see the line where your lips meet because of a toothy glare, the software might flag the image as "unreadable."
I’ve seen people get their applications sent back months later because of a grin. It’s a massive headache. You have to go back, pay for new photos, and mail them in again. If you’re on a deadline for a trip to Italy or Japan, that two-week delay is a nightmare.
Global Rules Are Not the Same
If you hold a passport from a different country, the rules for can I smile in my passport picture might be even stricter.
Take France, for example. The French are famously strict about their passeport photos. They require a "neutral expression" with the mouth closed. Period. No smiling. No smirking. They want you to look like you’re staring into the abyss. The UK is similar; the HM Passport Office explicitly states you should not smile or frown. They want your face to be as flat and predictable as possible for their scanners.
On the flip side, some countries are a bit more relaxed, but the trend globally is moving toward the "no-smile" policy. Biometrics are becoming the gold standard for border security. Whether you're passing through an e-gate in Dubai or landing in New York, a computer is likely the first thing that "looks" at you. Computers are literal. They don't understand that you were just having a good day when the photo was taken.
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The "Squinch" and Other Tricks
Some people try to look "approachable" without smiling. There’s a technique photographers call "squinching"—narrowing the eyes slightly to look more confident and less like a deer in headlights. While this might make you look better on Instagram, it’s risky for a passport. If you narrow your eyes too much, the biometric software might not be able to accurately measure your eye shape or position.
Keep your eyes wide. Keep them level. Don't tilt your head.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejection
It’s not just the smile that gets people. Since you're already worried about your face, you should keep these other "photo killers" in mind.
- Glasses: As of 2016, you cannot wear glasses in U.S. passport photos. Even if you wear them every single day of your life. If you can’t take them off for medical reasons, you need a signed statement from a doctor. Otherwise, take them off. The glare on the lenses is a guaranteed rejection.
- Shadows: If the lighting is hitting you from the side and casting a shadow on half your face, the photo is useless. The background needs to be plain white or off-white, and the lighting needs to be even.
- Headgear: Unless it’s for religious or medical purposes (and you have the documentation to prove it), nothing can be on your head. No headbands, no "cool" hats, no beanies.
- Clothing: Don't wear a white shirt. You’ll blend into the background and look like a floating head. Wear something with a collar or a dark color so there’s a clear contrast between you and the wall.
Dealing with Kids and Babies
If you think getting an adult to stay neutral is hard, try doing it with a toddler. The State Department is actually a bit more lenient here. They understand that a six-month-old isn't going to understand the nuances of biometric scanning. For infants, it’s okay if their eyes aren't perfectly open or if they have a slight, natural expression. However, no one else can be in the photo. No hands holding the baby up, no pacifiers, and no toys.
A pro tip: lay the baby on a plain white sheet on the floor and take the picture from above. It’s way easier than trying to hold them against a wall.
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The Cost of Getting it Wrong
The current fee for a U.S. passport book is $130 plus a $35 execution fee. If your photo is rejected, you don't necessarily lose all that money, but you do lose time. Usually, the passport office will send you a letter (Form DS-3035) telling you that your photo was "unacceptable." You then have to provide a new photo within 90 days. If you don't, you might have to start the whole process over and pay the fees again.
In 2026, processing times are still a bit of a gamble. Why add 3-4 weeks to the clock just because you wanted to show off your dental work?
Final Verdict on the Smile
You've got ten years with this document. You’re going to look at it every time you cross a border. You might want to look "good," but in the world of international travel, "good" means "identifiable."
The best advice? Go for a "soft" neutral. Keep your mouth closed. Let your face relax. If you feel like you look slightly bored or grumpy, you’re probably doing it right. It’s better to look a little stern in your photo than to be stuck at the post office for the third time because your grin was too wide.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your local photo requirements: If you’re not in the U.S., look up your specific government's "photo specs" page. They often have a PDF guide with visual "Do and Don't" examples.
- Skip the selfie: Don't try to take your own passport photo unless you have a tripod, perfect lighting, and a dedicated app that checks the dimensions. Most "selfie" angles distort the nose and ears, which leads to rejection.
- Wear a dark shirt: Ensure there is high contrast between your shoulders and the white background.
- Remove all accessories: Take off the bulky earrings, the glasses, and the "fashion" scarves before you sit down.
- Verify the photo size: In the U.S., it must be 2x2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The head must be between 1 and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. Any reputable photo service (CVS, Walgreens, USPS) will have a template to ensure this is perfect.
- Keep your mouth closed: Seriously. Even if you think you have a great "closed-mouth" smile, keep it as subtle as possible. The goal is to get the passport in your mailbox, not to win a beauty pageant.