Passport photos are seldom anyone’s favorite picture. Between the harsh lighting of a standard photo booth and the often-uncomfortable setting, it’s rare to capture a truly flattering image. Adding to this less-than-glamorous experience is the common instruction: “Don’t smile!” Many who have renewed their passports have encountered similar directives, resulting in photos that are, to put it mildly, devoid of joy. But is smiling in a passport photo actually forbidden? And if so, why are we asked to adopt such a serious expression for this important document? The answer lies in a blend of technology and international security protocols.
The Official Stance on Smiling (or Not)
It might come as a surprise that the official regulations, at least in the United States, don’t explicitly ban smiling in passport photos. The U.S. Department of State mandates that passport photos must display a “neutral facial expression with both eyes open and mouth closed.” Applicants are also required to look directly at the camera, facing straight ahead.
However, according to a State Department spokesperson, there’s a nuance: “An applicant actually can smile in their passport photo, as long as both of their eyes are open and their mouth is closed in the photo.” This technically means a slight, closed-lip smile might be permissible. Thinking of adding a bit of “smize,” Tyra Banks-style, to your passport picture? That might just fit the guidelines. However, showing your teeth with a wide, beaming smile is definitely a no-go. The reason behind this seemingly stern rule isn’t about aesthetics, but rather about border security and technology.
The Science Behind the Straight Face: Facial Recognition
The primary driver behind the no-smiling (or minimal smiling) rule is the increasing use of facial recognition software at airports and border control checkpoints worldwide. Karolina Turowska, a biometric photography and travel expert at Passport-Photo.Online, explains, “The main reason for banning smiling is the introduction of facial recognition software at airports and other border control checkpoints.”
Many ports of entry now utilize automated systems to scan passports and photographs, relying on computers rather than solely on human immigration officers. While humans are adept at recognizing faces regardless of expression, machines require a more standardized approach.
Turowska elaborates on the technical challenges: “Algorithms don’t work as we do. To compare a 3D face with a 2D passport photo, they need to pinpoint and measure the users’ facial features. It includes the distance between the pupils, ears, nose and mouth, the mouth’s and the eyes’ width, and many others. Smiling can make it harder, as it alters facial proportions.” A broad smile significantly changes the dimensions and contours of the face, potentially hindering the accuracy of facial recognition systems.
Katy Nastro, a travel expert and spokesperson for Going, reinforces this point. “It moreso means you can’t smile like you’re posing for the first day of school, pearly whites front and center,” she clarifies. “Smiling wide with teeth makes it harder to verify eye color and general face shape by passport officials ― namely biometric technology ― who need to confirm your identity. With a majority of places using facial recognition technology at border controls, this is even more important as current biometric tech often has a hard time if points on the face are shifted.”
It’s Not Just the US: A Global Standard
The guideline against smiling in passport photos isn’t unique to the United States; it’s a widely adopted international standard. “Avoiding smiling in passport photos is a universal rule for most countries,” states Turowska. While the interpretation of a “neutral facial expression” might slightly vary across nations due to different facial recognition software, the underlying principle remains consistent. Even a subtle upturn of the corners of the mouth might be deemed unacceptable in some countries, as evidenced by French regulations that disallow even neutral expressions that hint at a smile.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) plays a crucial role in setting these global standards. As the State Department spokesperson noted, ICAO establishes “global standards and recommended practices for travel documents,” including guidelines for facial expressions in passport photos. The rationale is clear: “Photos with exaggerated expressions can make it more difficult to readily identify the passport holder,” making standardized neutral expressions a necessity for efficient and accurate identification across borders. These regulations have been in place for US passports and internationally for decades, evolving alongside facial recognition technology.
A Brief History of Passport Photos and Smiling Rules
While strict facial expression rules might seem like a long-standing tradition, they are relatively recent in the historical context of passports. The modern, internationally standardized passport system only emerged in 1920, following World War I.
Madison Blancaflor, a senior editor at The Points Guy, points out the evolution of passport photo regulations: “Passport photos weren’t always as strict as they are today. When passport photos first started to be used, there were very limited ― if any ― regulations to what the photos included. You can find some very interesting historical examples online of old passports with people playing instruments or wearing distracting hats. However, over the years more regulations have been put into place to heighten security efforts.”
The shift towards stricter rules, particularly regarding facial expressions, gained momentum around 2004 as facial recognition technology became more sophisticated and border security concerns intensified globally. “The face has always been the standard for biometric identification by the International Civil Aviation Organization, but because computers are limited in specific facial recognition capabilities, a neutral expression was deemed the gold standard,” explains Nastro.
What Happens If You Smile in Your Passport Photo?
Submitting a passport photo with a broad smile could lead to delays in your application process. “The most common reason for a passport processing delay is improper photos,” Nastro emphasizes. Even if you believe you have a perfectly acceptable smile, it might still be rejected if it doesn’t meet the specific requirements. To avoid any complications, adopting a neutral expression is always the safest approach.
According to the State Department spokesperson, if a smiling photo is submitted, “the passport agency will delay your application and request a new photo in keeping with the stated requirements.” You will typically receive a notification via letter or email with instructions on how to resubmit an acceptable photograph.
Blancaflor cautions about the potential consequences of not adhering to these requests: “If you’re unable to provide a photo that meets their standards by the deadline given, your passport application may remain in ‘on hold’ limbo forever or be rejected.”
Beyond smiling, other factors can also lead to photo rejection. Eyeglasses are generally prohibited unless they are medically necessary, requiring a doctor’s note. Hats or head coverings are also not allowed unless they are for religious purposes and worn daily, which also necessitates a signed statement. Furthermore, extreme facial expressions beyond smiling are discouraged. “Not only is smiling prohibited: Applicants cannot tighten their mouths, frown or crinkle,” adds Turowska.
For comprehensive guidelines, the State Department website provides detailed information on lighting, photo retouching, background requirements, and other crucial aspects of passport photos. Interestingly, children have slightly more lenient rules regarding facial expressions. Turowska notes, “The stringent rule regarding smiling is somewhat more lenient for children since having them maintain a neutral facial expression is challenging. The smile cannot impair the recognition of their facial features; however, as long as the child faces the camera and has his eyes open, the passport authorities should accept a smiling photo.”
In conclusion, while a tiny, closed-lip smile might technically be permissible, the safest strategy is to aim for a neutral expression when taking your passport photo. This minimizes the risk of delays and ensures your photo meets the standards for facial recognition technology, facilitating smoother travels across international borders.
