Passport photo smile

When you're ready to apply for or renew your passport, gathering all necessary documents is essential. Don't forget about the photo—a critical part of your application that proves your identity.

Unlike the more casual images used on social media, passport photos must meet specific government standards, and it's easy to overlook factors like proper lighting and the appropriate expression, with smiles often leading to complications. We're here to guide you through these requirements.

Can you smile in a passport photo?

Almost all countries in the world require you to keep a neutral expression when submitting a passport photo.

Governments don’t allow you to smile in a passport photo for the simple reason of facial recognition. A passport photo smile distorts your facial features and makes it almost impossible to match your face to the document.

In quite a few countries, when you arrive at the airport and pass through customs, your picture is taken by a computer while you scan your passport. Your picture needs to match with your passport. You should not smile when this photo is captured.

Example of passport photos

Keep your smile at bay, and always use a neutral expression.

See the images above for some dos and don'ts when taking your passport photo.

We recommend using MyPassportPhotos for more information on taking the perfect photo and obtaining your passport photo.