Can you smile in a passport photo?
Officially: no. A relaxed, closed mouth is what every rule asks for.
The rules all say some version of the same thing. The US State Department: a neutral expression with the mouth closed. HM Passport Office: a plain expression with your mouth closed. Canada: neutral, mouth closed, not smiling or frowning. Australia: not smiling, laughing or frowning. A closed-mouth, relaxed face is the only expression accepted everywhere.
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Why the rule exists
Passport photos are matched by face-recognition systems at borders and by officers comparing the photo to the person. Both work on the shape of the face, the eyes, the nose and the mouth; a smile moves all of them. A neutral expression is the one that looks the same as the traveller at 6 a.m. in an immigration line. The rule is not about solemnity — it is about the photo matching you on a bad day.
What 'neutral' means in practice
Mouth closed, lips together but not pressed, jaw relaxed, eyes open normally — not widened — looking straight into the lens. Many acceptance agents tolerate a slight closed-mouth smile on a US photo, and a relaxed face often reads as a faint smile anyway. What is refused is teeth, a raised-cheek grin that narrows the eyes, a frown, raised eyebrows or a tilted head. If you are unsure, think about nothing in particular and let the face settle; that is neutral.
Children
Infants are exempt from the expression rules in most countries; a newborn may even have eyes closed for a US photo. Older children are expected to manage a neutral face and open eyes, with some tolerance. The baby passport photo page covers how to get the shot.
Frequently asked questions
Will a small smile get my US passport photo rejected?
A slight, closed-mouth smile is usually accepted; teeth are not. Neutral is the choice that cannot be refused.
Can I smile in a UK passport photo?
No. GOV.UK asks for a plain expression with the mouth closed, and the digital checker looks for it.
Does the tool check my expression?
No — it measures geometry. Expression is on the 'check yourself' list under the measurements, quoted from the official rules for the document you chose.