Can You Smile in a Passport Photo? What the State Department Allows

Yes, you can smile in a U.S. passport photo — but only a natural smile with your mouth closed. The State Department's current guidance says "you can smile in your photo" as long as your eyes are open and your mouth is closed, and its online renewal instructions add: avoid showing teeth. A neutral expression is the safest choice. A big, toothy grin, an open mouth or any exaggerated expression can get your application put on hold.

What the State Department Says About Expression

The official wording varies slightly between the paper and online renewal pages, but the meaning is the same:

Source	Rule
Passport photo requirements (paper applications)	Neutral expression, both eyes open and visible, mouth closed. Avoid exaggerated facial expressions. You can smile, as long as your eyes are open and your mouth is closed.
Uploading a digital photo (online renewal)	Use a neutral facial expression or natural smile. Avoid showing teeth. Look directly at the camera with your eyes open.
Babies and toddlers	The child's expression must be neutral. A baby's eyes don't have to be fully open; other children's eyes must be open.

Among the State Department's unacceptable examples are a photo with the mouth open, a photo with the eyes closed, and a child making an exaggerated face.

Why Passport Photos Need a Neutral Face

Passport photos are used for identity checks, including facial comparison at the border. A wide smile changes the shape of your cheeks, eyes and mouth, which makes it harder to match your face to the photo. A relaxed, closed-mouth expression is closest to how your face looks most of the time — which is exactly what the photo needs to show.

What Counts as an Acceptable Passport Photo Smile

• Acceptable: relaxed lips, corners of the mouth slightly up, teeth not visible, eyes fully open
• Risky: a smile that narrows the eyes or pushes the cheeks up so much that the eyes squint
• Unacceptable: lips parted, teeth showing, laughing, raised eyebrows, pursed lips, tongue out

If you can't tell whether your smile is "too much," go neutral. No one gets rejected for a calm expression.

Passport Photo Tips for a Natural Expression

1. Breathe out before the shot. Tension shows in the jaw and forehead. Exhale, drop your shoulders, then look at the lens.
2. Close your lips gently. Don't press them together hard — that creates a tight line and dimples.
3. Think of something mildly pleasant. It brings a slight, natural lift to the mouth without a full smile.
4. Keep your eyes wide open. Look slightly into the lens rather than at the screen. Blink just before the shutter, not during.
5. Keep your head level. Tilting, looking down or turning your head are separate rejection reasons.
6. Take several shots. Use a self-timer or a helper and take 5–10 photos, then pick the one with open eyes and a relaxed mouth.
7. Don't fix it later. Retouching a smile or opening eyes with an app is a digital change — not allowed.

For lighting, distance and background, see our step-by-step guide to taking a passport photo at home.

Other Things That Make a Passport Photo Acceptable

A perfect expression won't save a photo that fails other rules. The basics:

• 2×2 inch color photo, taken in the last 6 months
• Head 1–1⅜ in from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Plain white or off-white background, no shadows
• Facing the camera directly, head not tilted
• No glasses; no hat unless religious or medical (with a signed statement)
• Original, unedited photo — no filters or digital changes

The State Department calls unacceptable photos the number one reason it puts passport applications on hold. Compare your shot with our described passport photo sample examples and the full list of rejection reasons.

Can You Smile in Visa Photos?

Other countries are often stricter than the U.S. Many visa photo rules ask for a neutral expression with no smile at all. If you're also preparing a visa photo — for example for India or Vietnam — a neutral face is the safe default. When in doubt, check the destination country's official requirements.

Pick the Right Shot, Then Crop It

Upload your best photo on the US Passport Photo page. Photo-Visa.Online does automated cropping to the right size, background and compliance check — we don't change your face, expression or features. That's important: the State Department says not to change your photo using computer software, phone apps or filters, and it checks every photo for digital changes. You see the result before paying.

• Digital photo: $7; print-ready 4×6 in layout: $10
• Manual processing plan: $10, with specialist review and an acceptance guarantee (the automated $7 and $10 plans have no guarantee)
• One free re-upload within 30 days if you want to try a different shot

FAQ

Can I smile in my passport photo?

Yes, a natural smile with your mouth closed is allowed. Keep your eyes open and avoid showing teeth. A neutral expression is the safest option.

Will a toothy smile get my passport photo rejected?

It can. The State Department's online renewal instructions say to avoid showing teeth, and an open mouth is listed as unacceptable. Retake the photo with your lips closed.

Is a serious face required?

No. A neutral expression is recommended, but it doesn't have to look stern. A relaxed face with a slight closed-mouth smile is acceptable.

Can my baby smile or cry in the passport photo?

The child's expression should be neutral, and exaggerated expressions are unacceptable. A baby's eyes don't have to be fully open, but no one else can be in the photo and hands or a pacifier can't cover the face.

What happens if my photo is rejected for my expression?

You'll get a letter or email asking for a new photo. You need to respond within 90 days. See can I change my passport photo for what to do next.