Is it illegal to smile in a passport picture? (need answer fast)?

Question

i live in california and was wondering if it was illegal to smile in your passport picture. need citation and proof that it is or isn't. thanks very much

Answer 1

Life is simple:

...when they take it, smile.  

...if they say:  "you smiled, we have to take another," don't smile.

...if you are allowed to bring a photo from home, bring smiley *and* frowny...

Case closed.

Answer 2

Well, if it is, my boss (who is a lawyer) is in trouble 'cause in his he has a smile on his face.  

Seriously, the only requirement I know of regarding the pose in a passport photo is as follows:

The photo should show a clear, front view, full face of the customer. The customer should be in normal street attire, without hat or dark glasses against a plain white or off-white background. The customer should have a natural expression, mouth closed, and eyes open and looking directly ahead. Photos in which the face of the person being photographed is not in focus will not be accepted.

So if you want to smile, as long as it is a natural smile and not a big, toothy grin, why not.  

And since a passport is a federal document, I don't think it makes much difference if you live in California.

Answer 3

Nope.  I'm smiling in mine!

Answer 4

You can smile, but not a really big smile (if you know what i mean?) Just smile lightly!

Answer 5

closed mouth preferred..so scanner can handle it.

doubt if it is illegal in the US.

Grins banned from passport pics

Travellers have been ordered not to look too happy in their passport photographs to avoid confusing facial recognition scanners.

Toothy, open mouthed grins are being outlawed from the tiny 35mm by 45mm photographs because they will throw off scanners used at airports.

Long fringes and head coverings, are also banned, under the new regulations along with dummies in babies' mouths.

The new type of passports are being introduced in a bid to fight terrorism.

A Home Office spokesman said: "When the mouth is open it can make it difficult for facial recognition technology to work effectively."

The machines work by matching key points on the holder's face, such as the mouth and eyes, with the photograph.

'Neutral expression'

It is easier for it to recognise a neutral expression with the mouth closed.

Chief executive of the UK Passport Service (UKPS) Bernard Herdan said: "These new guidelines are an important step in the development of the new biometric ePassport and use of facial recognition technology that will be introduced in 2005 as part of the ongoing fight against fraud and international terrorism."

The UKPS is planning to implement a facial recognition image biometric in the British passport book from late 2005 to early 2006.

It is hoped the biometric image will help to counter identity fraud and verify the identity of the holder against the document.

The new rules say "photographs must show no shadows: your face looking straight at the camera, a neutral expression, with your mouth closed."

Answer 6

No it is not illegal to smile in a passport photograph.  

Answer 7

No, it is not illegal.

Answer 8

No! You can smile, its just that most people are so tired from standing in line that they don't feel like it.

Answer 9

that would be funny like you smile and then they are like

"YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!!"

Answer 10

simple as this d**n people have to give an explanation.

NO !

Answer 11

dont worry about it. You want to look good because thats going to be you passport picture for 10 years.

Answer 12

Yes, its highly illegal and the punishment is death or life in prison without possibility of parole. Also, they make you eat your own excrement and do the chicken dance for hours on end.

Good grief.  

Answer 13

Correct. no glasses, no wigs. Natural expressions are expected in photos from any State. You can insist and hope to get your passport processed however; if the State Dept   rejecst your photo, you will get to start the entire process all over again.

Answer 14

http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/g...

No mention of smiling, which means you can be smiling in your photo.

Answer 15

If you're actually putting it in your passport - then it's not allowed. New international law. You're also not allow hair covering your eyes, or even making a shadow over them. No glasses either... amongst a load of other stupid rules!