Why can't you smile on your passport??

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Aussie Chick

We were told the same thing here. Not to smile, and it's due to stricter terrorist prevention techniques. Surely a smile is unique if some people have missing/crooked teeth etc and therefore it's better to have a more unique picture than a bland mugshot. I don't understand it either.

thevoiceofreason2b

it's bullshit.

the passport agency does not take the picture, someone else does... and sound like that person does not know what to do....

The directions on the passport renewal form is:

TWO RECENT, COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS
Submit two color photographs of you alone, sufficiently recent to be a good likeness of you (normally taken within the last six months), and 2x2
inches in size. The image size measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head (including hair) should not be less than 1 inch and
not more than 1 3/8 inches. The photographs must be color, clear, with full front view of your face, and printed on thin paper with plain light (white
or off-white) background. They must be capable of withstanding a mounting temperature of 225Â°F
(107 Â°C). Photographs must be taken in normal street attire, without a hat, head covering, or dark glasses unless a signed statement is
submitted by the applicant verifying the item is worn daily for religious purposes or a signed doctor's statement is submitted verifying the item is
used daily for medical purposes. Photographs retouched so that your appearance is changed are unacceptable. Snapshots, most vending
machine prints, and magazine or full-length photographs are unacceptable. Digitized photos must meet the previously stated qualifications and
will be accepted for use at the discretion of Passport Services. (Visit our website for details.)

Smile away...

Asa Rica

Passport photo requirement only states a natural expression which may include a smile or not.

Frame subject with full face, front view, eyes open
Make sure photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin; height of head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm)
Center head within frame (see Figure 2 below)
Make sure eye height is between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from bottom of photo
Photograph subject against a plain white or off-white background
Position subject and lighting so that there are no distracting shadows on the face or background
Encourage subject to have a natural expression

for flip's sake lads

Maybe it has to look like you will look after you've finished queueing to get to the security officer: tired, cranky, sweaty and definitely not smiling.

Amanda

Because it doesn't give a "Natural" look, and when some people smile, their eyes become really small and you can't even see the color and you look different when you smile. They do let you smile, but not a CHEESY smile. More like a slight grin. No teeth, but you can look happy in your picture so you don't look so evil. It's so they have the most natural picture of you, in case of anything. You might think it's dumb, but I'd rather do something dumb, and be a little safer.

roundater

because it is not the actual photo that is printed in the passport - it is a digital scan created by a computer with the scan data being stored in a chip embedded in the passport. this is so it can be compared with the data taken from the person when they are scanned at a passport check station. if the facial muscles move too much (as in a big smile) the computer may say that the two sets of data do not match, it could make for unpleasant consequences for the bearer.

ardnassac

In Australia, the regulations are: Photo must show you with a neutral expression and mouth closed. All of the photos on the website where the person is smiling are not acceptable.

Maybe most people aren't smiling when they hop off a long international flight, so it looks closer to what they will look like when they go through immigration?!?!?!

kitty

Everybody knows you dont smile all the time. They want you to look natural. Heck my drivers license looks like a mug shot.LOL

abbs

WOW I wasn't aware of that... thanks for the info.

Terri

You should have a normal look on your face and not a smile.

A smile or an open mouth changes your appearance slightly.

Taylor(:

good question i was first smiling and then the guy told me i couldn't smile and that sucked because you look horrible if you don't smile.

i used to think that too but i took my pictures and im smiling...i had to b/c when i dont smile in pictures i look tired..which i am most of the time...lol
it wasnt a problem for me and now i have a passport with a pretty picture..lol

ryssee

Sounds like the photographer was cranky. I'm smiling in all 3 of mine (the last after Sept 11). Anyone knows you're smiling when you're on vacation, so of course it's a natural expression :-)

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