Chapters · 4
Can You Smile in a Passport Photo?
It depends on the country. In a US passport photo you can smile, as long as it's a natural smile with your mouth closed and both eyes open; children need a neutral face. The UK, Canada and India all ask for a neutral or natural expression with the mouth closed, so no smile. No country here accepts a smile that shows your teeth.
The table below gives the rule for each country with its source, and the free check in the passport photo online tool flags a smile or open mouth before you pay for anything.
Quick answer by country
Checked against each government's published rules on November 4, 2026.
| Country | Can you smile? | The rule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes, mouth closed | A natural, unexaggerated smile is fine with eyes open and mouth closed. Avoid showing teeth. Children: neutral. | travel.state.gov, 8 FAM 402.1 |
| United Kingdom | No | A plain expression with your mouth closed. Children under 6 are exempt. | GOV.UK |
| Canada | No | Neutral: eyes open, mouth closed, not smiling or frowning. | canada.ca |
| India (passport) | No | A natural expression: no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows. Mouth closed. | passportindia.gov.in |
| India (OCI card) | No | A natural expression with the mouth closed. | ociservices.gov.in |
Links to every source are on the country pages: 2x2 photo, UK passport photo, Canada passport photo and Indian passport photo size.
01
Why passport photos need a neutral face
Passport photos are made to be compared with your face, by officers and by machines. A wide smile pulls the cheeks up, narrows the eyes and opens the mouth, so most countries ask for a relaxed face with the mouth closed.
02
What counts as too much of a smile
Even where a smile is fine, some things get a photo refused:
- Teeth showing. The US online renewal page says to avoid showing teeth, and every other country here wants the mouth closed.
- Squinting. A big smile narrows the eyes. US rules call out squinting as unacceptable.
- Exaggerated expressions. Raised eyebrows, frowns and grins are out everywhere.
The free check measures how far your lips are apart and flags teeth, an open mouth and, where the country wants a neutral face, a smile.
03
Can babies and children smile?
The rules for children don't follow the adult ones:
- United States: a child's expression must be neutral, even though adults may smile.
- United Kingdom: children under 6 don't have to look at the camera or keep a plain expression.
- Canada: newborns get some range in their expression.
- OCI card: a child should look at the camera with a neutral expression and the mouth closed.
Tips for getting a calm baby photo are on the baby passport photo page.
04
How to relax your face for the photo
A neutral face shouldn't look tense. These help:
- Breathe out slowly just before the photo.
- Close your lips gently, with your teeth apart behind them.
- Look at the lens, not the screen.
- Ask the person taking the photo to shoot a few in a row, then check each one in the tool.
Ready to make your photo?
Pick your document, add a photo and read the free check. You pay only for the HD files.
Make your photo
New passports and renewals, printed or uploaded for online renewal.
Your photo is checked on this device, and we never see it. By choosing one you agree that this page measures the face in it, on your device only. Nothing is kept after you close the tab.
Troubleshooting
The check says my lips are apart
Close your lips gently and take the photo again. A small gap often shows the teeth in the printed photo.
The check flags a smile for the UK
The UK wants a plain expression. Relax your cheeks and take another photo.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can you smile with teeth in a passport photo?
No. Even the US, which allows a smile, asks for the mouth closed and no teeth showing.
Can you smile in a US passport photo?
Yes, a natural smile with your mouth closed and eyes open. See the 2x2 photo page for the other US rules.
Can you smile in a UK passport photo?
No. GOV.UK asks for a plain expression with your mouth closed. See the uk passport photo page.
Will my passport photo be rejected if I smile?
In the UK, Canada and India it may be. In the US a closed-mouth smile is fine, but teeth or squinting can get it refused.
Can babies smile in a passport photo?
A US child's face must be neutral. In the UK children under 6 are exempt, and Canada allows some range for newborns.