The real reason why you can't smile in your passport photos

When it comes to applying for or renewing your passport, there is a long list of requirements for taking your passport photo.

Aside from bad lighting causing rejections, there is one point in particular that can lead to trouble – or potentially a few arguments with the post office lady taking the photo – and that is a smile.

There is a reason why any old Facebook profile photo just won't do, so it's important to know the rules around what kind of photo to submit. The last thing you want is to add to any extra travel stress, especially given there are already a host of other things that could render a passport invalid.

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Passport photo requirements

The Department of Foreign Affairs website lists the rules when it comes to taking a passport photo that won't be rejected.

Photos have to be 35mm to 40mm wide and 45mm to 50mm high. The size of the face from chin to crown can be up to a maximum of 36mm, with a minimum of 32mm.

With your application you have to submit two identical, good quality colour prints that are less than six months old. They can't be printed from an inkjet printer and there can be no retouching of any kind (including removal of background, moles, wrinkles or scars).

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Why you can't smile in a passport photo

So why can't we smile?

The reason smiling in passport photos is not allowed in many countries has to do with international security measures. Many airports now use advanced biometric scanning devices that contain facial recognition software.

The software scans a person's face for distinctive biometric patterns, such as the distance between a person's eyes or the shape of their mouth, and compares that to passport photos submitted.

Smiling – or even having your mouth open, or showing teeth – can distort a person's eyes and change the relationship between biometric points.

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"We recommend always keeping your passport photo smile at bay and using a neutral expression any time you are renewing or applying for a passport. It not only helps quicken your time going through customs, it also assures for easier facial recognition," experts at MyPassportPhotos.com explain.

Other reasons for rejected passport photos

Smiling isn't the only reason a passport photo might be deemed unacceptable.

The DFAT website also explains that glasses are not allowed in passport photos, unless you can provide a medical exemption explaining why you can't remove them.

Jewellery also can't obscure any part of your face, especially the area around your eyes, mouth and nose. There can't be any reflection from rings or studs.

If you usually cover your head for religious reasons, then you can wear the covering in your passport photo, but they have to be plain, without patterns (even small patterns).

They also have to be worn in a way that shows your face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead. The edges of your face on either side also have to be visible.

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Can you take your own passport photos?

The easiest thing to do is to get your passport photo taken by a professional passport photo provider, such as:

• Post offices
• Professional photographers
• Large chain stores with printing facilities
• Many camera stores
• Some pharmacies and chemists
• Other established reputable businesses.

"We recommend against the use of online passport photo services and mobile apps. You may be in danger of identity fraud," DFAT says.

What about a passport photo for a baby or infant?

Getting a toddler to do anything can be a struggle at the best of times, let alone when it's something as important as taking a passport photo.

Earlier this year, one mum's hilarious way of taking a photo of her child went viral, when she tried to get a plain background.

But the good news is there is a tiny bit of leeway when it comes to kids photos.

According to DFAT, for infants (under three years of age), a photo with an open mouth is acceptable.

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