Passport Photos and smiling?

[JDY]

My DW and I had passport photos made today. (I had to renew mine and DW was applying.) Anyway, we had them made at the photo studio in WalMart. The lady who took them told me I could not smile and told my DW to take out her earrings. Not smiling for a photograph is like going to WDW and not eating at least one turkey leg.

I checked the US Dept. of State Passport site. It says no darkglasses and no headwear - nothing about smiling or earrings.

Is this a new thing or a WalMart thing?

Thanks!

PS. I like to smile.

 

[clh2]

I do not have a passport, but I have heard that no smiling is the norm.

Have you ever heard the phrase that applies to travelling - when you look as bad as your passport photo - it's time to go home???

 

[bizybea]

Hi JDY!! I had my passport photo taken at AAA and I'm smiling in it!! I'm sure if I ever go out of the country it will be on a trip that I will enjoy, and I'll be smiling then!

 

[Carl]

As far as I know, there is not rule about smiling. I'm smiling on my passport.

 

[ead79]

When I had my passport picture taken (back in 1997) they let me smile in it. One of my coworkers is Canadian, and they said that for Canadian passports there is a rule against smiling. I thought that seemed odd, but who knows???

 

[CarolA]

I understand the State Dept is moving to this. There is a transisition time so those of us who smiled don't all have to run out and get passports, but in the future you must not be smiling. So WalMart is actually ahead of the curve.

(If I understood HALF of the things they are doing to "protect" us, I would be a genius!)

 

[Sleepy]

My son and I just had passport photos done (on base) for a no fee military passport. I assumed you could not smile, so I did not. When we got over to the passport office, I took out the photos and my husband told me I looked like I had a mugshot for prison. My son was smiling in his photo. They did not reject his. Wish I had known I could smile After all was done, I now wonder if my photo will be a problem because I plan to get lasik soon and will no longer need glasses.

 

[WDWAurora]

We weren't given TIME to smile when we had ours done in 2000...he took mine before I'd even finished sitting down, so you can imagine how pretty that is. UGH!

 

[nativetxn]

I read somewhere that this new rule has something to do with future "biometrics" so that they can match your features with the photo or something like that to prevent people from using the passport of someone they favor physically.

I have to get my passport, thanks for reminding me

 

[Cruisin]

I know that in Canada now there is a rule that you cannot smile on your passport pictures anymore. They are also being very picky about things such as shadows on the pictures.

 

[KathyTX]

Oh, dear! I'm smiling and wearing earrings in my current passport photo.

I guess the next one will look pretty grim.

 

[Pin Wizard]

It about sounds like my mugshot for my college ID!

 

[ZachnElli]

Dh and I are going to apply for passports soon. If they tell me not to smile, I think it might be impossible for me to not, not smile! I'll probably bust a gut!

 

[Alex]

From the US Department of State web site

4. Photographs.

You must present two identical photographs of yourself that are sufficiently recent (normally taken within the past 6 months) to be a good likeness. Passport Services encourages photographs where the applicant is relaxed and smiling.

The photographs must not exceed 2x2 inches in size. The image size measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head (including hair) must be not less than 1 inch nor more than 1-3/8 inches with your head taking up most of the photograph. Passport photographs may be either black and white or color.

Photographs must be clear, front view, full-face, and printed on thin, white paper with a plain, white or off-white background. Photographs should be portrait-type prints taken in normal street attire without a hat and must include no more than the head and shoulders or upper torso. Dark glasses are not acceptable except when worn for medical reasons. Head coverings are only acceptable, if they are worn for religious reasons.

Applicants may use photographs in military uniform only if they are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and are proceeding abroad in the discharge of their duties.


From the Canadian Globe and Mail newspaper

Close your mouth. Look into the camera. Don't smile. Don't frown.
Canadians applying for passports must now submit photos showing "neutral expressions". They cannot be smiling, frowning, glaring or grimacing, the Canadian passport office said.

The changes follow recommendations from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the UN agency responsible for aviation issues, aimed at making it easier for security personnel to recognise passport holders around the world, a spokeswoman told the Globe and Mail newspaper.

The measure took effect on August 15, but the office will accept photos that do not meet the criteria until November 3. After that, all passports issued will be smile and frown-free.

 

[Nutsy]

I had to get a new one last year & the boys had to get a passport as well & we were told we could smile if we wished.