Does the State Department forbid Americans from smiling in their passport photos?
By Dean Miller
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NO
A post on the Lillian McDermott Radio Show page claimed the writer was not allowed to smile when she went to get her passport renewed.
McDermott said she was told this was due to new regulations.
However, the State Department's web page on passport photos features multiple photos marked "acceptable" showing smiling faces.
The site also includes a web page that directly addresses the question, "Can I smile in my passport photo?" confirming that it is allowed.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
US Department of State Passport Photos
US Department of State Tips
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