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This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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FACT BRIEF

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.

See a full discussion of this at Lead Stories
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
US Department of State Passport Photos
US Department of State Tips
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Lead Stories
Lead Stories is a fact checking and debunking website at the intersection of big data and journalism that launched in 2015. It scouts for trending stories, images, videos and posts that contain false information in order to fact check them as quickly as possible. It actively monitors the fake-news ecosystem and doesn’t wait for reader tips or reports before getting started on a story.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.