Can You Smile in Passport Photos? (Australia Rules Explained)

Many people wonder: can you smile in passport photos, or do you have to keep a serious face? While a natural smile might feel more flattering, it can actually cause your photo to be rejected.

Can You Smile in a Passport Photo (Australia)?

No — Australian passport photos require a neutral expression, so visible smiling is not allowed.

Instead, you should keep a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed and your face relaxed. This doesn’t mean you need to look overly serious, but your expression should remain natural and still, without visible smiling.

These passport photo requirements are similar in many countries because passport photos are designed for biometric identification systems.

Why Can’t You Smile in Passport Photos?

The main reason you can’t smile in passport photos is because of facial recognition technology.

Modern passports are designed to work with biometric systems that analyse your face by measuring key features — such as the distance between your eyes, the shape of your mouth, and the position of your nose.

When you smile, even slightly, these features can shift. Your cheeks lift, your eyes may narrow, and the shape of your mouth changes — all of which can make it harder for systems to match your face accurately.

By keeping a neutral expression, your facial features remain consistent, making identification faster and more reliable when travelling.

What Happens If You Smile in a Passport Photo?

If you submit a passport photo with a visible smile, a few things can happen:

• Your application may be delayed
• You may be asked to provide a new photo
• Your application could be rejected entirely

Even if the smile seems small, showing teeth or changing your natural facial shape can be enough to cause issues.

This is why it’s best to follow the neutral expression guideline from the start — it saves time and avoids unnecessary stress.

Are There Any Exceptions?

There are a few limited exceptions when it comes to smiling in passport photos.

For infants and young children under 3 years, it’s acceptable if their expression isn’t perfectly neutral. Babies, in particular, may have their mouth slightly open or appear to be smiling — as long as their face is clearly visible.

For adults, however, the expectation is much stricter. Even a noticeable “friendly smile” can lead to rejection.

A good rule of thumb is: relaxed face, closed mouth, and no visible expression.

Get a Passport Photo That Meets All Requirements

Getting the right expression can be harder than it sounds — many people don’t realise their photo includes a slight smile until it’s too late.

With PhotoBooth Online, you can take a simple photo at home and turn it into a fully compliant passport photo in minutes, with built-in checks that help catch issues like incorrect expressions.

Instead of worrying about whether your expression might cause rejection, you get a photo that’s checked and adjusted to meet official requirements — reducing the risk of delays.