Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Why is smiling forbidden on passport photos?

There'd better not be any smiling in there … Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA
There’d better not be any smiling in there … Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Can anyone offer a half plausible reason why smiling is forbidden on passport photos?

Tom Thomas, Ulverston, Cumbria

• Post your answers – and new questions – below or email them to nq@theguardian.com. Please include name, address and phone number

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.