Baby & Infant Passport Photo Guide
Every baby needs their own passport — even newborns. Here's exactly how to take a compliant photo at home, what the eyes-open rule really means for infants, and how to avoid the most common rejections.
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Quick Requirements (US Passport)
How to Position Your Baby for a Passport Photo
The technique depends entirely on the baby's age and ability to support their own head. Use the method that matches your baby's stage.
Flat on a white sheet
Lay the baby on their back on a smooth white sheet on the floor or a firm table. Stand directly above and shoot down. The back of their head touches the sheet — that's fine. Keep the sheet crease-free.
Reclined in a white seat
Cover a bouncy chair, car seat, or Boppy pillow in a white sheet so nothing coloured is visible. Shoot from directly in front. A second person can attract attention from behind the camera.
Hand visible — instant rejection
Never hold the baby's head with your hand visible in the frame. The State Department rejects any photo that shows another person. Use a white pillow support and remove your hand before the shutter fires.
Tip
Passport Photo Rules by Age
Requirements tighten as the child gets older. Passport offices apply common sense for young infants.
| Age | Eyes |
|---|---|
| 0–3 months | Best effort — slightly closed accepted |
| 3–12 months | Should be open and visible |
| 1–3 years | Must be open |
| 3–16 years | Must be open |
The Eyes-Open Rule for Infants — What's Actually Enforced
This is the #1 concern parents have — and it's less strict than the official wording implies.
Official rule says eyes must be open. In practice, US Passport Acceptance Agents apply leniency to infants under 3–4 months. A drowsy photo with partially open eyes has been accepted. Try for open eyes but don't delay travel plans if you can't get a perfect shot.
The UK Passport Office explicitly states that babies under 6 months of age do not need to have their eyes open or look directly at the camera. This is written into their guidance — you have more flexibility with UK applications.
IRCC guidance says eyes must be open and looking at the camera. For newborns, agents apply common sense. Try to get an alert photo, but Canadian passport offices regularly process infant applications with eyes not fully open.
Warning
Step-by-Step: How to Take a Baby Passport Photo at Home
Follow these steps in order. The most common failures happen at steps 2 (background shadows) and 4 (not getting eyes open).
Lighting: The Biggest Factor for a Passing Photo
Poor lighting causes shadows on the face and background — the #1 rejection reason for baby photos. The good news: you don't need any equipment.
Best lighting setup (free)
Soft, even light without direct sun hitting the baby's face
Clouds act as a giant softbox — ideal diffused light
Avoid midday direct sun which casts harsh shadows
Not facing directly into it — avoid squinting
Hold a white board on the opposite side to fill in shadows
Avoid these lighting mistakes
Creates red-eye, harsh shadows, and uneven lighting
Casts strong shadows under eyes, nose, and chin
Creates overexposed patches and squinting
Can create catchlight reflections in eyes and uneven colour temperature
Grains the image — a dark photo will be rejected as too low quality
Top Rejection Reasons for Baby Passport Photos
Baby photos fail for these reasons more than any others. Check your photo against this list before submitting.
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Baby Passport Photo Requirements by Country
Core requirements are the same worldwide, but the eyes-open rule and background vary slightly.
| Country | Size | Background |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | 2×2 in | White |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 35×45mm | Light grey |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 50×70mm | White |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 35×45mm | White or off-white |
| 🇪🇺 Schengen Visa | 35×45mm | White or light grey |
| 🇮🇳 India | 35×45mm | White |
Baby Passport Photo FAQ
Do babies need a passport photo?
Yes. Every person — including newborns and infants — needs their own passport, which requires a passport photo. There are no age exemptions. Babies as young as one day old have been issued passports. The photo must show only the baby's face with no other people visible in the frame.
Do baby eyes need to be open in a passport photo?
For US passport photos, the State Department requires eyes to be open and clearly visible. However, they acknowledge that capturing this for very young infants can be difficult and accept photos where the eyes are slightly less than fully open, as long as the overall face is visible. The UK and Canada have the same general rule but also apply common sense for newborns.
Can a parent's hand be visible in the baby's passport photo?
No. For US passport photos, no other person's hand, arm, or body can appear in the frame. The photo must show only the baby's face and upper shoulders. Use a white sheet on the floor and photograph from above, or support the baby with a white pillow and edit out any visible hands.
What background is required for a baby passport photo?
The same as adult photos: plain white or off-white background with no patterns, shadows, or other people. At home, lay the baby on a white sheet on a flat surface, or position them against a white wall or white foam board. Make sure the sheet is crease-free to avoid shadows.
How do I keep a newborn still for a passport photo?
Wait until the baby is in a calm, drowsy state — just after feeding works well. Lay them flat on a white blanket or sheet on a firm surface. Have one person gently hold the baby's head in position while another takes the photo from directly above. Remove your hand before pressing the shutter, or take a burst of shots and remove the hand in editing.
Can a baby wear a hat or headband in a passport photo?
No. Hats, headbands, and hair accessories that cover any part of the head are not permitted unless for religious reasons. Remove all headwear before taking the photo. This applies to knit hats, bows, and decorative headbands — even small ones.
How old does a baby need to be for a passport photo?
There is no minimum age. Passports have been issued to newborns within days of birth for medical travel emergencies. The photo must meet the same requirements as adult photos — white background, eyes visible, face centered — but the requirement for a neutral expression is relaxed for very young infants.
Can I take a baby passport photo on my phone?
Yes. Modern smartphones take excellent photos with enough resolution for passport photos (you need at least 600×600 pixels for a 2×2 inch photo at 300 DPI). Use the rear camera rather than the front-facing selfie camera for better resolution. Turn off flash — use natural light from a window instead.
What is the head size requirement for baby passport photos?
The baby's head should take up between 50% and 70% of the total photo height — slightly less than the adult requirement because young infants often have shorter faces. Position the baby so their head and upper shoulders fill the frame. Our tool automatically adjusts the crop to meet the correct proportions.
Can the baby be sleeping in a passport photo?
For US passports, technically no — eyes must be open. In practice, US passport offices have accepted photos of very young infants with eyes slightly closed when the parents can demonstrate the child was awake. The UK Passport Office explicitly states that babies under 6 months do not need to have their eyes open or look directly at the camera.
Related Guides
Requirements sourced from US State Department, UK Passport Office, IRCC Canada, and DFAT Australia. Verified May 2026.