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Baby Passport Photo Requirements: A Tutorial Guide for Every Parent to Use
As parents, we know how tough it can be to get a good passport photo for baby. At first, taking on a photography project like this might not feel achievable, and that’s okay.
This guide is designed to help parents follow current U.S. Department of State passport photo requirements when taking a baby's passport photo at home.
This article explains how to prepare, photograph, crop, and print a baby's passport photo while following the current requirements.
More importantly, this guide will not only help you take acceptable baby passport photo, but a memorable photographic keepsake your family will treasure.
10 Baby Passport Photo Requirements By The Department Of State
Use the following checklist to review your baby's passport photo against the current requirements. You can also refer to baby passport photo examples as a guide.
Photos that do not meet the Department of State's requirements may be considered unacceptable and can delay the passport application.
1. Use a plain white or off-white background
It’s not super exciting, but every U.S. passport photo, even for your baby, should have a white or off-white background.
Photo credit: Travel.State.Gov
2. Set up your newborn in the right position
The child must face the camera with the full face visible and a neutral facial expression. It is acceptable if a baby's eyes are not entirely open, but all other children must have their eyes open.
Photo credit: Travel.State.Gov
3. Keep your baby’s head and eyes centered with no obstructions
Keep the child's head centered and full face visible. For babies, the eyes do not have to be entirely open. Older children must have their eyes open.
Photo credit: Travel.State.Gov
4. No props: No toys, pacifiers, or headgear (unless for medical/religious reasons)
Remember, no props are allowed in the photo but jewelry is acceptable. The baby should not be wearing any hats or head coverings, unless, of course, it’s for religious or medical reasons.
Photo credit: Travel.State.Gov
5. Maintain even lighting and avoid shadows or glare
Generally, most photographers know that flat natural light is the best. So, try to set up the passport photoshoot where you can take the photo with the best cinematography possible.
This is because according to the official passport photo requirements, successful lighting makes the image clear and, “reproduces skin tones accurately, and does not have shadows.”
Photo credit: Travel.State.Gov
6. Confirm the photo is the correct size
A United States passport photo size is officially 2 inches by 2 inches ( 51 x 51 mm).
Photo credit: Travel.State.Gov
7. The toddler passport picture should be high-quality
The Department of State accepts only the best quality images for toddler passport photos. Photos must be sharp without any visible pixels or printer dots.
Photo credit: Travel.State.Gov
8. Encourage your infant to open eyes
Attract your child’s attention behind the camera with something that engages their interest. This will help ensure their eyes are open and clear. For newborns, it’s acceptable if their eyes are partially closed.
Photo credit: Travel.State.Gov
9. Frame your kid’s face in the center
Your baby's face and head should be centered. The head must measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm), measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, within the 2 x 2 inch photo.
Photo credit: Travel.State.Gov
10. Keep the photo original and unedited
The passport photo must remain original and unedited. Do not use filters, computer software, phone apps, artificial intelligence, or other digital changes to alter the image.
Photo credit: Travel.State.Gov
Parents can print the photo on glossy or matte quality paper.
Special cases: Newborns can lie down, as long as the face is visible.
Also, for newborns, try laying your baby or toddler down on a white sheet, or better yet, use a white or off-white sheet to cover a car seat and pose the newborn sitting in it.
4 Rules For Choosing The Right Background For Infant's Passport Photo
Firstly, choosing the right background for a baby’s passport photo is just as important as the subject in the foreground. Luckily, the United States government provides clear guidelines for what it accepts for the backdrop of a passport. So, save the following list for later:
1. White or off-white backgrounds are crucial
Remember, the main requirement is to have a white or off-white background. This is the only acceptable color for a backdrop.
2. Confirm the background is smooth and texture-free
Again, following the color requirement, is taking care to avoid textures, objects, or wrinkles in the background of your passport photo.
Photo credit: U.S. Embassy
3. No patterns allowed in the background
Undoubtedly, the government will reject a passport photo that has a patterned background or any background except a white backdrop.
Photo credit: U.S. Embassy
4. Convenient and practical photos with fabric
A solid white microfiber backdrop can work for a passport photo as long as it appears smooth and uniform in the final image, with no visible shadows, distracting texture, lines, or objects.
Photo credit: U.S. Embassy
How To Take A Baby Passport Photo?
After getting what's needed in order, you need to start preparing for your baby passport shoot. Here's a step-by-step tutorial on how to take a baby passport photo:
Step 1: Styling the Baby's Outfit
Dress your baby in normal clothing that does not cover or cast shadows on the face. Keep the styling simple so the baby's full face remains clearly visible.
Image Credit: Youtube.com
Step 2: Choose Your Background Colour and Lighting
Experts encourage using a white background. You can use a blank white wall, sheet or get yourself a solid white cloth backdrop from Kate backdrops.
Use soft, even lighting and check that there are no distracting shadows on the baby's face or background. If the lighting does not meet the requirements, retake the photo rather than correcting it digitally. Since babies aren't exactly known for their ability to remain still, you can set your camera to burst mode.
Image Credit: Youtube.com
Step 3: How to Shoot
1 .What to use
For babies who cannot sit independently, place the child on a plain white or off-white sheet. You can also cover a car seat with a plain white or off-white sheet and place the child in the seat. Make sure no other person appears in the photo.
2. Camera and Shooting
Use a quality DSLR camera or an advanced smartphone camera. Ensure to get your settings correct to avoid overexposure or underexposure.
Another thing to remember is for the subject to face the camera directly. You may have to take extra time and shots to achieve the perfect passport photo.
Image Credit: Youtube.com
Step 4: Check and Crop the Photo
Review the original photo before printing. Make sure the baby's full face is visible, the image is clear, and the background is plain white or off-white without distracting shadows, textures, or objects.
Image Credit: Youtube.com
Do not use Photoshop, Lightroom, Canva, AI tools, filters, or other editing software to retouch the baby's face, replace or modify the background, remove shadows, or otherwise alter the image. If the lighting, background, or facial visibility does not meet the requirements, take another photo instead.
You may crop the image to the required passport-photo dimensions, but cropping should not alter the contents of the photo.
Image Credit: Youtube.com
Step 5: Printing
Remember to fit your photo correctly before printing. You can do the latter from your editing software where controls like, “Ctrl/Cmd+P” can direct you to the printing page. Alternatively, you can head to “Open” and scroll down to print to access the respective dialogue.
In the section, ensure the boundaries are 4x6 then go ahead and print. You can add the number of photos needed. Once you're done with the settings, click on the printer. Ensure that your printer is selected and the settings are set up. The quality should be best, and then print.
Image Credit: Youtube.com
You can save the correctly cropped original photo and print it from your computer or a separate flash drive. If you use a professional printing service, make sure the final image is not resized or distorted.
Image Credit: Youtube.com
Step 6: Cutting Them Up
You will need a table to cut the photos. You can use scissors, a paper cutter, or a photo cutter. Cut carefully along the edge of the photo. Be precise because the final printed photo must measure exactly 2 x 2 inches.
If you printed multiple passports, not all photos are usable. Mostly, the bottom two photos on the glossy page are about an eighth of an inch shorter than the rest.
Image Credit: Youtube.com
Bonus Tips
- Use another white sheet as a reflector on the shadowed side of the baby's face if it has one side slightly in shadow.
- Use a tape measure or a ruler to ensure the pictures are the exact dimensions and the head in the photos is also the exact dimensions required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do babies need passports?
Yes. Every United States citizen, even under the age of 16, must have a passport to travel abroad.
Can a baby be smiling in a passport photo?
For a baby passport photo, aim for a neutral facial expression. The State Department's general passport photo guidance allows a natural smile when the mouth is closed, but its specific guidance for babies and toddlers asks for a neutral expression. Avoid exaggerated expressions.
Can my baby cry in a passport photo?
A crying photo may not meet the State Department's neutral-expression requirement. Wait until your baby is calm and try again, making sure the full face remains visible.
Can a baby be swaddled for a passport photo?
The State Department does not specifically list swaddling as a passport photo requirement or exception. If the baby is swaddled, make sure the full face remains visible, nothing covers the face, and no other person appears in the photo. For babies who need support, the Department recommends using a plain white or off-white sheet or a car seat covered with one.
Can babies' mouths be open in a passport photo?
For babies and toddlers, aim for a neutral facial expression with the full face visible. The State Department's general passport photo guidance says the mouth should be closed and exaggerated expressions should be avoided.
What should a baby wear for passport photo?
Solid colors work best in photography. Take note that anything you dress the baby in must not block or shadow its face.
Can babies wear hair clips in passport photos?
Hair accessories should not cover or obscure any part of the baby's face or create distracting shadows. The baby's full face must remain clearly visible.
Do you need a social security card for a passport for a baby?
You generally do not submit the baby's Social Security card with the passport application, but you must provide the child's Social Security number if one has been issued. If your child has never been issued a Social Security number, the State Department requires a signed and dated statement confirming that fact.
Can a baby's hand be in a passport photo?
Keep the baby's hands away from the face so the full face remains clearly visible. A photo can be unacceptable if a hand blocks part of the child's face. No other person should appear in the photo.
Can babies wear bows in passport photo?
Avoid bows or other accessories if they cover, obscure, or cast shadows on the baby's face. The baby's full face must remain clearly visible.
Can my baby wear a headband in passport photo?
A headband should not cover or obscure any part of the baby's face. To keep the photo simple and reduce the chance of an obstruction, avoid unnecessary head accessories.
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