Baby & Infant Passport Photo Rules (and How to Take One)
Lay your baby on their back on a plain white or light-coloured sheet and photograph straight down from above, with no shadows. The rules are relaxed for infants: in the US a baby's eyes do not have to be fully open, and in the UK children under 1 do not need their eyes open. The baby must be alone in the photo with nothing in frame — no hands, toys or dummies — and no one else's face showing.
Last updated 2026-06-10
How to take it
- 1Lay your baby on their back on a plain white or light-coloured sheet with no pattern.
- 2Hold the camera directly above and shoot straight down, filling the frame with the head and shoulders.
- 3Make sure no shadows fall on the face or the sheet, and that your own hands are not visible.
- 4Take several shots and pick the one with the most neutral, front-facing expression.
What the rules relax for babies
| Rule | Infants / young children |
|---|---|
| Eyes open | US: a baby's eyes do not have to be fully open. UK: under 1s do not need eyes open. |
| Neutral expression | UK: under 6s do not need a neutral expression. Australia: under 3s may have their mouth open. |
| Looking at the camera | UK: under 6s do not have to look directly at the camera. |
| Supporting the head | UK: you may support the head, but your hand must not be visible. |
What still applies
- The baby must be alone — no other person, hands or arms in the photo.
- No toys, dummies or pacifiers in the frame.
- Plain, evenly lit background with no shadows.
- The same size, head-position and background rules as an adult photo for that country.
Frequently asked questions
Can a baby have their eyes closed in a passport photo?
For infants, yes. In the US a baby's eyes do not have to be fully open, and in the UK children under 1 do not need their eyes open. Older children must have their eyes open.
Can I hold my baby for their passport photo?
You can support your baby — for example laying them on a sheet and steadying the head — but no part of you, including your hands, may be visible in the photo.
Can a baby use a dummy or pacifier in the photo?
No. Dummies, pacifiers and toys must not be in the frame. The baby must be alone with nothing else showing.