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How to take a baby passport photo at home (2026 guide)

Baby passport photos are the #1 reason parents get rejected at the passport office. The rules are the same as for adults — plain background, eyes open, neutral expression — but babies won't sit up or follow instructions. Here's how to take one at home in under two minutes, without a studio.

The lay-flat method

The trick every parent misses: don't try to sit the baby up. Lay a plain white bedsheet on the floor or on a bed, place the baby on their back looking up, and take the photo from directly above. Gravity keeps the head straight, the sheet acts as a plain background, and both eyes stay open naturally.

  • Plain white bedsheet, fitted flat with no creases visible.
  • Baby on their back, arms out of frame.
  • Phone held straight above the face, roughly 40–50 cm away.
  • Natural daylight from a window on one side, no direct sun.

For babies who can hold their head up

For babies over 6 months who can sit, use a plain white car seat cover or blanket over a chair, sit the baby facing the camera and take the photo at their eye level. Have someone stand behind you to catch their attention just above the camera lens — that's what keeps both eyes forward and open.

What passport offices reject

The most common baby passport photo rejections come from small, avoidable mistakes: a hand or dummy in the frame, closed eyes, shadow on the face from the parent holding the phone, or a patterned background.

  • No hands, arms, dummies or toys in the frame.
  • Eyes must be open — for newborns under 6 weeks, closed eyes are usually accepted.
  • No shadow on the face from the person taking the photo.
  • Mouth closed or gently open, no exaggerated expression.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a baby passport photo?
The same as an adult passport photo. In most countries this is 35×45 mm; in the US it's 2×2 in (51×51 mm). Face height and eye position rules also apply, though they are more lenient for babies.
Do baby passport photo eyes have to be open?
For babies older than about 6 weeks, yes. Most passport offices (UK HMPO, US State Department, Italian Questura, Indian RPO) accept closed eyes only for newborns. From roughly 2 months old, eyes should be open and looking forward.
Can the parent be in the photo?
No. Hands, arms and any other person must be out of the frame. The lay-flat method solves this because you photograph the baby from above with no one holding them.
How much does a baby passport photo cost?
A studio typically charges €10–€15 for a baby session because they need extra time. IDReady.ai charges the same as any other passport photo and includes retakes — useful because you rarely get the baby right on the first try.

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