Baby Passport Photo – How to Take One at Home
Yes, babies need passport photos too — and getting a compliant infant photo is one of the trickier parts of the application process. Between keeping little eyes open, avoiding visible parent hands, and achieving a plain white background, there is a lot that can go wrong. This guide walks you through the requirements and three proven methods for getting a great baby passport photo at home. Our free tool handles the background removal and cropping automatically.
Baby Passport Photo Requirements
The requirements for a baby passport photo are the same as for adults, with one small exception for very young infants. Here is what the US State Department requires:
- ✓Size: 2x2 inches (51x51 mm), head centered
- ✓Baby alone: No parent hands, arms, or any other person visible in the photo
- ✓Eyes open: Eyes must be open and looking toward the camera; closed eyes accepted only for babies under 6 months
- ✓White background: Plain white or off-white — no patterns, no colors, no objects
- ✓Facing camera: Full front-facing view, face clearly visible
- ✗No pacifiers, toys, or blankets visible in the photo
- ✗No head coverings (religious exceptions require a signed statement)
- ✓Recent photo: Taken within the last 6 months
How to Take a Baby Passport Photo at Home
There are three proven methods for photographing a baby at home for a passport. Choose the one that best suits your baby's age and temperament:
Method 1: Bird's-Eye View on White Sheet (Best for Newborns)
This is the easiest and most reliable method, especially for newborns and young babies who cannot support their own head. Lay the baby flat on a plain white sheet on a firm, flat surface — a bed or the floor works well. Stretch the sheet smooth with no wrinkles. Stand directly above the baby and point the camera straight down, shooting from a bird's-eye perspective. This angle automatically gives you a clean white background throughout the entire frame. Position the baby so their face is centered and fully visible from the camera's point of view. Use natural light from a nearby window for soft, even illumination, avoiding direct sunlight which creates harsh shadows. Take 20 to 30 photos in rapid succession and review them to find a frame where the eyes are open and the face is centered. This method completely avoids the problem of parent hands being visible, since the baby is lying independently on the surface.
Method 2: Baby in White Car Seat Covered with White Cloth
Place the baby in their infant car seat and cover the seat surface and sides with a plain white cloth or white bedsheet. The car seat provides safe, hands-free support for the baby, and covering it in white fabric creates a clean white background around them. Position the car seat on a flat surface facing toward a window for good natural light. Photograph from the front at eye level with the baby. This method works well for babies aged 1 to 6 months who can recline in a car seat independently. Make sure the white covering extends behind and around the baby's head so no colored seat material is visible in the photo. A tightly woven white muslin cloth or a plain white pillowcase works best for even texture.
Method 3: Hold Baby and Remove Background Digitally
Hold the baby against any solid-colored wall or background and take the photo normally. Then use our free tool below to remove the background — including any part of your hands or arms that appear in the frame — and replace it with a clean, compliant white background. This method gives you the most control over the baby's comfort and positioning, since you can hold and support them fully. It works with any background color, so you do not need to set up a special white surface. The AI-powered background removal tool runs entirely in your browser, nothing is uploaded to a server, and it accurately separates the baby from any background including parent hands and clothing.
Tips for All Methods
- Use natural light from a window — avoid harsh flash or direct sunlight
- Take 20 to 30 photos in quick succession — babies move fast
- Photograph right after feeding when the baby is calm and alert
- Hold a toy or colorful object just above the camera to direct the baby's gaze toward the lens
Age-Specific Tips
Different ages present different challenges. Here is what to expect and how to handle each stage:
Newborn (0–3 months)
- Closed eyes sometimes accepted by State Department
- Use bird's-eye method — no need to support the head
- Dress in a plain white onesie to blend with background
- Photograph during alert periods after feeding
- Avoid shooting when baby is overtired or hungry
Infant (3–12 months)
- Eyes open is now achievable — aim for this
- Use a distraction toy held just above the camera
- Car seat method works well for this age
- Timing is critical — work quickly between expressions
- A second adult to attract attention helps a lot
Toddler (1–3 years)
- Can sit independently in a chair — use a white background wall
- Be quick — toddlers lose patience fast
- Try a favorite song or game immediately before the shot
- Neutral expression preferred — avoid big smiles
- Hold camera at the child's eye level, not from above
Upload Your Baby's Photo – Background Removed Automatically
Upload your baby's photo — we'll crop and remove background:
Common Mistakes with Baby Photos
These are the most frequent errors that cause baby passport photos to be rejected:
- 1Parent's hands visible in the frame. This is the most common rejection reason for baby photos. Even partially visible fingers or hands in the corner of the photo disqualify it. Use the bird's-eye view method or our background removal tool to eliminate this problem entirely.
- 2Pacifier in the mouth. Pacifiers must be removed before taking the photo. A pacifier in the mouth obscures the facial features and the mouth area, which is required to be clearly visible in a compliant passport photo. Remove the pacifier and take the shot before the baby becomes distressed.
- 3Baby not facing the camera directly. The baby's face must be centered and facing forward. Tilted heads, profiles, or three-quarter views are not accepted. If the baby keeps turning their head, try attracting their attention with a sound from directly behind the camera.
- 4Crying or highly distressed expression. While a neutral expression is ideal, the primary concern is a clear, open-eyed view of the face. A slightly unhappy face is generally accepted. However, a photo taken mid-cry with a severely distorted facial expression may be rejected. Try to photograph during a calm, alert moment.
- 5Shadow from hovering parent. When a parent hovers closely above the baby to support them, their body blocks light and casts a shadow on the baby's face or the white background behind them. Use the bird's-eye method with the camera at arm's length, or light the scene from the side to minimize overhead shadows.
- 6Colorful blanket or patterned background visible. Baby gear — car seats, bouncers, playmats, and crib bedding — is almost always colorful and patterned. Any of these showing in the background will cause rejection. Cover all surfaces with plain white fabric before shooting, or use our tool to remove the background after the fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do babies need passport photos?
Yes. Every traveler — regardless of age, including newborns — must have their own passport with a current photo. There are no exceptions for infants or young children. Even a baby who is a few weeks old needs an individual passport with a compliant photo if they are traveling internationally. The photo requirements are the same as for adults, with minor exceptions for babies under 6 months.
Can a baby's eyes be closed in a passport photo?
Generally, no — eyes must be open for passport photos. However, the US State Department makes an exception for very young babies (typically under 6 months old) who cannot reliably keep their eyes open. If your newborn has closed eyes in the photo, it may still be accepted, but open eyes are always preferred. Partially open eyes are more likely to be accepted than tightly shut eyes. When possible, photograph the baby immediately after waking when they are alert.
How to get a baby to look at the camera?
Hold a brightly colored toy or your phone just above the camera lens to attract the baby's attention toward the lens. Make sounds or call the baby's name to prompt them to look forward. Have a second person stand directly behind the camera and make eye contact with the baby. For very young infants, timing is everything — photograph them in the alert, calm window right after a feeding when they are satisfied but not yet sleepy. Take 20 to 30 shots quickly, as babies move unpredictably.
Does a baby passport photo need a white background?
Yes. US passport photos require a plain white or off-white background for babies, just as for adults. The baby must appear against a clean, plain white background with no patterns, colors, or objects visible. Colorful blankets, playmats, and crib bedding are not acceptable. Lay the baby on a plain white sheet or use our tool to remove and replace the background with compliant white automatically.
Can I hold my baby in the passport photo?
No. The final passport photo must show only the baby — no parent hands, arms, or any other person can be visible in the photo. However, you can hold the baby during the photo session and then digitally remove the background (and your hands) using our free tool. The accepted technique is to lay the baby flat on a white surface and shoot from above, or to support the baby against a white background and crop or edit out the parent afterward.
How old must a baby be to get a passport?
There is no minimum age requirement for a US passport — a baby can get a passport on the day they are born if needed. In practice, most parents apply when travel is planned. Note that passports for children under 16 are only valid for 5 years (not 10), so a baby passport will expire before the child turns 6. You will need to renew it at that point with a new photo.
What is the baby passport photo size?
Baby passport photo size is identical to adult requirements: 2x2 inches (51x51 mm) for US passports. The head must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25mm to 35mm) from chin to top of head, centered in the frame. The photo must be in color, printed on matte or glossy photo paper, taken within the last 6 months, and show a full front-facing view of the face. Our tool automatically crops and sizes the photo to these exact specifications.
How do I take a newborn passport photo at home?
The easiest method for newborns is the bird's-eye view technique: lay the baby on a plain white sheet on a flat surface such as a bed or floor, then stand directly above and photograph looking straight down. This eliminates the need to support the head and keeps the background completely white. Make sure there are no wrinkles in the sheet and no shadows falling across the baby's face. Use natural window light from the side for soft, even illumination. Take many shots in quick succession and choose the best one where eyes are open and the face is centered.