Baby passport photo online [+expert verification]
Get the perfect baby passport photo with your smartphone in under 3 minutes. No leaving home required. Acceptance guaranteed.
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As a data-driven content creator and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Max has 5+ years of writing experience. Over the course of his career, Max's work has garnered significant attention, with features in numerous prominent publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, BBC, TechRepublic, Glassdoor, and G2.
Karolina is a seasoned legal expert with a Master of Law and legal advisor credentials, specializing in passport photo compliance. She ensures adherence to international standards set by entities like the US Department of State and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Equipped with her advocate license and extensive legal background, she brings a unique blend of legal acumen and technical knowledge. Her expertise is pivotal in navigating the intricate and rigorous standards set by key global authorities. Her approach, marked by meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of international law, ensures stringent adherence to the evolving passport and visa photo regulations worldwide.
Welcome.
If you’re embarking on the journey to get a baby passport photo, you've come to the right place.
This page covers all the essentials:
- Specific requirements for child passport photos.
- Step-by-step instructions on capturing that perfect shot.
- A gallery of example pictures highlighting dos and don'ts.
- Actionable tips on where to get a professional passport photo for a baby.
Let’s dive in:
Baby Passport Photo Requirements
You can apply for a baby passport online or by post.
If you choose the online route, you’ll need to upload a digital photo of your baby. That photo has to meet specific requirements:
Digital Baby Passport Photo Requirement | Details |
Colour | In colour |
Alteration | Unaltered by computer software |
Framing | Include head, shoulders, and upper body without cropping |
Dimensions | At least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall |
File Size | At least 50KB and no more than 10MB |
If you are applying for a passport using a paper form, you must provide two identical physical photos of your baby.
The rules for paper pictures are slightly different:
Printed Baby Passport Photo Requirement | Details |
Colour | In colour on plain white photographic paper with no border |
Alteration | Unaltered by computer software and unmarked on both sides (unless a photo needs to be countersigned) |
Framing | Be a close-up of the head and the upper part of the shoulders |
Dimensions | Must measure 45mm high by 35mm wide and not be a cut-down version of a larger picture |
Size of Image | The image of the person from the crown of the head to the chin must be between 29mm and 34mm high |
Quality | Must be printed to a professional standard, without any creases or tears |
Now—
Regardless of the application method you choose, the photo itself needs to adhere to the following criteria:
The specifications listed for baby passport photos have been sourced from the guidelines provided by His Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO).
With the requirements out of the way, let's look at acceptable and unacceptable baby passport pictures.
Shall we?
Baby Passport Photo Examples
Below are three examples of children's passport photos that meet the requirements and those that don’t, courtesy of HMPO.
Photo Composition
The picture must include only the child, free from objects like toys or dummies, and no other people should be in the frame. If the child is under one year old, a supporting hand for the head is permissible, provided it remains out of sight.
Background
Baby passport pictures should be taken against a plain, light-coloured background to ensure clarity and contrast. Infants under one year should ideally lie on a plain light-coloured sheet, with the photo captured from above.
Clarity
Baby passport photos need to be clear and in focus, ensuring the baby's facial features are sharply defined and easily recognisable without blurring or fuzziness.
How to Take a Baby Passport Photo
Taking a baby passport photo can be a challenge.
Why?
Well, babies are unpredictable. They wiggle, they giggle, and they rarely follow directions.
But—don't worry.
With a bit of patience and these simple steps, you'll capture a great photo:
- Choose the Right Time: Aim for a moment when your baby is calm and alert. Post-nap times can work well.
- Set Up the Background: Use a plain light-coloured sheet as the backdrop. For infants under one, lay them on the sheet and take the photo from above.
- Dress Appropriately: Choose simple, solid-coloured clothing for your baby. Avoid logos or patterns that might distract from their face.
- Ensure Good Lighting: Natural daylight is best. Avoid shadows on your baby's face.
- Position Your Baby Correctly: They should face the camera with open eyes and mouth closed. If they're under one, it's okay not to look directly at the camera.
- Take Multiple Shots: Babies can be unpredictable, so take several photos to choose the best one.
Here’s also a nifty tip from Mateusz Chodakowski, our passport photography expert.
Consider placing a small mirror just above your camera lens. Babies have a natural curiosity for their reflection, which can work wonders in getting that head-on gaze for the photo.
Remember:
It might take a few tries, but with patience, you'll get that perfect shot!
Did You Know?
With visa-free access to 191 countries, the UK passport is the world's 4th most powerful.
Between 2019 and 2021, the UK issued an average of 5M+ passports.
A full 141,817 British passports were reported stolen or lost abroad between 2009 and 2014.
With visa-free access to 191 countries, the UK passport is the world's 4th most powerful.
Between 2019 and 2021, the UK issued an average of 5M+ passports.
A full 141,817 British passports were reported stolen or lost abroad between 2009 and 2014.
Where to Get Baby Passport Photos
Deciding where to take your baby's passport photo?
The easiest choice is to use our app right from your home.
After all, babies might get fussy or restless, especially in unfamiliar settings like a store. At home, you're in a familiar, comfortable environment where your child is more likely to stay calm, making it easier to get that perfect shot.
Here's how our tool works:
- Take the Shot: Capture your baby's photo following the guidelines above.
- Upload the Photo: Send it to us through the mobile app or web service.
- Wait for Automated Adjustments: Our tool will crop, resize, and adjust the background for you.
- Receive an Expert Review: Within 60 seconds, one of our experts will provide feedback to ensure you’ll get the green light from HMPO.
- Download Your Digital Image: Once approved, you receive the digital copy, ready for submission.
Need print-outs? We've got you covered with home delivery.
Easy.
If you’re still unconvinced, here’s what one of our customers had to say about our app on Trustpilot:
My daughter's photo that was taken on a machine at the post office was rejected, so I needed a new one in a hurry. This app was perfect, it instantly got me a photo which the passport office rated ‘good’ - their highest rating! Getting a passport photo of a 12 week old baby is hard, but this app made it so easy!
H Burgess (GB), March 27, 2023.
But—you've also got other options.
For example, some Post Offices provide a 'Check and Send' service.
Just go to the branch finder, choose 'Digital Check & Send' for assistance with taking your photo and filling out the application online, or 'Paper Check & Send' if you're applying with a paper form.
Moreover, places like Max Spielmann, Johnson Cleaners, and Timpson offer this service.
To find the nearest shop, use Google Maps.
Simply type in ‘baby passport photo near me,’ and it'll show you a list of nearby locations to get your picture.
Voila!
Sources
Documents
We provide photos for IDs from all over the world. You’ll find the one you are looking for!
Popular Documents
Popular Documents Around the World
FAQ
To get your baby to sit for a passport photo, try scheduling the photo shoot after naptime when they are calm. Use toys or gentle sounds to maintain their attention and position them comfortably.
If applying online, you'll receive specific instructions on which documents to provide. If you do it by post, you must send two new photos of your child (measuring 45mm high by 35mm), their full birth or adoption certificate, proof of British nationality, any of the child's valid foreign passports, and relevant court orders.
It typically takes around three weeks to get a passport for a baby, provided all the required documentation is correct and complete.
A baby passport photo is valid for one month from the date it was taken.
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