Baby Passport Photo for US Passport

Baby Passport Photo for US Passport

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US Baby Passport Photo - Size & Requirements

Baby US Passport Photo
Size
Width: 2 in
Height: 2 in
Resolution
301 dpi
Image definition parameters
  • Head height: 1.29 in
  • Bottom of the Photo to the Eye Line: 1.18 in
Is it suitable for online submission?
yes
Is it printable?
yes
Background Color

How to take a photo?

Body-camera distance
1
Body-camera distance
Posture: Straight ahead
Posture: Straight ahead
2
Posture: Straight ahead
Even lighting on both sides of the face
Even lighting on both sides of the face
3
Even lighting on both sides of the face

U.S. baby passport photo guidelines

Traveling has never been as easy as it is today. Airlines offer travel to hundreds of different locations, even the most exotic. Passports and travel tickets are the golden keys we have with which to explore the world. 

The passport photo is a part and parcel of the application process. The Bureau of Consular Affairs or U.S. Embassy can refuse to issue a passport due to your incorrectly prepared photo. U.S. newborn passport photos are a little bit easier to take, thankfully. It is enough to:

  • have a plain white background;
  • have the baby in the center of the photo;
  • the child's face should occupy between 70 to 80% of the picture and the eyes and chin should be in the right places.

Of course, these are not all the requirements, because there are some requirements that all passport photos need to meet. We are going to show you all the important information and give you some clever tips.

From this article you will learn:

  • All the requirements for a U.S. baby passport photo;
  • The most common mistakes;
  • The correct size of a U.S. newborn photo;
  • How to prepare an acceptable background and how to dress your child for a passport photo;
  • How to prepare a U.S. baby passport photo online.

Why is the correct baby passport photo so important?

The U.S. government attaches great importance to passport photos. For quite some time, biometric photos have been used in our IDs, driving licences and other personal documents. It is said that biometric photos are a little bit strange as you have to stand in front of the camera, look straight into the lens, and you cannot show any emotion on your face or tilt your head. There is a huge similarity with photos taken of criminals at police stations, but it allows us to increase the level of public safety. Every citizen has an individual set of biometric features on their face. Advanced technology scans photos and can identify any attempts to cheat the system. 

On the other hand, have you ever been embarrassed when showing your ID with an old, unprepared photo? It happens every day, so it is a good idea to take care of your passport photo. 

Passports for newborns are also required. It is known that a well-prepared baby passport photo increases children's safety. Identification of the child is easier if the police can use high-tech systems. Baby passport photo requirements are similar to those for adults, but there are a few key differences. We have prepared all the information you need to know right here. if you want to quickly get a passport for a baby.

Take a photo and make sure your newborn will get a passport quickly

There are some requirements that a picture of your child must meet, but you can use your smartphone and our online photo editor. It is enough to take a photo of your newborn and upload it to the app. You do not have to worry about anything as our app will adjust the dimensions to the required 2 x 2 inches (this is equal to 51 mm) and change the background to white. The size of the head must be 25-35 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head and you must make sure that there is only a baby in the picture. 

We suggest dressing your newborn in colorful clothes, so as to have good contrast with the light background. It is important that our online photo tool also checks your picture, so you have a guarantee that it will be accepted. You do not have to go to a professional photographer with your child, your application-ready baby passport photo will be sent straight to your email. Yes, it really is that simple.

Requirements for a U.S. baby passport photo

As we have said, there are some requirements concerning the dimensions and specification of the passport photo for your young child. Most of them are universal, but some of the details are different. We have described all that you need to know as to passport photos of your kids, so keep calm and read on.

Child’s passport photo - quality and dimensions

First of all, remember the color photo must have been taken within the last six months. The correct size is 2x2 inches (51mmx51mm). The head must be between 1 - 1 3/8 inches (25 - 35mm )from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. It should have a high resolution because all of the details of the face are important, so the quality must be perfect. You need to know that it is forbidden to make any digital changes, so do not use any filter. If there is a red-eye effect, just take another picture. 

Make sure that you prepare a white background and if you're going to take a photo at home, a car seat with a white bed sheet is a smart solution. PhotoAiD editor can also change the background and adjust the photo to fit the remaining requirements. Make sure there is no shadow on the face or background. At the end, print passport pictures out on matte or glossy photo quality paper. 

Passport photos of kids cannot be:

  • blurred, pixelated, grainy;
  • damaged with holes, creases or smudges;
  • too dark or too bright.

The face

Your child must be in the center of the photo and be looking straight into the camera. Generally, a child should be in front of the camera and look directly into the lens. If it is possible, try to take a photo with a neutral expression and open eyes. The Bureau is very understanding when it comes to requirements regarding newborns and young children. It is acceptable if the infant's eyes (particularly a newborn's) are not, or not entirely, open. No matter what, the face and head must be fully visible. And again, make sure there is only a child in the photo and there are no accessories, toys or teddy bears. 

Clothes and hairstyle

You do not have to look for any special clothes to wear to take a passport photo as the clothing can simply be a nice, casual garment. We suggest that you dress your child in some expressive and colorful clothes as this allows there to be a good contrast in the picture. White causes blending with the background, which could make the subject of the photo look like a floating head and black causes too much contrast. This restricts the operation of the biometric system. When it comes to the hairstyle, any is fine as long as the hair of the child does not cover their face in any way, so if the child has long hair, or a long fringe, be sure to brush it to the side before taking the photo.

Do not cover the child’s head

It is important to have a fully visible face, including eyes and ears, in the baby passport photo, so it is best to take a picture of your newborn on a sunny day at home. You do not need to cover his/her head with a cap and you will have nice, natural light, which is the best form of lighting when it comes to taking pictures.. Remember, if the colors on the photo are not natural, it could be rejected. Avoid any glasses, pacifiers or any other accessories. 

How do your children need to pose for the passport photo?

For the U.S. passport photo, adults must sit or stand in front of the camera and look straight into the lens. This process is a bit different for infants. Parents very often consider: how to take the correct photo of a newborn for a passport or visa? There are a few solutions, but one of the most popular is to take a picture in a carseat with a white sheet. One of the best things to do is to use our online app to adjust and verify your newborn passport photo. While taking the pic, infants are often uninterested in the parent who has the smartphone or camera. A good tip is that while you are taking a photo, you should hold the child's favorite toy. Make sure they do not cover his/her face because these kinds of passport photos are always rejected. 

If your child is a little bit older, choose a sunny morning in order to have great lighting. The kid should wear some nice, colorful clothes and sit down on a stool. You do not have to worry about the background because PhotoAiD editor will adapt your picture to fit the requirements. Your task is to ask the child to close his/her mouth, open their eyes and look straight into the camera.

Remember, that the U.S. passport photo for newborn children must be clear and in color, and reproduce their skin tones accurately. Any glasses, head covering or other accessories are forbidden. The head should be centered and have a size, in the photo, of 25-35 mm and the dimensions of the photo must be 2x2 inches. The required background is one that is plain white. If you want to get a passport photo quickly, make sure your child looks straight into the camera, has open eyes and a closed mouth and their expression should be neutral. Remember, in the picture there should only be the child. And finally, do not digitally alter the photo.

PhotoAiD team is very happy to help people in everyday situations. Adjusting and preparing U.S. passport photos for newborns is one of them. If you use our online app to validate your photo, you will have a 100% guarantee that it will be accepted. More importantly, you will save time, because you do not need to go to a professional photographer with your kid and you can stay calm and relax when it comes to your passport application. 

Most common mistakes on passport photos for a baby

Our experience shows that people often repeat their mistakes on U.S. passport photos for newborns and children. If you are taking a photo at home, you’d better avoid making the mistakes that we detail below.

Unacceptable background

One of the most common reasons that newborn passport photos are rejected is using the incorrect background (or not using one at all). You need to have a plain white, background unless you want to have to send in the application again.

Wrong dimensions, low quality

Inappropriate size, low resolution and the quality of the passport photo are common reasons to reject your child’s passport photo. People think it should not be as perfect as a photo for adults, because “it is only a child” and “his/her appearance will change in three months”. Of course this is true, but the biometric system will identify characteristic facial features, which is the most important reason that the photo should be perfect and follow all requirements. 

Shadows on the face or background

As we have stated before, there is no possibility to accept any passport photo with shadows either on your face or on the background. You should take care of the light to ensure it is evenly lit. If you want to take a photo at home of your child, we suggest posing at the opposite side to the window. You can also prepare a floor lamp but be sure to place it correctly to ensure there are no shadows being cast. 

The child does not look straight at the camera

People often take care to ensure they meet a lot of the requirements, but they forget about this simple rule. If you are taking a passport photo of a child, you’d better stand in front of them and ask the child to look straight at you and then take the picture. If a newborn does not look straight at the camera, the application for the passport will be rejected. 

Unnatural light

It is a bad idea to take a photo after the sun goes down. This isn’t usually a problem because our smartphones have a lot of functions and filters, but the passport photo for U.S. citizens cannot be digitally altered. Pictures that are taken in unnatural light, such as in the late afternoon (depending on when the sun goes down for you) or early evening, will not be well-lit enough, so you should take the photo early, when the light is shining brightly and will give you the best lighting you need to ensure that the photo you take will be accepted.

Last update: 3/24/23

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How do you take a passport photo of a newborn?

Here are some quick instructions to help you take the perfect passport photo of your child:

  • Prepare a plain white background or use our online photo editor, which will adjust the background for you and prepare your photo to meet all requirements.
  • Choose the time of day that will have the best sunlight, this way you will make use of the best form of lighting of all, natural daylight.
  • Ensure that the newborn being photographed looks directly at the camera and has their mouth closed and eyes open, as a neutral facial expression is the one that works best.
  • Take a few pictures, so that you have backup options and can choose your favorite.

Make sure that the photo you choose is clean and has the required size (2x2 inches) or use our online app to prepare and verify your photo.

❓ What is the U.S. passport photo size for a newborn?

All U.S. passport photos have the following size requirement: 2x2 inches.

❓ Can a baby have their mouth open in a passport photo?

No, to ensure the photo is accepted the baby in the photo must have a closed mouth and be sure that his/her face is fully visible.

Yes, even an infant needs a biometric passport photo, so be sure to include one that fits all of the requirements to ensure the passport will be accepted.

Yes, it is a very good idea to use your smartphone. Check the requirements or use our online photo editor to adjust your picture. We offer a 100% guarantee that your photo will be accepted.

Yes, it is obligatory to have a plain white background in a U.S. passport photo. If you take a photo of your child at home, you can use a white sheet, but it is easier to use our online photo editor, which prepares and adjusts the background in your baby passport photo to ensure it has the right one.

There are no special requirements for clothes. It is suggested that you don’t use bright colors so as to have a nice contrast with the background. It is also a good idea to avoid the color black.

There are a lot of ways to do this and one of the most popular is using our online photo validator, which prepares your newborn passport photo to ensure it will be accepted.

If you have a photo of yourself, you can use our online app to adjust and prepare it to fit the dimensions and requirements. Remember there must only be your face in your photo, without a head covering or sunglasses. Upload it and you will receive a well-adjusted visa photo. We guarantee your picture will be accepted and you will only pay for the correct photo.

No. It is highly recommended that you have a neutral expression and have your mouth closed. It is important to have your eyes open and that they are visible. Young children such as newborns can have an open mouth and show some expression, but they still need to look straight into the camera.

You can wear a head covering only if it is worn for medical reasons or it is a part of your religion. If you do wear a head covering for these two reasons then you will need a signed statement from your religious leader or from your doctor.

You can wear your glasses only if you have a signed statement from your doctor.

Yes, you can wear small earrings or a necklace in a U.S. passport photo, just be sure that they do not give off any glare or cast shadows on your face.

About the document

How to get a U.S. passport for a baby?

You can get a passport online. First of all, you need to fill in the form that has been created by the US government. You can find it here. The next step is to pay the fee, which is about USD 80 - 120. After that, you should submit a good photo. There are some requirements for passport photos for children, but you can use our online app, which helps you adjust the picture to fit the requirements. 

Which documents are needed in order to get a passport?

If you want to apply for a passport, you have to prepare:

  • evidence of your U.S. citizenship
  • a photocopy of both the front and back (if there is information on the back) of the evidence of your U.S. citizenship. The photocopies must be legible, on white 8.5”x11” standard paper, in black and white and single-sided.

Warning: You cannot submit digital evidence of your U.S. citizenship (e.g. electronic or mobile birth certificate) when applying for a U.S. passport. You must continue to submit your physical evidence of U.S. citizenship and include a photocopy of it. 

What physical evidence of U.S. citizenship can I submit?

The physical evidence of United States citizenship is your previous, expired (or not) passport or your U.S. birth certificate, which should contain:

  • the city, county, or state of birth;
  • applicant’s full name, date of birth, and place of birth;
  • parent(s)’ full names;
  • the signature of the city, county, or state registrar;
  • the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth);
  • the seal of the issuing authority.

If you were born outside the United States you can use: 

  • A fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (can be expired);
  • A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth;
  • A Certificate of Naturalization;
  • A Certificate of Citizenship.

How much does a U.S. passport cost?

For adults (16 and older) who are first-time applicants for a passport book & card you have to pay USD175. For applicants who are children you pay less - USD140. For renewal you should pay USD140. 

How long should I wait for a U.S. passport?

Normally you have to wait 10-12 weeks. However, under special circumstances it could be a little bit quicker. Check the actual information here.

Are there some places where I do not need a U.S. passport?

Yes, you can travel without a passport to Canada, Mexico and all U.S. territories, for example: 

  • St Thomas;
  • St John;
  • St Croix;
  • Hawaii;
  • Puerto Rico;
  • Mariana Islands;
  • Guam;
  • American Samoa.

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