Create a baby passport photo

When applying for your child’s passport in the UK, regardless of age, you must provide a colour picture taken within the last month. Depending on how you apply, you’ll need:

• One digital photo (online applications)
• Two identical printed photographs (paper applications)

Whether printed or digital, all passport pictures must adhere to the following key regulations:

• Background colour: Light grey or plain cream
• Quality: Free of shadows, pixelation, blur, or red-eye effect
• Attire: Contrasting with the backdrop
• Hair: Not covering the baby’s eyes or face
• Headgear: Only for medical or religious purposes
• Glasses: Only if medically necessary (can’t hide the eyes or cause glare)
• Eyes: Children one or older must have their eyes fully open
• Additional objects: No toys, dummies, or pacifiers—your child must be the only subject in the frame
• Position & facial expression: Children over six must be looking directly at the camera and maintain a neutral expression

However, there are more baby passport photo requirements to consider.

Digital

Your baby’s digital passport photo must meet these rules:

• Size: 600–750 pixels or more
• File: JPG or JPEG sized 50KB–10MB
• Digital edits: No alterations allowed, including red-eye removal
• Composition: Must include the baby’s head, shoulders, and upper body

Note that your passport photo will be cropped by the official photo tool once uploaded to the application—don’t do it beforehand.

Applying online is more convenient but also cheaper. Instead of £69 (paper application), you’ll pay £57.50. This, of course, doesn’t include the price of a passport photo.

Important: If His Majesty’s Passport Office rejects the application due to a non-compliant photo, the fee won’t be refunded.

Prints

To apply in person, you need two high-quality 35x45 mm pictures of the baby, with the head measuring 29–34 mm in height. Additionally, the photo must be a close-up of your child’s head and upper shoulders.

Ensure you attach an undamaged photo printed on high-quality paper (no borders) without creases, ink marks, or tears. Don’t sign the passport photo unless it requires countersigning.

When should you sign your baby’s passport photo?

If you apply for your kid’s first passport, a countersignatory must sign one of their photos. The countersignatory must be someone who:

• Has known your child or you for at least two years
• Can identify your baby in the photo
• Lives in the UK or has a British or Irish passport
• Works in a countersignatory recognised profession or has a good standing in the community

UK Baby Passport Photo Guidelines

Check these additional rules for baby passport photos based on commonly asked questions from parents:

• Can a baby wear a headband in a passport photo?

No, children aren’t allowed to wear any headgear or hair accessories.

• What colour should my baby wear for a passport photo?

Dress your baby in dark-coloured clothes to contrast with the light backdrop.

• Can a baby smile in a passport photo?

A child under six doesn’t need to have a neutral facial expression.

• Can my baby’s eyes be closed for a passport photo?

Only children under the age of one can have their eyes closed.

Moreover, remember that your baby:

• Must be the only subject in the photo. They can’t be holding toys or sit on your lap (hence why using a photo booth isn’t a good idea).
• Can’t be laughing or crying. 

Baby Passport Photos: Examples

Here are some examples of good and bad baby passport photos.