Every child, including a newborn, needs their own passport photo for a US passport — and the same 2 x 2 inch biometric standard applies to a two-week-old as to an adult. The difference is purely practical: getting a sleepy, wobbly infant to face the camera against a plain white background is the hard part. This guide covers exactly what the US Department of State requires and how to actually capture it.
Quick reference: US baby passport photo
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Head size | Roughly 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) chin to crown, where possible |
| Expression | Neutral; a natural expression is fine for infants |
| Eyes | Open if possible — closed eyes are accepted for newborns |
| Other people | No one else, and no hands, visible in the frame |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Source: US Department of State — Passport Photos.
The rules that are relaxed for infants
The State Department knows you cannot pose a newborn, so it relaxes a few rules for children under about age 1:
- Eyes can be closed. For newborns, a photo with closed eyes is acceptable.
- Neutral expression is not strictly required. A natural expression is fine.
- The head does not have to be perfectly centred or the exact head-size range if the child cannot support their own head — do your best.
What is not relaxed:
- The background must still be plain white or off-white with no shadows.
- No other people can be in the photo, and no hands may be visible supporting the baby.
- No toys, pacifiers, or props.
How to photograph a baby for a passport
Two techniques work well and keep hands out of the frame:
- Lay the baby on a plain white sheet or blanket. Place your baby on their back on a smooth white sheet and photograph straight down from above. Make sure there are no shadows and no folds that create grey lines.
- Use a white-covered car seat. Lay a plain white blanket over an infant car seat, place the baby in it, and shoot straight on. The blanket hides the seat so the background reads as plain white.
Extra tips:
- Shoot in soft, even daylight near a window to avoid harsh shadows.
- Get the camera level with the baby's face, not angled down at a steep tilt (unless shooting straight down onto a sheet).
- Take many frames — you only need one where the face is clear and evenly lit.
Common reasons baby photos are returned
- A hand or arm is visible holding or steadying the baby.
- Shadows on the white background from photographing too close to a wall.
- The face is turned too far to one side or is in deep shadow.
- The photo is cropped so the head is far too small in the frame.
Prepare the crop and size in your browser
Once you have a clear, evenly lit shot against a plain background, you still need it at the exact 2 x 2 inch, 300 DPI size. You can check the framing and export a print-ready file with GetShot Passport — everything runs in your browser and the photo is never uploaded. It crops and sizes the image; it does not alter your baby's appearance, and final acceptance is always decided by the passport agency.
FAQ
Do babies need their own passport photo? Yes. In the US every applicant, including newborns, needs an individual passport and photo.
Can the baby's eyes be closed? For newborns, yes — closed eyes are accepted. For older infants, open eyes are preferred where possible.
Can I hold my baby for the photo? Only if your hands and body are not visible in the frame. The cleanest method is to lay the baby on a white sheet and shoot from above.
What size is a US baby passport photo? 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), the same as an adult, on a plain white or off-white background. Always confirm the current rules on the official State Department page before submitting.