👶 Baby & Newborn Passport Photos

Baby Passport Photo US: Tips & Requirements 2025

Taking a passport photo for a baby is tricky — but doable at home. Here's exactly how, with the official US requirements.

Create Your Baby's Passport Photo

US Passport Photo Requirements for Babies

Babies and newborns must follow the same US State Department photo rules as adults — including the 2×2 inch size and white background. However, there are a few exceptions for infants:

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Size

2 × 2 inches — same as adults

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Eyes

Both eyes open — but babies often close their eyes, so patience is key

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Background

White or off-white — no car seats, hands, or objects visible

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Support

No adult hands visible in the photo — even if needed for support

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Expression

Neutral is ideal — but babies naturally vary. Eyes open is the priority.

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Clothing

Regular baby clothing — no uniforms or adult clothes

⚠️ Common failure: Car seat or hand visible in background. The State Department will reject photos where a car seat texture, adult hand, or any object is visible in the background.

Make Baby's Passport Photo Easy

Upload your best shot and PassportSnap handles the crop, resize, and background correction automatically.

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How to Take a Baby Passport Photo at Home (Step-by-Step)

1

Lay baby on a white sheet

Lay a plain white sheet or blanket flat on the floor. This becomes your background. Photograph from directly above.

2

Wait for baby to open eyes

Take many photos in quick succession. Wait for a moment when both eyes are open — even partially is okay.

3

Keep hands out of frame

No adult hands should be visible. If you need to support baby's head, angle your hand so it's cropped out.

4

Use natural light

Photograph near a window for soft, even lighting. Avoid flash which can create shadows or red-eye.

5

Upload to PassportSnap

We crop, resize, and check the background — adjusting if needed so only the baby's face is visible on white.

6

Print or use digitally

Download a print-ready 4×6 sheet with two 2×2 inch photos ready to cut and submit.

Tips for Success

💡 The white onesie trick: Dress your baby in a white onesie so that even if their clothing is visible, it blends with the white background.
💡 Photograph from above: Laying baby flat and photographing from above is the most reliable way to get a front-facing shot with a clean white background.
💡 Take 50+ photos: The chances of getting a perfect shot in one or two tries with a newborn are low. Take many shots and choose the best.
💡 Car seat method: If using a car seat, drape a white sheet completely over the seat so no texture is visible.

Why Use PassportSnap for Baby Photos?

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No store visit required

Getting a newborn to a photo store is stressful — do it from home.

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Background fix

We can clean up a slightly off-white background so it meets State Department specs.

Guaranteed acceptance

Accepted by the US State Department or we'll refund you.

Takes 2 minutes

Upload, process, and download — much faster than a pharmacy trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do babies need a passport photo for a US passport?
Yes. Every US passport applicant — including newborns — requires a photo. The same 2×2 inch specifications apply, with the same requirements for white background and open eyes.
Can baby's eyes be partially closed in a passport photo?
Both eyes should ideally be fully open. The State Department makes reasonable exceptions for infants, but eyes should be open enough to be visible. Take many photos to increase your chances.
Can my hand be in the baby's passport photo?
No. No adult body parts should be visible in the photo. Use the white sheet on the floor method to keep hands out of frame while still supporting baby.
What should I do if I can't get baby to open their eyes?
Take photos immediately after a feeding when baby is calm but awake. Early morning or just after sleep often works well. Having someone gently call baby's name can help attract their attention.