Passport Photo for a Baby or Young Child
Taking a passport photo of a baby is harder than taking one of an adult, but it is possible at home with a sheet, daylight and some patience. This guide covers why infant photos are different, a simple method and what to do when the baby will not look at the camera.
Why baby photos are different
Many authorities relax the eyes-open and neutral-expression rules for infants, because a baby cannot be told to look straight ahead and stay still. This does not mean anything goes. No other person, hands, toys or dummy may be visible in the picture, and the baby's face must still be clear and well lit.
Each country sets its own infant exceptions, so check the page for your document on IDPhotoly before you take the photo. This guide does not state numbers or rules for any one country.
Step by step: a baby who cannot sit up
1. Lay a plain white sheet on a flat surface, such as the floor or a bed, and smooth out the creases.
2. Place the baby on their back on the sheet.
3. Take the photo from directly above, in daylight, for example next to a window. Avoid flash.
4. Keep your own hands, arms and shadow out of the frame. If you cast a shadow, change your position.
5. Take many shots, since babies move.
Another option is a car seat. Cover the seat back with a plain white sheet so that only the sheet shows behind the baby's head, and photograph from the front at the baby's face level. Make sure nobody is holding the baby in the frame.
Getting the eyes open
- Feed the baby first. A calm, full baby is easier to photograph.
- Try after a nap, when the baby is alert and rested.
- Call the baby's name or hold something interesting just behind the camera, not in the frame.
- Be patient and try again in a few minutes. Rushing causes crying, which spoils the shot.
Head size and centring still apply
Even if eyes and expression are relaxed, the position of the face is not. The head must be centred and large enough in the frame, with the whole face visible. Hold the phone straight and level, so the face is not tilted or distorted by an angle.
Toddlers
A toddler who can sit can sit on a parent's lap. Place a plain white sheet over the parent's body and legs, so that only the white sheet shows behind the child. The parent must not be visible in the photo. Take the picture at the child's eye level. Games and short breaks help, and ask the child to look at the camera by holding a favourite toy next to the phone.
How IDPhotoly helps
Add your best shot to IDPhotoly. The photo is processed in your browser and is not uploaded. It is cropped to the official size, the background is replaced with the colour the document requires and the photo is checked for the rules that can be tested. This helps if the sheet had small creases or the light was slightly uneven.
Price and refund
Prices start at $6.99 as a one-time payment, handled by Lemon Squeezy as merchant of record. If an official authority rejects the photo, you can request a full refund by email within 30 days at [email protected]. IDPhotoly is not affiliated with any government.
Last updated October 5, 2026.