ID Photos

Baby Passport Photo Guide: Official Rules & Practical Tips

Baby passport photo rules for the US, UK, NZ, Australia & Japan, plus practical tips that work. Preview free — HD download $1, 300-DPI print sheet $2

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Infant Photo Rules by Country

  • United States: only the baby in the frame — no one else visible, no toys, no pacifiers/dummies, nothing supporting the head
  • New Zealand: lay the baby on a plain white or light-coloured sheet; eyes must be open; no shadows or objects in frame
  • United Kingdom: children under 1 do not need their eyes open or to face the camera; under 6 do not need a neutral expression
  • Australia: children under 3 may have their mouth open; all other composition rules still apply
  • Japan: same composition rules as adults (ICAO-based), with practical leniency for infants; photo taken within 6 months

Practical Tips That Actually Work

1

Car Seat + White Sheet

Cover the car seat with a plain white sheet, strap the baby in, and shoot from the front. No seat pattern or harness may be visible.

2

Overhead Shot on a Sheet

Lay the baby flat on a plain white or light sheet on the floor and photograph directly from above — the method recommended by UK and NZ authorities.

3

Daylight, No Flash

Use bright indirect daylight near a window. Flash causes red-eye and harsh shadows, both of which cause rejection.

4

Take Many Shots

Burst-shoot 20+ frames when the baby is alert and calm. Eyes open, mouth preferably closed, no hands or toys in frame.

Common Baby-Photo Rejections

  • Parent's hands or arms visible supporting the baby's head
  • Pacifier, toy or blanket pattern in the frame
  • Shadows across the baby's face or on the sheet
  • Eyes closed (required open in the US and NZ)
  • Head tilted or face turned away from the camera

Sources

Sources: U.S. Department of State — Passport Photos (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html), verified 2026-07-17; GOV.UK — Rules for digital passport photos (https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports), verified 2026-07-17; NZ Passports — Photo requirements (https://www.passports.govt.nz/passport-photos/passport-photo-requirements/), verified 2026-07-17; Australian Passport Office — Photo guidelines (https://www.passports.gov.au/getting-passport-how-it-works/photos-and-witnesses), verified 2026-07-17; MOFA Japan — IC Passport Photos (https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/passport/ic_photo.html), verified 2026-07-17.

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FAQ

Does my baby's eyes need to be open in a passport photo?
It depends: the US and New Zealand require eyes open; the UK waives this for children under 1. When in doubt, capture the baby awake with eyes open.
Can I hold my baby in the passport photo?
No. No other person — including hands or arms supporting the head — may be visible. Use a car seat or lay the baby on a plain sheet instead.
Can I use your tool for a baby passport photo?
Yes — shoot the original photo with the tips above, then use our tool to crop to the exact spec and verify head size: preview free, HD download $1, 300-DPI print sheet $2.