Baby Passport Photo Online

Why Babies Need Their Own Passport

Every US citizen traveling internationally needs their own passport, regardless of age. Babies cannot be included on a parent's passport. This applies to newborns, infants, and toddlers — even if they are traveling with both parents.

Child passports (under 16) are valid for 5 years, not 10. The application requires Form DS-11 submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility. Both parents must be present or provide notarized consent. And yes — a compliant 2x2 passport photo of the child is required.

The photo must meet the same basic specifications as an adult passport photo: 2x2 inches, 600x600 pixels for digital submission, white background, neutral expression. But the State Department applies relaxed standards for infants. More on that below.

Relaxed Rules for Infants and Toddlers

The State Department acknowledges that photographing babies is inherently difficult. The following relaxations apply to children under approximately 12 months old:

• Eyes can be partially closed. While open eyes are preferred, a baby with slightly closed eyes will generally be accepted. The face must still be clearly visible.
• Mouth can be slightly open. A neutral or closed mouth is ideal, but a slightly open mouth is tolerated for infants who cannot follow instructions.
• Slight head tilt is acceptable. Adults must face directly forward. Babies are given more leeway — a small tilt will not cause rejection as long as the face is clearly visible.
• No expression requirement. Babies do not need to maintain a neutral expression. Crying, however, is not acceptable — the face must be relaxed and recognizable.
• Support is allowed.A parent's hands may support the baby from behind, as long as no part of the parent appears in the final cropped photo.

Rules that still apply to babies without exception:

• White or near-white background
• No hats, headbands, or accessories covering the face or head
• Baby must be the only person visible in the photo
• Photo must be in focus and well-lit
• Head sized at 50-69% of the frame height

For the full specification list that applies to all ages, read the 2026 US passport photo requirements guide.

How to Take a Baby Passport Photo at Home

Taking a passport-quality photo of a baby at home is significantly easier than going to a pharmacy. You control the timing (nap schedule), the environment, and you can take as many attempts as needed. Here are three proven methods.

Method 1: Lay the baby on a white sheet (recommended)

1. Spread a plain white sheet or blanket on a flat surface — a bed, a table, or the floor.
2. Lay the baby on their back, face up, centered on the white sheet.
3. Ensure the sheet is smooth with no visible wrinkles or patterns. Iron it first if needed.
4. Stand or kneel directly above the baby and photograph straight down, keeping the phone parallel to the baby's face.
5. Use natural light from a window. Avoid direct sunlight — it creates harsh shadows. Overcast daylight or indirect window light works best.
6. Take the photo when the baby is calm, alert, and looking up. Making a noise or holding a toy above the camera can direct their gaze.
7. Take at least 10-15 photos. Select the best one — eyes as open as possible, mouth not wide open, face centered and visible.

Method 2: Hold the baby against a white wall

1. Have a second adult hold the baby upright against a plain white wall, supporting them from behind.
2. The holder's hands and body must not appear in the frame. Support the baby under the arms or behind the head, keeping hands behind the baby's body.
3. Photograph from directly in front at the baby's eye level.
4. Ensure the background is uniformly white with no shadows from the holder.

Method 3: Car seat method

1. Place the baby in a car seat (reclined position keeps them upright and still).
2. Drape a white sheet over the car seat behind and around the baby, creating a white background.
3. Photograph from directly in front. Ensure the car seat straps are not visible or are covered by the sheet.

Whichever method you use, GetPassPhoto will auto-format the background to pure white, crop the image to 2x2, and size the head correctly. Small imperfections in the background are handled automatically. Upload the best photo you have, and we do the rest.

Processing Your Baby's Photo with GetPassPhoto

Once you have a clear photo of your baby, upload it to GetPassPhoto. The process is the same as for an adult photo:

1. Upload the photo. JPG, PNG, or HEIC. Must be at least 1000x1000 pixels.
2. We auto-format it. Background replaced with white, image cropped to 2x2 inches, head sized to 50-69% of the frame.
3. Review and pay. Verify the preview looks correct, then select your package.
4. Download both files. A 2x2 digital passport photo (600x600 pixels) and a 4x6 print sheet with six copies.

The digital file works for online applications. The print sheet can be taken to Walgreens, CVS, or Walmart and printed as a standard 4x6 photo for $0.35-$0.50.

Tips for Getting the Best Baby Passport Photo

• Timing matters. Photograph the baby right after a nap and feeding when they are most alert and content. Avoid hungry, tired, or overstimulated states.
• Use natural light. Position near a large window. Avoid overhead room lights (they cast shadows under the eyes) and flash (causes red-eye and startles the baby).
• Remove all accessories. Take off headbands, bows, pacifiers, bibs, and hats. Nothing should obstruct the face.
• Get close.Fill the frame with the baby's face and upper body. A tiny face in a large photo loses resolution when cropped.
• Use burst mode. Take a rapid sequence of shots. Babies move unpredictably. One shot out of 20 will likely be usable.
• Check focus.Tap on the baby's face on your phone screen to lock focus. Blurry photos fail the sharpness check.
• No filters. Do not apply any phone filters, portrait mode blur effects, or beauty mode. Upload the original, unedited photo.

Common Baby Passport Photo Mistakes

• Parent visible in the frame. Hands, arms, or fingers showing in the photo. Support from behind only, nothing visible in the cropped area.
• Baby is crying. A distressed expression distorts facial features. Wait until the baby is calm.
• Pacifier in mouth. Remove pacifiers before taking the photo. They obstruct the mouth and lower face.
• Toys or objects in frame. Stuffed animals, blankets with patterns, or toys near the face will cause issues.
• Shadows from overhead lights. Shadows under the nose, chin, or eyes make the photo non-compliant. Use diffused natural light.
• Photo too old. Baby photos must be taken within the last 6 months. Babies change rapidly — a 3-month-old looks different from a 9-month-old.

Pharmacy vs. Home: Which Is Better for Baby Photos?

Most parents who have tried getting a baby passport photo at CVS or Walgreens know the experience. The baby is held up in an unfamiliar environment, the flash goes off, the baby startles and cries, and the result is a blurry photo of a screaming infant.

Taking the photo at home gives you complete control:

• Unlimited attempts. At a pharmacy, you get a few tries before the baby melts down. At home, you can try over multiple days.
• Familiar environment. The baby is calmer in their own home with familiar sights and sounds.
• Better lighting control. Natural window light produces better, more even results than pharmacy flash.
• Lower cost.GetPassPhoto's Photo + Print File package costs $16.95 and includes both the digital file and a 4x6 print sheet. A Walgreens passport photo service costs $14.99 but does not include a digital file for online applications.

GetPassPhoto includes a 100% acceptance guarantee. If the photo we deliver is rejected, we issue a full refund — no questions asked.

Frequently Asked Questions