Baby & Child Passport Photo Requirements (US) — 2026

The Core Rule: Same Size, Different Capture

US passport photo size and framing rules apply to children the same as adults. Capture allowances for infants are narrow. That means:

• Same 2×2 inch size (51×51 mm)
• Same white or off-white background
• Same head size requirement (face occupying 50–69% of frame height)
• Same file specs for digital submissions (JPEG, 54 KB–10 MB for online renewal)
• No AI editing, filters, or retouching (enforced since January 2026)

Age-based capture notes are narrow (infant eyes, sheet/car-seat setup). Size, background, and “no other person” still apply.

Requirements by Age Group

Newborns and Infants

Infants get a few practical allowances because they cannot pose like adults. Per State Department photo guidance:

• Eyes need not be entirely open — for babies only; other children must have eyes open
• Natural expression — a calm face; avoid toys and pacifiers in the shot
• White sheet from above — or car seat with a plain white/off-white sheet behind the head
• No other person — supporting hands or a parent in frame fail

What is never allowed, regardless of age:

• ✕Pacifiers or toys in the photo
• ✕Another person visible in the frame (no parent holding the baby)
• ✕Shadows on the face or background
• ✕Colored or patterned background
• ✕Blankets or clothing covering any part of the face

The hardest part: The baby must be facing the camera directly, with the full face visible from chin to crown. No turning the head. No tilting.

Toddlers (1–4 years)

By toddler age, the exceptions narrow significantly. Toddlers are expected to:

• Have both eyes open and visible
• Face the camera directly
• Show a neutral expression (the State Department accepts a relaxed, natural expression for this age group)

The practical challenge is keeping a toddler still and focused long enough to get a usable shot. Plan for 20–30 attempts. The technical requirements are the same as adults.

Children (5 and older)

Children aged 5 and older are expected to follow all standard adult photo rules:

• Neutral expression, mouth closed
• Both eyes fully open, looking at the camera
• Head straight, no tilting
• No glasses
• No hats or head coverings (except for documented religious reasons)

At this age, there are no age-based exceptions. The photo must be fully compliant with standard adult biometric requirements.

How to Take a Baby Passport Photo at Home

The most common approach is to lay the baby on a white surface and photograph from above. Here's the setup that works:

What you need:

• A plain white sheet, white foam board, or white blanket (no patterns)
• A smartphone with the rear camera
• Natural daylight from a nearby window
• A second person to keep the baby's attention

Step-by-step:

1. Lay the baby flat on the white surface. Make sure there are no wrinkles or shadows on the background behind or around them.
2. Position yourself directly above the baby, holding the phone vertically. The camera should point straight down — not at an angle.
3. Have another person stand nearby to make sounds or hold a toy just above the lens to get the baby looking up at the camera.
4. Shoot in burst mode or take 20–30 photos in quick succession. You need the eyes open, face forward, and no hands covering the face — all at the same moment.
5. Review at full zoom before selecting. Look for: face centered, both eyes visible, white background with no shadows, no hands or objects near the face.
6. Upload to PixID. We'll crop to the correct head size, remove any background shadows, and output the correct file format for your application.

What to avoid:

• Car seat without a white sheet behind the head — straps and patterned fabric usually fail
• Photos with the baby in someone's arms — the other person cannot appear in the frame
• Using a bouncy chair or swing — the harness and frame will appear in the shot
• Flash — harsh shadows and red-eye

A car seat is allowed when you place a plain white or off-white sheet behind the child's head so the background is even.

For a more detailed walkthrough, see our How to Take a Baby Passport Photo at Home guide.

The "No Other Person" Rule — What It Actually Means

This is the most misunderstood requirement for baby photos. The rule states that only the applicant may appear in the photo.

In practice, this means:

• You cannot hold the baby while the photo is taken
• You cannot have a hand visible propping up the baby's head
• You cannot be seen in any reflection or shadow

The flat-on-white-surface method solves this entirely. The baby is supported by the surface, not by a person.

If the baby cannot hold their head up independently, lay them flat. The photo is taken from above. This is the method the State Department implicitly accommodates by allowing eyes to be partially closed for newborns — because a flat-on-back photo is the only way to get a compliant shot of a very young infant.

Common Rejection Reasons for Baby Photos

These are the most frequent reasons child passport photos get rejected:

• ✕Parent's hands visible in frame — even a fingertip at the edge counts
• ✕Pacifier in the photo — no exceptions
• ✕Head turned or tilted — must face camera directly
• ✕Shadows on the background — from the baby's body, head, or nearby objects
• ✕Non-white surface — a cream or patterned blanket will fail the background check
• ✕Car seat straps visible — creates compliance failures on multiple dimensions
• ✕Eyes closed on a non-baby — toddlers and older children must have eyes open; babies may have eyes not entirely open

Official Specs Quick Reference

Requirement	Value
Photo size	2×2 inches (51×51 mm)
Head size in frame	50–69% of frame height
Background	Plain white or off-white
Expression (newborn)	Natural; eyes may be partially closed
Expression (toddler+)	Neutral, relaxed
Eyes (newborn)	May be partially open
Eyes (5+)	Fully open, looking at camera
Other people in frame	Not allowed
Objects in frame	Not allowed
AI editing	Strictly prohibited (January 2026)
Photo recency	Within last 6 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a baby passport photo myself at home?

Yes. Lay the infant on a plain white or off-white sheet and photograph from above, or use a car seat with a white sheet behind the head. No other person in the frame. Burst mode helps. Select US Passport in PixID for the 2×2 crop. Step-by-step: at-home baby photo.

My baby's eyes were closed in every photo. Is that okay?

For babies, travel.state.gov says it is okay if the eyes are not entirely open. All other children must have eyes open. Keep shooting when you can, but do not force endless retakes only because an infant blinked.

Can I hold my baby for the photo?

No. Only the applicant may appear. No parent, hands, or part of another person. Use a flat white sheet or a car seat with a white backdrop behind the head.

Can I use a car seat for a baby passport photo?

Yes, if you cover the area behind the child's head with a plain white or off-white sheet so the background is uniform, and straps or toys do not obscure the face. That is an accepted infant method in State Department guidance.

Does my toddler need a neutral expression?

Young children may show a natural expression. A wide grin or open mouth is riskier. Face the camera; both eyes open if the child is not a baby.

How long is a child's US passport valid?

Children under 16 receive a 5-year passport, so you will need a new photo more often than for a 10-year adult book.

Which PixID document should I choose for a baby?

US Passport — same 2×2 rules as adults. For a UK baby passport, use UK Passport and see the UK baby guide. PixID crops and formats; it does not alter the child's face.

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