UK Baby Passport Photo Requirements 2026 — Complete Guide

UK Passport Guide · Last verified: February 2026

Getting a compliant passport photo of a baby is the hardest part of a child's first passport application. The HMPO rules are strict — but slightly more flexible for very young infants. This guide covers exactly what the rules allow, the best method for photographing a baby at home, and where to take your baby for an in-store photo.

Key rules for baby passport photos

Same format as adult photos:

35×45 mm
Light grey or cream background (not white)
Head 29–34 mm from chin to crown
Both photos identical (2 required)
Taken within 1 month

The relaxed rules for infants:

HMPO allows the following for babies under approximately 6 months:

Eyes may be partially open or closed — young infants don't have reliable eye control
Mouth may be slightly open — a natural infant expression is acceptable
Tongue may be visible — acceptable as long as not dramatically sticking out

What is never allowed, regardless of age:

Another person visible in the photo — including hands, arms, shoulders
Pacifiers, dummies, or toys in the frame
Patterned or coloured background
Shadows on the face or background

The most important rule: no other person in the frame

This catches almost every first attempt at a home baby photo. The rule is absolute:

Only the baby may appear in the photo. This means:

No parent holding the baby — even if just the arm is visible
No hands visible propping up the baby's head
No shoulder visible below the baby
No reflection of another person in anything in the frame

The only compliant way to photograph a very young baby: lay them flat on a plain light grey or white surface and photograph from directly above. The surface supports them — not a person.

How to take a baby passport photo at home — step by step

What you need:

Plain light grey sheet or white foam board (35×45 mm background must be light grey for UK)
A second person to attract the baby's attention
A smartphone with the rear camera (disable portrait mode)
Good natural light from a window

Setup:

Lay a plain light grey sheet flat on the floor or a firm surface
Place the baby face-up on the sheet. Make sure the sheet has no wrinkles — these create shadows
Stand directly above the baby, camera pointing straight down — not at an angle
Have a second person kneel nearby to make sounds or hold a toy just above the camera lens to get the baby's attention

Shooting:

Take 20–30 photos in burst mode. You need: eyes open (or acceptable for infant age), face centred, no hands in frame — all simultaneously
Review at full zoom. Look for: face centred, eyes open, no hands visible, background uniform, no shadows

Common mistakes:

Angled shot — must be directly overhead, not 45°
Baby's head turned to one side — need face directly forward
Hands visible at edge of frame — reposition or crop more tightly
Shadows from your body blocking overhead light — move so the window light can reach the baby

Getting a baby photo at a studio or in-store service

For infants, a staffed service is easier than a photo booth. Recommended UK options:

Timpson: staff experienced with baby and child photos. No appointment needed. £12.99. The staff member will guide you on positioning. Free retake guarantee. Good for newborns.

Snappy Snaps: professional photographer, not a booth. Better for babies who need more guidance. £13–£16. Some locations have specific experience with infants.

Photo booths: not suitable for babies who cannot sit upright independently. Booths have fixed stools and automated cameras — no flexibility for infant positioning.

Post Office Check & Send: some staff can photograph babies, but experience varies. Call ahead to ask if the staff member at your local branch has done baby passport photos before.

Countersignature for child passports

For a child's first passport, a countersignatory must sign the back of one photo and confirm: *"I certify this is a true likeness of [child's full name]."*

The countersignatory must:

Be a British citizen over 18
Have known the child or the parent for at least 2 years
Not be the child's parent or apply for the passport themselves

This is separate from the photo compliance requirements. The countersignatory can sign any compliant photo — from a studio, a booth, or taken at home.

Frequently asked questions

What are the requirements for a baby passport photo in the UK?

Same format as adult: 35×45 mm, light grey or cream background, head 29–34 mm. Relaxed expression requirements for infants — eyes may be partially open, mouth may be slightly open. No other person visible in the photo — no hands, arms, or parents.

Can I hold my baby for a UK passport photo?

No. Only the baby may appear in the photo. No hands, arms, or other people can be visible. Lay the baby on a plain light grey surface and photograph from above.

Does a baby's eyes need to be open for a UK passport photo?

For very young infants (roughly under 6 months), eyes may be partially open or closed. For older babies and children, eyes should be open and looking toward the camera.

Can a photo booth take a baby passport photo?

Photo booths are not suitable for babies who cannot sit upright independently. Use a staffed service — Timpson or Snappy Snaps — for infant photos.

What background for a UK baby passport photo?

Plain light grey or cream — same as adult UK passport photos. Not white.

How do I photograph my newborn for a passport?

Lay the newborn face-up on a plain light grey sheet. Photograph from directly above with your camera pointing straight down. Use natural window light. Have a second person nearby to attract the baby's attention. Take 20–30 shots and select the best.