How to take a US passport or visa photo of a baby
Babies cannot hold still or sit up, but there is a simple way to get a photo that follows the rules.
What the rules say
The State Department says to lay a baby on their back on a plain white or off-white sheet, or photograph the child in a car seat covered with a white or off-white sheet. No other person (including a parent's hand) should be in the photo, there should be no shadows on the face, and the child should look at the camera with eyes open.
Step by step
- Spread a plain white or off-white sheet on a flat surface by a window.
- Lay the baby on their back with the head centered.
- Stand directly above and take the photo straight down. Keep your own shadow off the baby.
- Get the baby's attention with a sound from behind the camera. Take many photos.
- Choose the one with open eyes and a calm face.
Using our tool for a baby photo
Our face detector is built for upright adult faces and may not find a lying baby. If that happens, the pop-up offers Place manually (baby or child). You rotate the photo so the head is at the top, then drag a line to mark the chin. The tool then sizes the head to the 50-69% rule and exports the file. Face checks are skipped, so make sure the eyes are open and nobody else is in the photo.
Normal growth
A child under 16 whose appearance has only changed through normal aging generally does not need a new photo, but the reviewing agency decides.
Open the photo maker. Sources: U.S. Department of State: visa photos and passport photos. Always confirm on the official site before you submit.