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Baby Passport Photo Requirements: How to Get It Right (US)
How to take and prepare a baby or newborn US passport photo — the 2 x 2 inch size, plain white background, no hands or toys in frame, eyes-open flexibility, and a no-shadow setup that works at home.
Babies follow the same size rules, with a little flexibility
A US baby or newborn passport photo is still a 2 x 2 inch (51 x 51 mm) color photo on a plain white or off-white background, taken within the last six months. The face should be visible and looking toward the camera where possible.
The State Department allows some flexibility for infants because they cannot pose: the baby does not need a neutral expression, and the eyes do not have to be fully open for newborns. The strict rule that does not bend is that only the child can appear in the photo — no hands, arms, or other people.
The rules that matter most for infants
Focus on these to avoid a rejection:
- Only the baby in the frame — no supporting hands, arms, chairs, or toys visible.
- Plain white or off-white background with no shadows behind the head.
- Eyes open if possible, but closed eyes are tolerated for newborns.
- No pacifier, bottle, or toy — the face must be unobstructed.
- Head facing the camera as much as possible, with nothing covering the face.
Two easy at-home setups
The challenge is keeping hands out of the frame. Two setups solve this. First, lay the baby on their back on a plain white sheet or blanket and photograph straight down from directly above, keeping the camera level. Second, cover a car seat or bouncer with a plain white sheet and photograph the seated child from the front.
Both approaches let you support the baby without your hands appearing in the photo. Take many shots and pick the one with the clearest, most front-facing view.
Lighting and avoiding shadows
Use soft, even light — daylight from a window works well. Keep the baby a little away from the background so the head does not cast a shadow, and avoid a direct flash that creates a hard shadow or red-eye.
Shadows on the face or behind the head are one of the most common reasons infant photos are rejected, and they are far easier to prevent than to fix.
How to crop and print with PhotoTools
Once you have a clean, front-facing shot, open the passport photo tool, choose the US 2 x 2 inch size, and crop so the head is centered and sized within the required range without cutting it off. Export a print-ready sheet at 300 DPI and print on photo-quality paper at actual size.
Processing runs in your browser, so the photo is not uploaded to a server. Use the tool for crop, size, and layout — not for editing the child's appearance, which is not allowed on identity photos.
FAQ
Do baby passport photos need the eyes open?
Open eyes are preferred, but the US State Department allows closed eyes for newborns who cannot keep them open. The face should still be visible and facing the camera.
Can I hold my baby in the passport photo?
No. Hands, arms, and other people cannot be visible. Lay the baby on a plain white sheet and shoot from above, or use a white-covered car seat.
What size is a baby passport photo?
The same as an adult US passport photo: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) on a plain white or off-white background.
Can my baby have a pacifier in the photo?
No. The face must be unobstructed, so remove pacifiers, bottles, and toys before taking the photo.
Official source to check
Confirm the current US requirements for children's passport photos before submitting.