Official requirements
| Photo size | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 600 × 600 px |
| Head height | 50%–69% of photo height (chin to top of hair) |
| Eye height | 56%–69% from the bottom |
| Background | Plain white |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Submission | Printed photo |
Rules to follow
- Same size as an adult photo: 2 × 2 inches with the head 1 to 1⅜ inches tall.
- Lay your baby on a plain white or off-white sheet, or cover the car seat with one.
- No other person — and no parent’s hands — may appear in the photo.
- A baby’s eyes don’t have to be fully open; older children must have eyes open.
- Your child faces the camera with a neutral expression and the whole face visible.
- No pacifiers, toys, hats or bows that hide the face or head.
- Make sure there are no shadows on the face, especially when shooting from above.
- Take a new photo within the last 6 months — babies change fast.
Why U.S. Passport for Babies & Children photos get rejected
- A parent’s hand or arm visible in the frame.
- Shadows from shooting down at a baby lying flat.
- Pacifier, toy or bib covering part of the face.
- Patterned blanket or car-seat fabric behind the head.
Our checks catch these before you download — and you see the result before you pay.
Questions
How do I take a passport photo of a newborn?
Lay the baby on their back on a plain white sheet and shoot straight down from above, with daylight from a window to the side. Snap many frames and pick the one with the face straight and evenly lit.
Does my baby’s photo need open eyes?
Not for infants. The State Department accepts a baby’s eyes being not entirely open. Children who are no longer babies must have their eyes open.
Can I renew my child’s passport online?
No. Passports for children under 16 are applied for in person with Form DS-11, so you will hand in a printed 2 × 2 in photo.
Sources: U.S. Department of State – Passport Photos (infants and children) · U.S. Department of State – Photo Composition Template. PhotoForUSA is an independent service, not affiliated with any government. Rules change — always check the official source before you apply.