Passport offices don't expect a newborn to sit up, hold a neutral expression, or look at the camera on command. The rules for a baby's passport photo are noticeably more relaxed than an adult's, though a few things still trip people up. Here's what actually matters.

How the rules are different for a baby

Most countries allow a newborn or infant's eyes to be partially closed, since asking a two-week-old to stare at a camera isn't realistic. A slightly open mouth is generally fine too. What doesn't change: the baby needs to be the only person in the frame, facing forward, with a plain background and even lighting, the same as any other passport photo.

Lay them down instead of trying to sit them up

For a baby who can't sit independently, skip the studio pose entirely. Lay them flat on their back on a white sheet or blanket, and photograph from directly above. This avoids the awkward propping and head-support tricks that usually make the photo worse, not better.

Cover the car seat if that's easier

A car seat works too, especially for a sleeping baby. Drape a plain white or light-colored sheet over the entire seat, including the headrest, and photograph the baby straight on. Smooth out folds and wrinkles in the fabric first, since a wrinkled sheet can read as a patterned background once cropped.

Time it around their mood, not yours

The calmest window is usually twenty to thirty minutes after a feed, once they're settled but not yet asleep. A hungry or overtired baby makes this take three times as long. Have the background and lighting ready before you start, so the actual photo only takes a few tries.

Once you have a clean photo, crop and size it to your country's exact spec in under a minute.

Open the photo tool

What still isn't allowed

Hats, headbands, pacifiers, and toys in the frame are rejected almost everywhere, and so is a second person visible in the shot, even just a hand holding the baby steady. Some countries make an exception for a hand if it's edited out afterward, but the safer approach is to remove yourself from the frame entirely and support the baby with the blanket or car seat instead.

Frequently asked questions

Can a newborn's eyes be closed in a passport photo?

Yes, for most countries. Newborns and young infants are typically allowed to have their eyes partially or fully closed, since staying alert on command isn't possible at that age. Older infants and toddlers are usually held to the same open-eyes standard as adults.

Can I hold my baby in the photo?

Generally no. Passport photos need the baby alone in the frame, with no hands, arms, or other people visible. Lay them on a flat surface or use a covered car seat instead of holding them.

For the exact size and head-position spec your country requires, see the Passport & Visa Photo Tool or the country-specific guides linked from the homepage.