30 seconds and 3 simple steps. Take your baby passport photo at home, and get it approved.
PhotoGov is an independent service — a passport-size photo maker. We are not affiliated with any government, embassy, or consulate. All information on this website is based on official government requirements and verified primary sources. Final acceptance of the photo is determined solely by the issuing authority.
Is it time to apply for your child's passport? What an exciting moment! Hmm, only one thing... A new photo! Taking a passport photo for a baby can be intimidating — the setup, the lighting, the baby's mood. But today, with the use of modern tools like PhotoGov, it doesn't need to be that way. Follow our simple guidance, and get your digital photo in under 30 seconds.
The U.S. Department of State prohibits the digital alteration of identification document photographs. Our platform provides sizing and cropping services only and does not modify or enhance images.
PhotoGov allows users to quickly adjust their original baby portraits into fully compliant ID photos. Simply upload your child’s picture to our online tool, and it will automatically resize, crop, and adjust the background to meet all official requirements.
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Government authorities — such as the U.S. Department of State in the USA set the requirements for infant passport photos. These guidelines are based on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for biometric identity photographs.
Professional photographers follow them strictly, but today, with PhotoGov, you can take your child's photograph like a pro yourself. You need to adhere to the basics, and our online passport photo editing tool will take care of the rest. It adjusts the size, background, and proportions of your digital photo. The final result matches the following baby passport photo requirements, and your photo will be successfully approved.
The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months to reflect the baby’s current appearance. Older images are not accepted, even if they otherwise meet technical requirements.
The image has to be clear and accurately reproduce the natural tone of the baby's face. No shadows or reflections can be present in the photo.
A baby passport book photo must have a plain white or off white background without texture or patterns. If you're taking a digital photo at home, use a plain off white sheet of paper.
The correct size for an infant passport photo in the U.S. is 2x2 inches (51x1 mm). The head should be centered, sized between 1-1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
The toughest one! Fortunately, baby passport photo requirements aren't as strict as the ones for adults. The baby should be positioned upright, with shoulders square to the camera, facing directly toward it, with a neutral facial expression and open eyes. However, according to the U.S. Department of State, it is allowed for the eyes "not to be entirely open," especially for a newborn baby passport photo.
The child's facial features have to be perfectly visible and unobstructed. Parents or anyone else should support the child visibly in the frame. A toddler cannot hold toys, bottles, blankets, or any other object in their hands.
The digital photo must present a baby wearing everyday clothing. Hats, caps, or any head covering are not permitted unless worn for religious or medical purposes, in which case the face must remain fully visible.
Approved baby passport photo must be in color, sharp, well-focused, and free of visible dots, pixels, and compression marks.
Digitally enhanced passport photos are prohibited by the U.S. Department of State. Filters, retouching, or digital alterations are not permitted. Photos created, generated, or edited with artificial intelligence (AI) tools or computer software are not acceptable. Only basic cropping and resizing to meet passport dimensions are allowed.
An approved baby passport photo must be printed in the required size on a photo quality paper, glossy or matte. Save it in high resolution in the correct file size, and print it out at a post office or at a local Walgreens. You need two photos for the application.
Option | Pros | Cons | Timing | Pricing | Chance of Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Online Baby Passport Photo Maker PhotoGov | Done entirely from home; instant background/size adjustment; multiple attempts until you’re satisfied; no need to leave the house | Requires a decent original shot with good light | Fastest: just minutes | Free to low (~$5.90 on average) | Very High (photos auto-adjusted to U.S. standards) |
Professional Services — pharmacies, shipping centers, retail stores | Convenient locations (Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, UPS, FedEx, Walmart, Costco); quality generally meets legal standards | Requires travel; limited number of shots; may be crowded | Moderate: need to find, travel, wait | Moderate ($10–20 typically) | High (depends on staff expertise) |
Photo Booth | Cheap; quick printouts | Not baby-friendly; awkward to position infants; shadows or wrong background | Slower: need to find a booth + go there | Low | Medium (often rejected for infants) |
Professional Photographer | Professional lighting; knows passport standards; can handle restless babies | Expensive; requires travel and an appointment | Slowest: travel + waiting time | High ($20–100) | High to Very High |
Taking a baby's new passport photo at home may feel challenging, yet it becomes much easier once you follow these clear steps.
Choose a spot with natural daylight and a plain background. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows, and also dim corners, where the photo may turn out grainy. The best light is soft and indirect, coming from the side or from the front.
Lay the baby on the blanket or hold them upright in a secure seat, making sure the head is centered and the baby's eyes are open. Position yourself directly in front of the child at eye level to avoid distortion, and take several shots to capture the best expression.
Babies may resist, cry, and completely refuse to cooperate. If this happens, pause and give your child a short break instead of pushing through. A feeding, a cuddle, or a favorite lullaby often helps calm them down. Try again when the baby is more relaxed. Taking the photo may require several attempts, and that’s completely normal — patience usually works.
Check that the baby’s face is fully visible, with no hats, toys, or blankets in the frame. Shoulders should be straight, mouth preferably closed, and eyes looking toward the camera. Take more photos than you think you’ll need—this way you’ll have several options to choose the best one.
With good light and a calm moment, you can get an acceptable baby passport photo without leaving home.
When you’re done, simply upload your baby’s photo to PhotoGov. Our service will adjust it to meet official requirements and prepare two digital photos, ready to download. It is free in most countries, or costs less than a cup of coffee (but one free photo is always available for download).
If you require additional images or plan to use our tool frequently, please visit our Pricing page and select the option that best suits your needs.
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Now, when you have your photos on hand, it’s time to proceed with the application process. You’ll need to submit the photo together with the passport form and supporting documents. If you’re unsure about the paperwork or requirements, visit the FAQ section at the bottom of this page for guidance. But if you’d rather not manage it on your own, schedule an appointment at a passport agency or a local post office. The staff will review your documents and confirm the photo meets official standards.
Processing times vary, but on average, a U.S. passport for a child can take 6–8 weeks with routine service. If you need it sooner, expedited service usually shortens the wait to about 2–3 weeks, though extra fees apply.
According to the U.S. Department of State – Passport Photos Requirements, a baby passport photo must be 2×2 inches (51x51 mm), taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background. The baby’s head should be centered, both eyes open, and the face fully visible without shadows.
Yes. You can take a newborn baby passport photo at home by laying the baby on a white sheet or holding them in a secure upright seat. Make sure the background is plain, the photo is sharp, and no toys, hands, or blankets are visible. Use our online tool to get an approved baby passport photo.
Upload the existing photograph or take a new one with our online tool. Wait a few minutes until it automatically adjusts the digital image to the acceptable baby passport photo, USA standards. Download the digital image and send the documents for approval.
You can have a baby passport photo taken at most pharmacies, post offices, and photo centers. Stores like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart in the U.S. offer baby passport photo services that follow official requirements.
Yes, CVS baby passport photo services meet U.S. passport requirements. And the good news is that with our online passport photo maker, you can take your CVS passport photo from the comfort of your home! Make sure that you take a full face view of your baby, with the image free of objects that cast shadows, and your child doesn't wear glasses or a hat, unless for religious or medical reasons. After you’ve taken the picture, simply upload it to our platform and follow the on-screen guidance. In under 30 seconds, your CVS infant passport photo is ready.
Yes, you can review baby passport photo examples on the U.S. State Department website to compare and make sure your photo matches the approved format.
If you’re short on time, use our online baby passport photo service. You don’t need to go anywhere — simply upload your baby’s picture or take a new one at home, and our system will instantly adjust it to meet all official U.S. passport standards. Within minutes, you’ll have a ready-to-use, approved baby passport photo.
Baby Passport Photo Requirements: The US Department of State — Travel
Biometric Regulations for International ID Documents: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303
Others
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