Nepal passport application and photo for a baby
When applying for a Nepali child passport, even small details, such as consent forms or the child’s photo, must meet official standards.
This article outlines the full procedure in clear steps, from preparing documents to applying. It also covers practical tips for taking an approved baby passport photo at home.
Table of contents
- Types of passports for minors in Nepal
- Is it possible to apply for a Nepal passport online?
- Baby passport application process in Nepal
- Documents required for a minor's passport application
- Is a photo required for a child's passport application?
- Baby passport photo requirements in Nepal
- Online passport photo maker
- Passport photo app
- How to take a compliant baby passport photo at home: tips
- Nepal minor passport fees
- Nepal passport processing time
- FAQ
Types of passports for minors in Nepal
Nepal issues ordinary e-passports for children, including newborns. The ordinary passport is the relevant choice for a family's usual international travel; diplomatic and official passports are for people who qualify through their position or duties.
The ordinary e-passport is available in 34- and 66-page versions. A passport issued to a child under 10 is generally valid for five years. For a minor aged 10 to under 16, the stated validity is 10 years. A first passport for a child born abroad without a Nepali minor identity card can follow a special mission procedure, which also affects what is needed for the next application.
Is it possible to apply for a Nepal passport online?
No. Parents can fill out the pre-enrolment form, upload supporting documents and book an appointment online, but the application is not normally completed entirely online. The child and parent or guardian must follow the enrolment instructions of their selected office or mission, where identity is checked and the passport photograph is normally captured. Some missions have special arrangements for very young children, so follow that mission's instructions rather than assuming an appointment can be skipped.
The online form is for pre-enrolment, not a portal for uploading a finished passport portrait in every case. The Department of Passports' photo guidance says enrolment staff normally take the photo and identifies an exception for a child under five who cannot sit calmly for the photograph.
Baby passport application process in Nepal
The same pre-enrolment system is used whether the child applies in Nepal or through a Nepali mission abroad, but the appointment location and supporting documents differ.
- Open the official passport pre-enrolment portal and choose the correct application type, such as first issuance or renewal.
- Enter the child's details as shown on the minor identity card or the birth-registration or temporary number provided by the mission, as applicable. Choose the minor application option.
- Upload scans or photographs of the supporting documents requested for that application. The Department's current instructions specify JPEG or PNG files of 300 KB or less for the document uploads; these are not a routine upload of a prepared passport portrait.
- Select the appropriate enrolment centre: a district or area administration office for regular service in Nepal, the Department of Passports for urgent service in Kathmandu, or the responsible Nepali mission if applying abroad. Choose an available appointment.
- Save the submitted form with its barcode and QR code. Print the PDF if possible, or keep the original PDF on your phone rather than a screenshot.
- Attend according to the office's instructions with the child, the required original documents and the payment evidence. The office checks the details and completes enrolment.
Documents required for a minor's passport application
The checklist depends on whether the child has a Nepali minor identity card and where the family applies. Keep the original documents available for the appointment as well as the uploaded copies.
For a child applying in Nepal, prepare the submitted form with its barcode and QR code, the original minor identity card, the previous passport if this is a renewal, and the payment receipt. A first minor application at the Department of Passports also calls for verification of the minor identity card by the issuing district or area administration office and the citizenship certificate of a parent or guardian. The office may request additional documents for the child's circumstances. A national identity card number is not mandatory for applicants under 16.
For a first passport for a child born abroad who has no minor identity card, the Nepali mission may issue a birth registration or temporary registration number for the passport form. The Department lists the child's original birth registration certificate, both parents' Nepali citizenship certificates and passports, the parents' marriage registration certificate, and two recent passport-size photos for this particular route. The mission uses the number in place of a citizenship number in the child's application. Before a later renewal, the family must obtain a minor identity card from the relevant office in Nepal. Check the responsible mission for any additional local documents.
For renewal or replacement, take the child's current or expired passport, minor identity card or other document accepted for the applicable mission route, the submitted form and payment evidence. Additional documents may be required if the passport was lost or the child's records have changed.
Is a photo required for a child's passport application?
Yes, every child needs a passport photograph, but two printed photos are not required for every application. For ordinary live enrolment, staff normally take the child's photo at the appointment. If a child under five cannot sit calmly for the camera, the Department says a prepared photo is required. Missions may also instruct parents to bring printed photos for under-fives; for example, the Embassy of Nepal in London specifies a borderless 35 × 45 mm print. The two-photo requirement above belongs to the special first-passport process for a child born abroad without a minor identity card.
Baby passport photo requirements in Nepal
When the office or mission asks you to provide a photograph, prepare a recent, clear 35 mm wide × 45 mm high colour photo. The official Nepali passport photo specification shows a head height of 29 to 34 mm from chin to crown. It calls for a plain, light background, even lighting, no border and a sharp print. A mission may specify white more narrowly, so use the instructions of the office where the child will apply.
The child's face should be visible from the front, with open, clearly visible eyes. Avoid shadows, red-eye, pacifiers, toys and any other person or visible supporting hands. The Embassy of Nepal in London asks for a white background, the face filling about 80% of the frame, and both ears visible where possible. Do not rely on partly closed eyes being accepted for a baby's passport photo.
Online passport photo maker
If your child's office or mission asks for a printed photo, you can prepare it without taking the baby to a studio. Take 20 to 60 pictures on your phone if needed while your child is comfortable. You do not need a finished white-background passport photo as the starting image: choose a frame with the face and eyes clearly visible, then upload it to Visafoto and select Nepal and the passport-photo format.
Visafoto prepares the 35 × 45 mm crop, face framing and background, and can improve lighting and image quality. Download the print-ready template and print the number of copies requested by the office or mission at the correct size on photo paper. This gives you a prepared photo before the appointment without implying that every applicant must upload one to the government portal. If you are unsure which source frame to use, Visafoto's support is available 24/7. If an official rejects a photo bought from Visafoto, you can request a 100% refund.
Passport photo app
The 7ID app is another option for preparing a child passport photo on a phone. It can adjust the crop and background and provide a printable template. Whichever service you use, confirm first whether the child's enrolment centre will take the photo itself or asks you to bring a print; an app does not replace the appointment or an office's photo check.
How to take a compliant baby passport photo at home: tips
You can photograph a newborn at home if a prepared print is required. Choose a time when the child is settled, and take multiple shots instead of trying to obtain a perfect image immediately.
- Lay the baby on a flat, safe surface or photograph them securely in a car seat. Keep your camera directly above or in front of the child's face.
- Make sure the face is unobstructed and no parent, hand, toy or pacifier appears in the finished photo.
- Try to capture a frame with the child's eyes open and face toward the lens. If the baby moves or blinks, choose another frame.
- A plain sheet and soft light can help, but you do not need a perfect background or studio lighting to take a source photo for Visafoto. The final submitted image still needs to meet the office's background and lighting rules.
Nepal minor passport fees
The fee depends on the child's age, booklet size and where the family applies. The Department of Passports' current fee page lists the following charges at the Department for a new or renewed passport for a child under 10:
| Booklet | Department fee |
|---|---|
| 34 pages | NPR 9,500 |
| 66 pages | NPR 14,500 |
These are not a universal fee for district-office applications or overseas missions. Regular service at a district or area administration office has a separate fee schedule, and missions set charges in local currency. The Department's current fee page does not list separate seven-day, three-day or same-day surcharges for this route. Check the amount displayed for the child's selected office and application before paying.
Nepal passport processing time
Processing depends on the application centre. The Department says passports applied for through district or area administration offices typically take 10 to 30 days. Urgent applications at the Department of Passports in Kathmandu are typically issued within two working days after enrolment, subject to a complete application. Those are different services; district offices and overseas missions do not offer the Department's urgent service.
For an overseas application, use the chosen mission's own current estimate. Production, transport and appointment availability can extend the overall wait, so do not assume the Kathmandu urgent timeline applies abroad. Keep the application's reference details to track its status through the official Nepal ePassport service.
FAQ
Can a baby travel internationally before receiving a passport?
For ordinary international travel, a child needs their own valid passport or another travel document specifically accepted for the journey. Do not assume that a parent's passport covers the baby. If travel is urgent, ask the responsible Nepali mission what document may be available for the child's circumstances.
Do both parents need to be present when applying for a baby’s passport?
The attendance and consent requirements depend on the application centre and the child's documents. A parent or guardian and the child normally attend enrolment, but do not assume that a signed consent form always replaces a required appearance. Check the chosen office or mission's instructions before the appointment.
Can I take my baby's passport photo at home?
Yes, if the office or mission asks for a printed photo, you can take the source picture at home and prepare a 35 × 45 mm print. First confirm whether a print is needed: for most live-enrolment applications, staff take the photo at the centre. If a print is required, follow that office's instructions on its appearance and number of copies.
What happens if a baby’s appearance changes before the passport expires?
Normal growth alone does not mean a new passport is automatically required when the child turns five. Check the passport's actual expiry date. If the child's identity can no longer be established from the document, or the passport is lost, damaged or expiring, ask the issuing authority about a new application.
Last updated: 30 September 2026.