Baby Passport Photo (USA)
All U.S. citizens must have passports when traveling abroad, regardless of age. The process of applying for a USA passport for a newborn is the same as applying for a passport for any child under 16. American passports for minors are valid for five years.
Bring a photo that meets the general U.S. passport photo requirements along with the other application documents. This guide focuses on the photo rules and practical ways to take your baby's picture at home.
Table of contents
- Baby passport photo requirements (USA)
- Where can I get a U.S. baby passport photo near me?
- How to take a passport photo for a baby?
- Get a U.S. baby passport photo online!
- What if a baby passport photo is not approved?
- Use the 2 × 2-inch baby photo for various applications
- Links
Baby passport photo requirements (USA)
As with adult passport photos, a U.S. passport photo for a child must meet the following specifications:
- The printed photo must measure 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm).
- The head must measure 1 to 1⅜ inches (25 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
- The background must be plain white or off-white, without shadows, textures or objects.
- The photo must be in color and taken within the last six months.
- The child must face the camera directly, with their full face visible and head upright.
- The child's expression should be neutral. A baby's eyes do not have to be entirely open, but older children's eyes must be open.
- No other person or object can appear in the photo. If you support your baby's head, keep your hand out of the frame. Remove pacifiers and anything else that blocks the face.
- Glasses are not allowed unless the child cannot remove them for medical reasons; a signed doctor's note is then required.
- There must be no red-eye, strong shadows or glare. The image must be sharp, not blurry, grainy or pixelated.
- Print the photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper, without visible printer dots, creases or smudges.
The State Department's photo guidelines show acceptable and unacceptable examples, including photos of babies and toddlers. Here is an example of the U.S. passport photo format:
Where can I get a U.S. baby passport photo near me?
Many chain drug stores, as well as post offices, offer passport photo services. The most common options are Walgreens, Rite Aid, and USPS. The average cost of 2 printed photo cards is $15, with no digital version included. Keep in mind, that not every location provides photo services for infants, so call ahead to ask.
Taking your baby's photo at home may be more comfortable: you can work around naps and take several shots without rushing. A friend or family member can also take the picture.
How to take a passport photo for a baby?
Taking a baby's passport photo at home is manageable. Follow these steps:
- Use a digital camera or a smartphone camera with good resolution. Professional equipment is not necessary.
- Choose even daylight. If you need another light, keep it soft and avoid shadows on your child's face. Avoid flash that causes red-eye.
- Set up the background. USA child passport photo specifications include an even light-colored background (a plain sheet or towel with no folds will do). If you use special online tools like Visafoto, you can skip this point: our service will automatically change the background to plain white;
- Frame the child's head and shoulders, with the full face centered and visible. No other person or object should appear.
- Make sure your shadow does not fall on the baby's face or the background.
- Keep the lens level with your baby's face and wait for them to look toward the camera. Their eyes do not have to be entirely open.
- Take several shots and choose a sharp, naturally lit photo with a neutral expression.
Get a U.S. baby passport photo online!
Visafoto can help prepare the size and printable layout for a baby passport photo taken at home. Start with a recent, sharp portrait that meets the photo rules above, with your baby's face fully visible. Upload it to Visafoto and select United States and passport photo. Visafoto prepares a 2 × 2-inch photo and a printable template, so you do not have to measure and arrange the prints by hand.
Source
Result
Check that your baby's head is centered and the prepared photo is ready to print at the required size. If you need help choosing a source image or preparing the print, Visafoto's support team can assist.
For a child under 16, the version you need for the passport application is the printed photo, not a digital upload. Print it on matte or glossy photo-quality paper and bring one photo to the in-person appointment. You can keep the digital file for your records, but it does not replace the print. For printing options, see our passport photo printing guide.
These photo rules apply to newborns and toddlers as well as other children under 16.
What if a baby passport photo is not approved?
An unsuitable photo can delay a child's passport application. If it is not accepted, check the reason and take or print a replacement that meets the State Department's rules. Visafoto's support team can help you review a photo prepared with the service. If a government agency rejects a photo purchased from Visafoto, you can request a 100% refund under its refund policy, or contact support for help with a replacement.
Use the 2 × 2-inch baby photo for various applications
The 2 × 2-inch format may be requested for several U.S. documents, but matching the dimensions alone does not make one photo suitable for every application. Check the separate instructions for each:
- U.S. baby passport photo: follow the child passport rules above.
- U.S. visa photo: check the visa category's photo and submission rules.
- DV Lottery baby photo: check the current entry instructions and digital photo rules.
Last updated: September 29, 2026.