Taking an infant or newborn to a photography studio or commercial pharmacy can be stressful. Babies rarely sit still, flash equipment can startle them, and strict passport rules apply even to babies just days old. Fortunately, every major passport agency—including the U.S. Department of State, UK HMPO, and Passport India—allows parents to take baby passport photos at home with their smartphone.

The Two Best Setup Methods for Infants

Never try to hold an infant upright against a wall—your hands will be visible, which is an automatic rejection. Instead, choose one of these two proven techniques:

Method A: The Lay-Flat Sheet (Best for Newborns 0–6 Months)

Spread a smooth, unwrinkled white bedsheet or blanket on a firm, flat surface (such as a clean floor or firm mattress).
Lay your baby flat on their back in the center of the sheet.
Stand directly above your baby, holding your phone parallel to their face (at least 3 to 4 feet away to avoid perspective distortion).
Ensure your own body does not cast a shadow over the baby's face or body.

Method B: The Car Seat Drape (Best for 6–12 Months)

Place a plain white sheet or towel over your child's car seat or bouncy chair to completely cover the fabric.
Fasten the harness underneath the white sheet or buckle smoothly so no straps are visible in the crop zone.
Seat the baby comfortably. The incline provides natural neck support so their head remains upright and centered.
Crouch down directly at eye level with your baby and capture the picture.

Official Requirements vs Infant Exemptions

Passport agencies understand that infants cannot follow instructions like adults. Here is how international standards differ for babies:

Requirement	Adults	Infants & Babies
Eye Contact	Eyes must be fully open and looking directly at camera	Eyes should preferably be open. U.S. State Dept allows infants under 1 year to have eyes partially closed or closed.
Mouth Expression	Neutral expression, mouth closed, no smiling	Neutral expression preferred. Mouth slightly open is accepted by most agencies if eyes are visible.
Pacifiers / Toys	Strictly forbidden	Strictly forbidden. Pacifiers, teats, and toys must be completely removed.
Supporting Hands	No other person visible	No supporting hands, fingers, or parents may be visible anywhere in the frame.
Headwear	Religious/medical only with statement	No headbands, bows, hats, or hoods. Hair must not cover eyes or brows.

Tips for Getting the Perfect Shot

Timing is critical: Schedule your photo session 20–30 minutes after a feeding when the baby is well-rested, content, and awake.
Use continuous burst mode: Babies move constantly. Take 20–30 shots in rapid succession while making gentle sounds or rattling a toy right above your camera lens to attract their direct gaze.
Turn off phone flash: Camera flashes can cause red-eye, cast harsh background shadows, and frighten infants. Use soft natural daylight from an adjacent window.
Dress in darker colors: Dress your baby in an outfit that contrasts sharply with the white sheet (such as navy, dark red, or patterned dark tones). This makes it easy for edge-detection algorithms to cleanly isolate the child's silhouette.

How to Crop and Prepare with ID Photo Size

Once you have captured a sharp photo where your baby is facing forward:

Open the ID Photo Size Home Tool on your phone or computer.
Select your country's passport preset (e.g. US Passport 2×2 inch or UK Passport 35×45 mm).
Upload your baby's photo. The processing runs 100% on your device, ensuring maximum privacy.
Use the face markers and interactive crop grid to ensure your baby's crown to chin ratio complies with the country's official specifications.
If the sheet background had slight folds or shadows, activate the Remove Background feature to produce a spotless white or light grey backdrop.
Download the digital file or printable multi-photo sheet to print at your nearest photo kiosk.

IDPhotoSize

How to Take a Baby or Infant Passport Photo at Home (Step-by-Step)