Child document photo rules for passports and visas
Children between roughly 6 and 16 years old must follow the same biometric photo standard as adults, with one practical exception: the strict neutral-expression rule is relaxed in most jurisdictions because children cannot reliably hold a neutral pose.
Quick answer
Same biometric size, relaxed expression
Same 35 × 45 mm size for Schengen, same 2 × 2 inch for the US, same 35 × 45 mm for the UK. Eyes open, looking forward, mouth closed where possible. No props, no toys in frame, no parent visible.
How "child" is defined
Most authorities split applicants into three age brackets: babies (0–1), young children (1–6) and older children (7+). Older children must follow the adult biometric standard. Young children are given some flexibility on expression and head positioning. Babies are covered by the dedicated baby guide.
The hardest part of a child document photo is not the geometry — it is keeping the child still long enough to capture a sharp frame with eyes open and looking forward. Studios that specialise in newborn and infant photography are usually significantly faster than the standard high-street passport-photo service.
Child photo rule by route
| Country / route | Size | Expression rule for under-6 |
|---|---|---|
| United States passport | 2 × 2 inches | Eyes open, mouth closed when possible. |
| United Kingdom passport | 35 × 45 mm | Mouth closed for over-1, eyes open. |
| Schengen visa | 35 × 45 mm | Eyes open, expression as neutral as possible. |
| Germany passport | 35 × 45 mm | Mouth closed for over-6; over-10 follows adult rules. |
| France passport / visa | 35 × 45 mm | Eyes open, mouth closed for over-6. |
| China passport | 33 × 48 mm | Eyes open, no parent visible. |
| India passport | 35 × 35 mm | Eyes open, neutral when possible. |
| Canada passport | 50 × 70 mm | Eyes open, mouth closed when possible. |
| Australia passport | 35 × 45 mm | Eyes open, mouth closed when possible. |
| UAE Emirates ID | 35 × 45 mm | Eyes open, parent must not appear in frame. |
| Russia internal passport | 35 × 45 mm | Adult rules apply from age 14. |
| Japan passport | 35 × 45 mm | Mouth closed where possible. |
No parents in frame
Every listed authority requires the child to be photographed alone. A parent holding the child or a parent's hand visible in the frame is the single most common reason a child passport photo is rejected. Use a plain car seat or a chair against a plain wall.
Getting a 4-year-old to look at the camera
A small toy held just above the camera lens at the photographer's eye level reliably gets a 2–5 year old to look forward. The toy must not appear in the frame. A short reset between attempts works better than long takes.
Sleeping infants and toddlers
A sleeping baby is acceptable for most baby-passport routes (see the baby guide). For children over one year, the eyes must be open. If the child cannot stay awake during the appointment, reschedule rather than submit a closed-eyes photo.
Frequently asked questions
My child won't hold a neutral expression — will the photo be rejected?
Most authorities relax the strict neutral expression rule for under-6s. A relaxed face with mouth slightly open is generally accepted as long as the eyes are open and the face is clearly visible.
How often does a child passport photo need to be updated?
Child passports are issued for shorter validity periods than adult passports (typically 5 years vs 10), and the photo is the main reason. A child's appearance changes quickly — a passport photo more than 6 months old is often rejected at submission.
Can my child wear glasses?
The same rule as adults applies: glasses are strongly discouraged because of glare risk. Remove glasses before the shot if the child can manage the brief moment without them.
Related guides
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