Baby and infant document photo rules for passports and visas
Newborn and infant document photos use the same physical size as adult photos but with significantly relaxed expression, eye-position and head-position rules. This guide covers the practical handling for babies aged 0–24 months across major passport-issuing countries.
Quick answer
Same size, eyes open ideal, sleeping accepted at most routes
Same biometric size as adults. Eyes open and looking at the camera is the gold standard. A sleeping baby is accepted by the US Department of State, HMPO and most Schengen states. No parent visible in the frame. Plain light background, baby alone.
Why baby photos are harder than expected
A baby cannot hold a head position, cannot look at a camera on command, and cannot keep a neutral expression. Every authority listed here accepts that — but the photo still has to meet biometric size, background and lighting rules. The result is a process that needs more attempts and more patience than an adult photo.
The most practical approach for newborns under 3 months is a plain white sheet on the floor, the baby placed on their back, and the camera held directly above. Many parents repeat this shoot twice a day for a week before getting a frame that passes the biometric check.
Baby photo rule by route
| Country / route | Sleeping baby accepted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States passport | Yes | US State Dept explicit on sleeping infants. |
| United Kingdom passport | Yes | HMPO: under-1 may have eyes closed; mouth closed preferred. |
| Schengen visa | Yes for under-1 | EU Council practical rule: eyes open when possible. |
| Germany passport | Yes | Federal Foreign Office explicit. |
| France passport / visa | Yes | France-Visas: under-12 months can have eyes closed. |
| China passport | Eyes open required | NIA: eyes must be open even for infants. |
| India passport | Yes for under-1 | Bureau of Immigration practical rule. |
| Canada passport | Yes | IRCC explicit. |
| Australia passport | Yes | DFAT explicit. |
| UAE Emirates ID | Eyes open preferred | ICP: eyes open where possible. |
| Russia internal passport | N/A for infants | Internal passport not issued for infants; foreign passport handles infants. |
| Japan passport | Yes | MFA Japan: eyes open when possible. |
The white sheet method
Lay a plain white sheet flat on the floor in a well-lit room. Place the baby on their back on the sheet, head centred, arms naturally at their sides. Hold the camera directly above the baby's face at about 60 cm. The resulting frame has a clean plain background and even diffuse lighting from the room.
No hands or parent visible
The most common baby-photo rejection across every listed authority is a parent's hand visible behind the baby's head or under the baby's chin. Use a rolled towel as support if needed — the towel must be the same colour as the background.
When sleeping is allowed and when it is not
Sleeping is accepted by the US State Dept, HMPO, IRCC, DFAT and most Schengen states for babies under 12 months. China and the UAE prefer eyes open even for newborns; plan extra appointments if the baby cannot stay awake during the shoot.
Frequently asked questions
Can my baby's eyes be closed in a US passport photo?
Yes for infants. The US State Department explicitly accepts a sleeping baby photo when the infant is too young to be awake on demand. The other rules — plain background, no parent visible, biometric size — still apply.
My baby won't stop crying during the shoot — will the photo work?
A crying baby with the mouth fully open is usually rejected because the lip-line shifts and the chin geometry distorts. Try the shoot 30 minutes after a feed when the baby is calm. Some studios that specialise in newborn photos can produce a usable frame in a single session.
How long is a baby passport valid?
Most countries issue baby passports for shorter validity (3–5 years) compared to adult passports (10 years). The reason is the rate of appearance change — a baby photo taken at 3 months is unrecognisable from the same child at 18 months.
Related guides
Prepare your document photo now
Upload a portrait — Anfas.Pro applies the rules from this guide automatically against the selected country and document profile.