A baby can't sit still, hold their head up, or look where you point. You don't need them to. You need a plain white background, even light, and a few tries.
Every US passport applicant needs their own photo, including newborns. The rules are the same as for adults, with a few allowances for babies.
What the rules allow for babies
- Eyes can be partly closed. The State Department says it's fine if a baby's eyes aren't fully open. Toddlers and older children need their eyes open.
- No one else in the photo. No hands holding the head, no arm at the edge of the frame, no parent's shoulder behind them.
- Full face visible. No pacifier, no bottle, no toy, no hat.
- Facing the camera. Head straight, not turned to the side.
- Neutral expression. A calm face. Crying, a wide-open mouth or a tongue out won't pass.
- Plain white or off-white background, with no shadows on the face.
- Taken in the last six months. Babies change fast, so take it close to when you apply.
Two setups that work
Setup 1: Baby lying on a white sheet
This works best for newborns and young babies.
- Lay a plain white sheet on a bed or the floor. Pull it smooth so there are no folds or creases.
- Lay your baby on their back in the middle of the sheet.
- Stand over them and hold your phone flat, directly above their face. Keep the phone parallel to the sheet, not tilted.
- Check for your own shadow. Shooting from above is where most baby photos go wrong. Stand so the window light falls across the baby, not behind you.
- Take lots of photos. Pick the one where the face is straight and calm.
Setup 2: Car seat covered with a white sheet
This works well for older babies who can hold their head up.
- Drape a plain white sheet over the car seat so it covers the back and sides behind the head.
- Place your baby in the seat and buckle them in.
- Face them toward a window for soft, even light.
- Hold the phone at their eye level, about 3 to 4 feet away.
- Get someone to stand behind you and catch their attention. A sound works better than a waving hand.
Light is the hard part
Even light on the face matters more than anything else. A few things help:
- Use daylight from a window. Avoid direct sun.
- Turn off overhead lights. They throw shadows under the eyes and nose.
- Don't use the flash. It causes red eye and harsh shadows.
- If one side of the face is darker, hold a white pillowcase or piece of paper on that side to bounce some light back.
Check it before you print
Once you have a photo you like, run it through the checker. Pick Baby passport at the top. It measures head size and checks the background and lighting on your phone. Your photo stays on your device.
Then download the 4x6 print sheet and print it at a pharmacy kiosk. See how to print a 2x2 photo on a 4x6 sheet.
Your questions, answered
Can I hold my baby for the photo?
Not in a way that shows. No hands, arms or other people can appear in the frame. Use one of the two setups above instead.
My baby's eyes are half closed. Is that okay?
For a baby, yes. The rule allows it. Once a child is a toddler, their eyes need to be open.
Can I edit out a shadow or brighten the background?
No. The State Department asks for an unedited photo and checks for digital changes. Fix the light and take a new photo.
Does my newborn really need a photo?
Yes. Every applicant needs one, whatever their age.
Rules change. Check the State Department's passport photo page before you submit.
Your questions, answered
Can FormFitPhoto guarantee acceptance?
No. It flags common issues and helps you prepare; the issuing office makes the final decision.
Does the checker upload my photo?
No. The photo is processed in your browser and is not sent to FormFitPhoto.
By FormFitPhoto · Reviewed October 9, 2026. Requirements reference: US Department of State. This independent guide is not government approval.