The rules are more forgiving for infants
- A neutral expression isn’t required — a baby doesn’t need to pose.
- Eyes open is preferred, but closed eyes are often accepted for newborns (varies by country).
- No hands, arms, toys, pacifiers, or other people may appear in the frame.
- The background must still be plain, and the head still has to be sized and positioned to spec.
How to shoot it at home
Lay your baby on their back on a plain white sheet or blanket and take the photo from directly above, holding the phone parallel to them. Make sure your own hands and arms are out of the frame. Use soft, even light from a window and avoid shadows.
If they’re old enough to sit up, hold them against a plain wall with your hands behind them and out of shot. Either way, take plenty of tries — you only need one to work.
We handle the framing and background
Upload the photo and we crop and center it to the infant spec for your country and replace the background with a compliant color. If a hand or object is in the frame, our checker flags it so you can retake. Checking is free, so try as many shots as you need.
Frequently asked
Can a baby’s eyes be closed in a passport photo?
For newborns and young infants, closed eyes are often accepted because they can’t keep them open on cue — though eyes open is preferred where possible. The exact tolerance varies by country.
How do I take a newborn passport photo at home?
Lay your baby on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above, keeping your hands out of frame. We then crop, center, and set the background to meet the infant rules.
Can I hold my baby in the photo?
Only if your hands and arms are completely out of the frame — no one else may be visible. Our check flags visible hands so you can retake.
Does my baby need a neutral expression?
No. The neutral-expression and mouth-closed rules are relaxed for infants. The main requirements are a plain background, no one else in frame, and correct head framing.