Baby & Infant Rules
Baby passport photos use the same 2x2 inch standard as adult photos. A baby’s eyes do not need to be entirely open, but the baby must face the camera with a neutral expression and the full face visible. Here is what is and is not allowed.
Last reviewed July 21, 2026 against current U.S. State Department guidance.
| Factor | Infant Rule | Adult Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes | Need not be entirely open | Must be open |
| Expression | Neutral | Neutral |
| Facing camera | Required | Required |
| Size & background | 2x2 inch, white — same as adult | 2x2 inch, white |
| Hands / supports | Must not be visible in frame | N/A |
A baby passport photo must meet the same core US State Department standard as any other: 2x2 inches, in color, on a plain white or off-white background, with the face centered and in focus. What changes for babies is the expression and eye rules.
The State Department says a baby’s eyes do not need to be entirely open. The baby must still face the camera with a neutral expression and the full face visible. All other children must have their eyes open.
Most baby photo rejections come from extra objects in the frame rather than the baby itself. Anything that hides the face or appears alongside the child can cause a rejection.
The most common culprits: a pacifier or bottle, a bow or headband, a hat, a parent's hand or arm steadying the baby, a toy, or the edge of a patterned blanket. The baby should appear alone against a plain background.
The right technique depends on whether the baby can sit up yet. Match the method to the age and the photo gets much easier.
Beyond stray objects, the technical issues that fail infant photos are usually shadows, a tilted head, or the baby positioned off-center. Photographing from an angle instead of straight on distorts the face and is a frequent cause of rejection.
Soft, even light from a window works best. Direct overhead flash creates harsh shadows on the sheet, and side lighting leaves half the face dark.
The hardest parts of a baby passport photo — a perfect white background and an exact 2x2 crop — are exactly what FastPassPhoto automates. You do not need a white wall or a steady, cooperative baby; you just need one clear shot of the face.
Take several quick photos during a calm moment, upload the best one, and FastPassPhoto removes the background, crops to 2x2, and checks compliance — including the relaxed eye rules for children under one year. You get a digital file for online applications plus a print sheet, with a money-back guarantee.
A baby passport photo must be 2x2 inches, recent, clear, centered, and on a plain white or off-white background. A baby’s eyes do not need to be entirely open, but the baby must face the camera with a neutral expression and the full face visible. No hands, pacifiers, toys, bows, hats, or visible supports can appear.
A baby’s eyes do not need to be entirely open. The baby must still face the camera and have the full face visible. All other children must have their eyes open.
No. Bows, headbands, hats, and other hair accessories must be removed. The baby's head should be bare so nothing covers or frames the face.
Use a neutral expression with the full face visible. Avoid an open mouth, exaggerated expression, pacifier, bottle, or anything else that blocks part of the face.
No. Pacifiers, bottles, and anything in or near the mouth are not allowed at any age, including newborns.
You can support the baby, but no hands, arms, or supports can be visible in the final image. The easiest method is to lay the baby on a white sheet and photograph from directly above.
The same 2x2 inches (600x600 pixels) as an adult photo. A baby's smaller head means more white space around it, which is normal and correct.
Lay a newborn on a plain white sheet and shoot from above; for a baby who can sit up, use a car seat draped with a white sheet and shoot from the front. Bright, even window light works best.
Within 6 months, same as adults — but because babies change appearance quickly, take it as close to the application date as possible.
Yes. A clear phone photo of the baby's face is enough. Upload it to FastPassPhoto and the background, crop, and sizing are handled for you, including the relaxed eye rules for under one year.