Do newborn passport photos need eyes open?
No. For infants under one year, the US State Department allows eyes to be closed. Eyes open is preferred but not required.
Infant Photo Guide
Newborn Passport Photo Requirements
The US State Department has specific accommodations for newborns and infants. Here is exactly what is required, what is allowed, and how to take a compliant photo of a baby at home.
- Eyes do not need to be open for infants under 1 year
- No pacifiers, hands, or toys visible in the photo
- Lay baby on a plain white sheet for the easiest shot
- Photo must still be 2x2 inches with correct head sizing
What makes infant passport photos different
The US State Department recognizes that infants cannot follow instructions for passport photos. Special accommodations apply for children under one year — but the photo still has to meet basic technical requirements like size, background, and head positioning.
The flexibility is in expression and eye position. The strict requirements are in framing and image quality.
The official infant passport photo rules
For children under one year, the State Department allows eyes to be closed and expressions can be neutral or slightly open-mouthed. The child does not need to be looking directly at the camera, though it is preferred.
What is not allowed: pacifiers in the mouth, bottles, hands visible in the frame, anyone holding the child where their hand is visible, or toys near the face. The child should appear alone in the photo.
- Eyes may be closed (under 1 year)
- Mouth may be slightly open
- No pacifiers, bottles, or toys in the photo
- No hands visible (including the photographer's hands)
- No props, headbands, or hair accessories
The easiest setup for a newborn photo
The simplest approach is to lay the baby on a plain white sheet or blanket. Use a bed or couch positioned near a window for natural light. Have a partner stand by to make sure the baby stays positioned correctly while you take the photo from directly above.
A newborn can be photographed while sleeping, which is often the easiest option. Use overhead natural light from a window rather than direct sunlight.
- Lay baby on a white sheet or blanket
- Position near a window for natural light
- Photograph from directly above
- Have someone nearby to support the baby out of frame
- A sleeping baby is fine and often easiest
For older infants
Once a child can sit up, the easier approach is to place them in a car seat covered with a white sheet. The car seat keeps them upright; the sheet creates the white background. Photograph from directly in front, not from above.
For children over one year, eyes need to be open and looking at the camera. This is the hardest part. Try having a partner stand behind you making funny faces or playing a sound to attract attention.
Common rejection reasons for infant photos
The most common rejection reasons are: hands visible in the frame (yours, while supporting the baby), shadows from the photographer leaning over, the baby positioned at an angle rather than face-up, and pacifiers or bottles in the photo.
Lighting issues are also common. Direct sunlight creates harsh shadows. Indoor lighting from the side creates uneven facial lighting. Soft, even natural light from above works best.
- Hands visible while supporting the baby
- Photographer's shadow on the baby
- Baby facing away from camera
- Pacifier or bottle in the photo
- Strong shadows from direct sunlight
- Background visible behind the baby
How FastPassPhoto handles infant photos
FastPassPhoto handles the background and sizing automatically, which removes the hardest parts of newborn photography. You do not need a perfect white wall behind the baby — just take a clear photo of the baby's face and FastPassPhoto handles the rest.
The AI specifically supports the relaxed eye-position rules for infants, so a closed-eye photo of a sleeping baby will pass compliance checks for children under one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hold my baby in their passport photo?
You can support the baby, but your hands or any part of your body cannot be visible in the final photo. The easiest setup is to lay the baby on a white sheet and photograph from above.
Can my baby use a pacifier in the passport photo?
No. Pacifiers, bottles, hands in the mouth, and toys near the face are not allowed at any age, including for newborns.
What size is a newborn passport photo?
The same 2x2 inches as adult passport photos. The smaller head of a newborn means the photo has more white space, which is correct.
How recent must a newborn passport photo be?
For infants, take the photo as close to the application date as possible because appearance changes quickly. The State Department allows photos taken within six months, but most parents apply within a week or two of taking the photo.