UK baby passport photo: top tips to get it right the first time
Quick read - for people in a hurry
- Baby must face forward with a neutral expression, and mouth closed.
- Eyes open (under 1 year old may have eyes closed).
- Plain, light background; no toys, pacifiers, or hands visible.
- Size: 45mm × 35mm; head height 29–34mm; provide 2 identical photos.
- From home, Smartphone iD is the easiest option for baby passport photos.
Planning your first adventure with your little one? You’ll likely need a baby passport to ensure smooth travel. But completing your baby’s passport application might leave you wondering: “Do I need a specific UK baby passport photo?”
We have compiled the main requirements in this list, so your child’s passport application will not be declined due to an invalid photo.
Last Update: 30/09/2025
Table of contents
1 What are the requirements for a UK baby passport photo?
2 Examples of accepted and rejected baby passport photos
3 Where to get baby passport photos in the UK?
4 Passport photo validity for babies
5 Baby Passport Photo Costs in the UK
6 Tips to Take Baby Passport Photos at Home
7 5 mistakes to avoid on your baby’s passport photo
8 Passport photo of your baby with your phone with our tool?
9 UK Passport Photos For your baby, newborn, or child with Smartphone iD – What you will get?
What are the requirements for a UK baby passport photo?
- When taking the picture, you should consider the background and frame to ensure that it is uniform and a close-up of the entire neck, head, and upper shoulder.
- The body and face of the baby should be facing straight at the camera.
- The head should always be straight.
- Half-profile photographs of the baby will not be approved in the UK.
- Parents should not make their babies smile in the photo, and they must not tilt their heads when taking the photo.
- The baby’s eyes should be open during the photo session, and the mouth closed.
- The UK takes the process of issuing a passport seriously; hence, the baby’s face needs to be visible at all angles, especially eyebrows and the oval. Therefore, it is crucial to keep the baby’s hair away from the face.
- Also, no head cover of any sort is allowed in the photo.
- Tinted glasses are not allowed in a UK passport photo
Size and Dimensions
- Standard Dimensions: 45mm x 35mm (width x height).
- The baby’s head must be between 29mm and 34mm in height from the chin to the crown.
- The photo must be in portrait orientation, not landscape.
Examples of accepted and rejected baby passport photos
To help you understand what makes a suitable passport photo for your baby, we’ve provided examples of both accepted and rejected photos.
Please note that the dimensions of these baby ID photos are not exact; they are provided for illustrative purposes only.
Below, you’ll find some examples of accepted baby passport photos by the UK passport office:
Baby Passport Photos: Accepted and Rejected- Example 1
From left to right: Good ID photo, dark background, holding a toy
Reasons for Rejection and Our Advice
- Holding a toy: The baby must not hold any toy or object in their hands.
- Non-uniform or overly dark background: The background must be light, uniform, and shadow-free.
Baby Passport Photos: Accepted and Rejected- Example 2
From left to right: The child crying, hand in front of the face, open mouth, good ID photo.
Reasons for Rejection and Our Advice
- Looking Away: The baby must face forward and look directly at the camera lens.
- Inappropriate Expression: The baby must have a neutral expression—no crying, laughing, or frowning.
- Open Mouth: The baby’s mouth must be closed in the photo. An open mouth is not acceptable.
Baby ID Photos: Accepted and Rejected- Example 3
From left to right: Good ID photo, pacifier in mouth, hand in front of the baby’s body.
Reasons for Rejection and Our Advice
- Object in the Mouth: Pacifiers, bottles, or any other objects in the baby’s mouth are not allowed.
- Visible Hands: The baby’s hands, parents’ hands, or any other hands should not appear in the photo
Where to get baby passport photos in the UK?
Smartphone iD offers a convenient and professional solution for capturing the perfect images for your child’s passport application. Get approved baby passport photos from home using our online ID photo tool now!
We guarantee government approval, or you’ll get a full refund. Our app saves you time, money, and hassle with your baby passport photos.
While several services provide baby passport photos in the UK, such as photo studios, photo shops like Asda, Timpson, post offices, and photo booths like Max Spielmann, getting your baby to pose for a photo in these settings can be challenging.
Passport photo validity for babies
Passport photos for babies under one year old are valid until the passport expires (five years). However, the UK government is more lenient with baby photos because appearances change rapidly. Parents are not usually required to renew the photo before the passport expires.
By ensuring that your baby’s passport photo meets the official requirements and is updated as needed, you can avoid any delays or complications when traveling with your little one.
Baby Passport Photo Costs in the UK
Generally, the cost of a baby passport photo in the UK starts from around £8. However, you may pay more if you go to a professional photographer. Choosing the Smartphone iD tool provides a competitive price for high-quality passport photos.
Tips to Take Baby Passport Photos at Home
Taking your baby’s passport photo at home can be quick and easy as long as you follow a few simple guidelines. Here are our top tips:
- Make sure the photo is taken against a plain, light-coloured background. A white wall or sheet is ideal.
- The baby should be facing the camera directly, with a clear view of their face. You can dangle a toy in front of the camera to keep their attention for the photo.
- Ensure there is plenty of light, but avoid direct flash, as this can cause glare. Natural light is best.
- Use a ruler or other straight edge to help keep the baby’s head in a level position. This will ensure the photo meets the requirements for passport photos.
- Take the photo from directly above the baby so the head is not cut off in the frame.
- Make sure the baby’s mouth is closed, and no objects are obscuring their face.
5 mistakes to avoid on your baby’s passport photo
When taking your baby’s passport photo, there are several common mistakes that you should be aware of to ensure your photo is accepted:
- Busy or patterned background: Ensure that the background is plain and light-colored, without any distracting patterns or objects.
- Incorrect head size or positioning: Your baby’s head should be centered in the photo and occupy between 29mm and 34mm from the bottom of their chin to the top of their head.
- Obscured facial features: Make sure that your baby’s face is clearly visible, without any clothing, accessories, or toys obscuring their features.
- Inappropriate facial expressions: Your baby should have a neutral expression in the photo, with their eyes open and mouth closed. Avoid photos where your baby is crying, smiling, or making other exaggerated expressions.
Poor lighting or low-quality images: Use a well-lit environment and a high-quality camera to ensure that your baby’s passport photo is clear, sharp, and meets the necessary resolution requirements.
Passport photo of your baby with your phone with our tool?
Use Smartphone iD service at the most convenient time when your baby is in a good mood. Send us the photo and we will verify if it can be accepted. After photo straightening, background removal, and format adaptation, a fit photo with the UK Digital photo code will be sent to your email. Use this code on the official website.
Use our online passport photo tool for quick and easy baby passport photos:
- Select the UK as the country for the passport photo and click the “Take a Photo” button.
- Follow the instructions provided by Smartphone iD to capture a compliant passport photo of your baby.
- Choose your delivery option: Have the photo emailed to your inbox or printed and mailed to your home.
It’s that simple!
You should follow these steps
- Choose a location with ample natural light.
- Place a white sheet on a flat surface to lay your baby on.
- Place your camera phone around 1 to 1.5 meters away from your baby.
- Take the photo from directly above your baby, ensuring that the entire head and face are visible in the frame.
It’s important to ensure that the photo meets the requirements for passport photos, such as having a plain background and a clear, focused image of the face. Additionally, make sure that your baby’s eyes are open and visible in the photo.
UK Passport Photos For your baby, newborn, or child with Smartphone iD – What you will get?
1. Photo template of 6 official passport photos
Our tool allows you to create a photo template containing up to six official baby passport photos that fully comply with current standards.
2. Photo template of 4 official passport photos with a photo code
In addition to the option of six photos, our tool also offers a photo template with four official images, associated with a unique photo code. You can create a photo for your driver’s license with a photo code (digital code).
This feature facilitates secure digital use and meets modern identity data security requirements.
3. Acceptance guarantee
We are proud to offer an acceptance guarantee for photos taken with our tool.
We use a combination of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and human expertise, to carefully check each photo.
This rigorous verification guarantees that the photos fully comply with the required identity standards.
With our service, you can be sure to get high-quality identity photos that meet the strictest standards and are ready to be used with confidence in various official applications.
Use Smartphone iD, our Online ID photo available on Apple or Google Play Store. You will get 100% guaranteed photos in a matter of minutes.
FAQ
Do babies’ eyes need to be open for a passport photo?
Babies under one year old are not required to have their eyes open. Closed or partially open eyes are acceptable.
Are babies allowed to smile in passport photos?
No. Babies, like adults, should have a neutral expression—no smiling, laughing, or frowning.
Can babies’ hands be in the passport photo?
No, babies’ hands should not be in the passport photo. The photo should only show the baby’s head and shoulders. If you need to support the baby’s head, you can do so with your hand, but your hand must not be visible in the photo.
Can I take my baby’s passport photo myself?
Yes, you can take your baby’s passport photo yourself, as long as you follow the official requirements and guidelines and use our easy-to-use app Smartphone iD.
How to print a baby passport photo?
If you take your baby’s passport photo yourself, you will need to print it on high-quality photographic paper. You cannot print the photo at home using a standard printer. You can take the photo to a photo printing shop, print the ready template at Boots, or use our online printing service to have them printed and delivered to your address within a few days.
How to dress a baby for a passport photo?
It is best to dress your baby in a plain, light-colored top for their passport photo. Avoid clothing with stripes, patterns, or logos, as these can be distracting. You should also avoid clothing with shadows or reflections.
How many photos do I need for a baby passport?
You will need two identical passport photos for your baby’s passport application.
Where can I get baby passport photos near me?
There are many places where you can get baby passport photos taken. You can go to a photo booth, a professional photographer, or an online passport photo service like Smartphone iD.
Sources
- https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7e2f0140f0b62302689b37/Photoguidance_v7.pdf
- https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport
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