UK passport photos for babies and young children

Taking a passport photo of a baby or young child can take several attempts. The core rules still apply, but GOV.UK allows specific exceptions for very young children.

The rules that still apply

The child must be the only person visible in the picture. There should be no toys, dummies, hands or other objects in the frame. Use a plain light-coloured background, balanced lighting and a clear colour image.

The photograph should be recent and a good likeness of the child.

Exceptions for children under six

Children under six do not have to look directly at the camera or keep a plain expression. This makes it easier to capture a natural, clear image without forcing a very young child to pose like an adult.

Try to keep the child's full face visible and choose the sharpest photograph from a short sequence.

Exceptions for babies under one

A baby under one does not have to have their eyes open. You may support the baby's head with your hand, but your hand must not be visible in the final photograph.

GOV.UK suggests laying a baby on a plain light-coloured sheet and taking the photo from above. Smooth out folds where possible and remove toys, blankets with patterns and dummies from the frame.

A simple way to take the photo

Choose a time when the child is settled and the room has plenty of soft daylight. For a baby, place a plain sheet on a safe, flat surface and stand directly above without casting a shadow. For an older child, use a plain wall and hold the camera at their face height.

Use a fast shutter or your phone's standard photo mode rather than portrait effects. Take several pictures in quick succession so you can select one without motion blur.

Check every edge of the image

Before uploading, check that:

• the child is alone in the frame
• no supporting hand, toy or dummy is visible
• the whole face can be seen clearly
• the image is sharp and has natural colour
• there are no shadows on the face or background
• the background is plain and light-coloured

You can then prepare the digital photo and review the result. HM Passport Office makes the final decision on every application.

For the latest wording and examples, read the GOV.UK guidance for digital passport photos, including its section on babies and children.