How to Take a Baby Passport Photo at Home: HMPO Requirements Explained

Can You Really Take a Baby Passport Photo at Home?

Yes — and for babies, taking the photo at home is often far easier than using a high street photo booth. Babies cannot sit independently, must keep their eyes open and their mouth closed, and cannot be positioned or prompted in the way an older child or adult can. A booth is simply impractical.

His Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO) allows passport photos to be printed at home or submitted digitally, provided they meet the exact technical requirements. Understanding those requirements before you start saves considerable time and frustration.

The HMPO Requirements for Baby Passport Photos

The formal requirements are published on GOV.UK and apply to all UK passport photos, including those for babies. The key requirements are:

Size: 35mm wide by 45mm tall. This is the standard UK passport photo size.

Head size: The baby's head (from crown to chin) must be between 29mm and 34mm in the final printed photo.

Background: Plain white or near-white background. There must be no patterns, shadows, or objects behind the baby.

Expression: The baby must have their eyes open and their mouth closed, with a neutral expression. No smiling is required (and in practice, impossible to demand of a baby), but the mouth must be closed.

Eyes: Both eyes must be visible, open, and looking straight at the camera (or straight ahead). The gaze does not need to be directly into the lens — babies often look slightly away — but both eyes must be clearly visible.

Lighting: Evenly lit, with no shadows on the face or background.

Quality: In focus, clear, not pixelated. No filters or alterations.

Age: The photo should be taken within the past month.

Adults: The photo must show only the baby — no adult hands, arms, or faces should be visible, even when supporting the baby.

This last requirement is the most practically challenging for babies who cannot yet hold their heads up independently.

The Best Method: The White Sheet Technique

The most reliable method for photographing a young baby — particularly one who cannot yet sit — is to photograph them from above while they lie on a white surface.

What you need:

• A plain white bed sheet, white pillowcase, or piece of white card large enough to be the entire background
• Good natural light (near a window, but not in direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows)
• A smartphone or digital camera
• A second person to help, if possible

Step by step:

1. Lay the white sheet on a flat surface — a bed, sofa, or floor. Ensure the sheet is completely smooth and free from creases or shadows.

2. Dress the baby in something that contrasts clearly with the white background — a coloured or dark-toned top works well. Avoid white clothing, which will blend into the background.

3. Place the baby on their back on the sheet. Support the head if necessary.

4. Stand directly above the baby, holding the camera or phone at arm's length, pointing directly down. The camera lens should be perpendicular to the baby's face — not at an angle.

5. Wait for a moment when both eyes are clearly open. For a newborn, this can take patience. Try between feeds when they are alert.

6. Take multiple photos. You will have a better selection to choose from, and the requirements are strict enough that only some photos will meet all of them.

7. Select the photo in which both eyes are open, the face is in focus, the mouth is closed, and there are no shadows on the face or background.

For Babies Who Can Sit Independently (Around 6+ Months)

For babies who can sit, you can use a white wall or white sheet as a backdrop and photograph from the front. Ensure:

• The baby is seated centrally in front of the background
• The background fills the entire frame behind them with no shadows
• You are at the same eye level as the baby (sit or crouch)
• The light source is in front of the baby, not behind (backlighting creates silhouettes)

Printing or Submitting Digitally

Printing: You can print your photos at home if you have a good quality photo printer, or take the image file to a pharmacy or supermarket photo printing service (Boots, Tesco, Asda, and Snappy Snaps all offer this) and ask for prints at the passport size specification (35x45mm). Ensure they are printed on actual photo paper, not standard printer paper.

Digital submission: When applying for a child's first passport online through GOV.UK, there is an option to upload a digital photo directly rather than sending a printed photo. The file must be:

• JPEG format
• Between 50KB and 10MB in file size
• At least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall (though a higher resolution is better)
• The digital image must meet all the same requirements as the printed version

The online application system includes an automated photo check that will flag obvious issues, though it is not infallible.

Common Rejection Reasons

HMPO rejects a significant proportion of passport photos. For baby photos, the most common reasons are:

Shadows on the face or background. This is the most frequent issue. Use diffuse, even light rather than direct flash or directional lamps. Natural daylight on an overcast day is ideal — it is even and creates no harsh shadows.

Adult hands or arms visible. If you need to support the baby's head, position your hands so they are completely hidden beneath the white sheet, or ask your partner to hold the baby in a lying position where their hands are not in frame.

Eyes not fully open. A patient, well-timed photograph is the only solution. Some parents find that their baby is most alert just after a feed; others find the first feed of the morning produces the most alert and cooperative baby.

Mouth open. Crying or mid-yawn photos are common. Take many photos and choose carefully.

Blurriness or pixelation. A modern smartphone camera is more than adequate. Ensure good lighting (low light causes camera shake and blur) and hold the camera still.

Head not straight. The baby's head should be upright and facing forward, not tilted to one side. This is easier to control with the overhead (lying-down) method.

Red eye from flash. Use natural light rather than flash where possible. Most camera apps have a red-eye reduction function if flash is unavoidable.

Applying for a Baby's First Passport

UK passport applications for children under 16 are made online at GOV.UK. You will need:

• The baby's birth certificate
• Details of both parents (including parent or guardian information)
• A countersignature from someone who has known you for at least two years, is a British passport holder, and is in a professional occupation — or you can use the digital countersignature service

The current processing time for standard applications is up to ten weeks. A fast-track or premium service is available if you need the passport more quickly — check current availability on GOV.UK.

With a little preparation, a home photograph that meets HMPO's requirements is well within reach — and infinitely more practical than wrestling a baby into a photo booth.