UK passport photos requirements for babies/children

Many countries have different requirements for passport photos of babies and children under a certain age. For example, the official specification of the UK's Identity and Passport Service (IPS) lists the following requirements for children:

Photographs of children five years and under must show a clear image that is a true likeness of the child. Because young children can be difficult to photograph, children aged five and under do not need to have a neutral expression. We will also accept glare on glasses or pictures with their head at an angle. Also, children aged five and under do not need to look directly at the camera.

Babies under one year do not need to have their eyes open. All other standards must be met. If the baby's head needs to be supported, it is important that your supporting hand cannot be seen. To support the baby's head, you should hold your hand behind the baby's head so that it cannot be seen int he photograph.

Photographs for all children aged six and over must meet the full standards set out above, with the following exception. That is, photographs of children under 11 may show a head size between 21mm and 34mm high, instead of the adult requirement of 29mm to 34mm high.


ePassportPhoto.com helps you create passport photos for babies and children in the following ways:

  1. When you select a specific photo format on the front page, be sure to specify "Passport – under 11" if your child is under 11 years old. When you select this option, the system will adjust the requirements to make it easier for you to make the selection in the second step of the wizard.
  2. Unlike passport photo booths and photo shops, you can take as many pictures as you want with your digital camera. For example, your partner can support the baby's head while you take the picture, and you can try several times until you get it right. In fact, some people have used this site with photos that were taken with the baby lying down on a white surface. Interesting…