One of the most important parts of obtaining your passport without a hitch is ensuring that your passport photos meet certain requirements. Although these requirements are pretty straightforward for adults, it’s crucial that you understand what the requirements are for a child’s passport photo, too. Knowing these requirements can help guarantee that you send in a quality photo so that your child can obtain their passport in time for your trip.
Ready to learn more? Read on for everything you need to know about child passport photos, including requirements and tips.
Child Passport Photo Requirements
There are a number of child passport photo requirements that you will need to be aware of when taking your child’s picture. If these are not met, your child’s passport application may be delayed, and you could risk not receiving it in time for your travels. Below are some of the prevalent photo requirements for passport photos that you should keep in mind:
- Take the photo in front of a white or off-white background.
- Ensure that your child’s face isn’t covered by anything.
- Have your child face the camera and look directly at the camera.
- Whatever photo you submit must have been taken within the last 6 months.
- Do not submit a photo in which shadows are blocking your child’s face.Â
- Remove your child’s glasses before taking their photo.
- Try to make sure that your child’s head is centered in the middle of the photo.
- No other person should be in the photo other than your child.
- Ensure that your child’s photo isn’t blurry.
- Do not get too close to your child’s face when taking the photo. Instead, take the photo so that you can see their whole head.
Child Passport Photo Tips
1. Hold a Toy Above Your Camera
If you’re finding it hard to get your child to look directly at the camera, one trick we recommend is holding their favorite toy right above your camera. Doing so will get your child to look right at the camera so that you have some time to snap their picture before they look away. If you don’t have a toy to use, try calling your child’s name and see if they look your way.
2. Lay Your Child on a White Sheet or Blanket
If you have really young children who aren’t able to sit up or stand just yet, it may be hard to take a photo of them with a white or off-white background. If you aren’t sure what to do, we have you covered! Lay down a white sheet or blanket flat onto your bed, and then place your child on it lying on their back. This way, when you snap their photo, they will have a white background behind them!
3. Stand a Few Feet Away From Your Child
One mistake that we frequently see people make when taking their child’s passport photo is that they stand too close to them. This can cause shadows to form on your child’s face, making the photo unusable. So, before snapping your photo, take a few steps back and then take their photo. If you’re taking a photo of your child and they are lying on their back, consider standing on a chair so that you’re far enough away.
4. Find Natural Lighting
Artificial lighting can be harsh on your face and sometimes doesn’t show up well in photographs. So if you can, try and find some natural light to take your child’s photo in front of. For example, you could take the photo in front of a glass door or window, or if the weather permits it, take your child outside, lay them on a white sheet, and take their photo from above. Â
5. Get Your Child’s Passport Photo Printed at a Store
Last but not least, it’s important that you get your child’s passport photo printed professionally at a store. Although you may have a printer in your house, it may not be high enough quality to print your child’s passport photo. Stores usually have high-quality printers and paper to print your photo onto, allowing you to simply send them your photo and let them do the rest of the work for you.
Snapping the perfect passport photo for your child is actually quite simple once you understand the requirements. Just follow along with the tips listed above, and before you know it, you’ll have a quality photo that you can use for your child’s passport. Once you have their photo ready to go, you can start the application process for your child’s passport by going to our website. Further, if you have any questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to contact us. No matter where you plan on going, we’ll get you there!
