2 × 2 inches
Print at 51 × 51 mm. Head height, from bottom of chin to top of head: 1–1⅜ inches (25–35 mm). Center the head and shoulders.
A SMALL PHOTO. A BIG FIRST STEP.
Newborn passport photo,
made a little easier.
A calm way to crop your baby’s photo for a US paper passport.
Start at home. Adjust the fit. Print when you’re ready.
Photos stay on your device Free to use 2 × 2 inch print size
YOUR PHOTO WORKSPACE
US · PAPER APPLICATIONSSmall adjustments. Ready-to-print photos.
PHOTO PREVIEW2 × 2 in
a little face, a big adventure
Your baby’s first passport photo starts here.
Choose a photo to see your crop previewChin target zone · 1–1⅜″
Your photo is never uploaded.
1
Choose your photo
A clear face, a plain light background, and a little room around the head.
JPG, PNG or WebP · No account needed
For HEIC, save as JPG if your browser cannot open it.
Ready whenever you are.
Head size: waiting for photoTarget: 1–1⅜ inches from crown to chin
Background check appears after you choose a photo.
3
Save & print
600 dpi · No guides on downloads
Print at actual size, then check with a ruler.
Automatic placement is a starting point. Check both guides yourself. A size check does not check all photo requirements or predict acceptance. We don’t remove or replace backgrounds.
THE ESSENTIALS
US infant passport photo rules,
at a glance.
The same small square.
A few baby-friendly exceptions.
Soft light. Plain background.
Use a white or off-white background with no shadows on the face. Lay baby on a plain sheet, or cover a car seat with one.
A baby can be a baby.
Eyes need not be fully open and may be closed. Face the camera with a neutral expression and full face visible. No pacifier, toys, other people or visible hands.
Also check: color photo, taken within the last 6 months; no glasses or head covering; sharp detail; matte or glossy photo-quality paper. Religious or medical exceptions to coverings require the documentation described in the source guidance. Avoid filters, retouching and background edits.
Infant head tilt is acceptable and the head may be discreetly supported under 8 FAM 402.1 infant photo guidance; keep support and all hands outside the frame.
Rules checked Nov 1, 2026 — always confirm on the State Department page before you apply.
U.S. Department of State photo requirements ↗ · Page last updated March 24, 2026
A FEW THINGS YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING
Little questions, clear answers.
Can a newborn’s eyes be closed in a passport photo?
Yes. For babies, eyes do not need to be fully open and may be closed. The face must still be fully visible and facing the camera, with no shadows or other people in the photo.
What size is a US infant passport photo?
The paper photo is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). The head, from bottom of chin to top of head, must be 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm). The same paper size applies to newborns and adults.
Can I hold my baby for the photo?
Use a white or off-white sheet, or a car seat covered with one. No other person or hands may be visible. Infant guidance allows discreet head support and some head tilt; keep the full face visible.
Does my baby’s photo leave my device?
No. The selected photo is read and processed in your browser. Face detection files are served from this site, and the photo is never sent to a server. There are no analytics or advertising scripts currently.
How do I print the 4×6 sheet at the right size?
Print on 4 × 6 inch matte or glossy photo-quality paper at actual size, 100%, with fit-to-page and automatic corrections off. Measure the 1-inch check line and both 2-inch photo edges with a ruler before cutting.
Does a green head-size check mean the photo will be accepted?
No. It only checks the distance between the two guide lines. You must correct the estimated head top and chin, then check lighting, background, pose, image quality and physical print size yourself.