5 steps to take a baby passport photo right (the first time!)

When Peeper, who is now almost 5, was just a few months old, we planned a trip to the Bahamas, where my brother was about to be married. We were thrilled-slash-nervous about such a big overseas trip for our baby and set about prepping for Peeper’s first international vacation. Among all the things we had to do and plan, though, it was how to take a baby passport photo correctly that stumped us the most!

We ended up trying no fewer than three times to get an acceptable baby passport photo. Suffice to say, taking an acceptable passport photo was frustrating, time-consuming—and expensive. By the end of the ordeal, I was totally stressed out getting the photos to the federal government in time for Peeper to have her passport ready!

Here’s the good news: I’m here to share my 5 tips on how to take a baby passport photo right—the first time. After all, you don’t need the extra stress of wondering if your baby’s passport will be rejected ‘cause his eyes are closed!

US requirements for baby passport photos

According to the Department of State, your baby’s passport photo must:

• show your baby’s full face, with the photo taken head-on
• show only your baby—with no one else, or part of someone else, in the photo
• be taken with a white or off-white background
• be properly exposed (with no extra shadows)
• show a “neutral expression” on your baby
• conform to the size requirements, with baby’s head within the acceptable space
• be in focus
• not be obscured by any objects—e.g. pacifiers, hats, toys, hands, etc.

In addition, there have been other requirements in the past that the State Department doesn’t currently list—but I’d rather be safe than sorry and stick to these guidelines, too.

• show both ears
• show your baby’s open eyes
• not have your baby’s mouth open too much

The insanity of trying to take a good baby passport photo

Ok, you’re looking at this list and wondering how you’ll ever take a baby passport photo our government will accept. When is a baby’s facial expression neutral—except when she’s asleep? How do you get your baby to hold still for an in-focus passport photo? How do you find the time to follow all these requirements while simultaneously packing, planning your trip itinerary, investigating vaccinations and buying binkies in bulk because your kid will definitely throw every damn pacifier on the floor of the plane?

Deep breath.

You might not get it right the first time. (See our baby passport photo examples, above—only the one on the bottom right passed muster.)

Here’s how you’ll do it all for your upcoming international family vacation: You’re a bad-a mama who has this on lockdown. Read on to become a baby passport photo-taking pro.

5 steps for a perfect baby passport photo

Say cheese, Baby! Time to take your first passport photo!

1. Time it right.

Plan your photo session when your baby is going to be awake. Don’t wake your baby to take the picture—crying children def do not pass muster for passport photos.

2. Use a sheet.

Have your partner drape a white sheet over his chest and shoulder. With one hand under the sheet, cradle your baby’s head and keep her upright and facing the camera. Just make sure your fingers don’t accidentally cover the baby’s ears! (We did in one of our passport photos—and had to redo it.)

3. Lie your baby down.

Alternatively, you can lay your baby on the ground on top of a white sheet, or place a white sheet over her car seat and place her in there. If you do use a car seat, make sure the sides of it aren’t casting shadows on your baby’s face—that could get your baby passport photo rejected.

4. Take the passport photo somewhere reputable.

If you go someplace to take your baby passport photo, make them agree ahead of time to show you the photo before you pay for it. We had our original baby passport photo taken at Costco, and it turned out to have an orange hue. Well, that wouldn’t work because Peeper wasn’t jaundiced, thank goodness. We had to redo it.

5. Take the passport photo yourself.

The advantage to DIYing a baby passport photo is that you can take a million pictures and choose the best one that adheres to all the above requirements. The problem is cropping it to the exact dimensions you need. If you feel confident, go ahead and DIY, and make sure to print out on photo paper.

Bon voyage, jet-setting baby traveler!

Now that your infant has a passport, you’re ready for your international adventures! Don’t worry, the worst is behind you: After you managed to take an acceptable baby passport photo, flying internationally will be a breeze.

Right? Right.

Remember, mama: You got this. Bon voyage!

Have you had to take a passport photo for your baby? Do you have any tips—or warnings?