How to Take a Baby & Infant Passport Photo at Home (Indian Rules)
By Shrikant Yadav • Baby passport-photo capture guide • Editorial review: September 2026
To take a clear baby passport-style photo at home, use a safe flat setup appropriate for the child's age, soft even light, and a plain background if the application asks for one. Capture several sharp frames while the child is calm, then use PhotocopyWale to crop and prepare the image to the dimensions you have verified. Baby and child-photo rules can include exceptions, so check the current official instructions for the specific passport or travel document before editing.
1. The Laying Down Method (Best for Newborns Under 6 Months)
Newborn babies cannot hold their heads upright. The safest and most effective technique is the floor or bed method:
- Spread a smooth white bedsheet or blanket over a firm bed or mattress near a sunlit window.
- Lay the baby on their back facing straight upwards with arms naturally at their sides.
- Stand directly over the baby (ensuring your shadow does not fall on the baby's face).
- Hold a soft rattle or toy directly above the camera lens to capture the baby's direct eye gaze.
2. The Car Seat / High Chair Method (6-18 Months)
For older infants who can sit up, drape a plain white towel or bedsheet completely over a baby car seat or high chair. Secure the baby and take the photo from 4-5 feet away at exact eye height.
3. Baby Passport Photo Requirements to Verify
| Requirement | Adult Standard | Baby Under 1 Year Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| Mouth Expression | Check current rule | Slightly parted lips allowed |
| Eye Gaze | Straight into Lens | Relaxed if facing forward |
| Supporting Hands | Check current rule | Keep helpers out when required |
| Pacifiers / Toys | Prohibited | Prohibited (Remove before shoot) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take a passport photo of a newborn or infant under 6 months at home?
Lay the baby comfortably on their back on a clean, smooth, plain white bedsheet. Stand directly above the baby (ensuring no shadow falls on their face) and capture when they look straight up.
Are parents allowed to hold the baby in the passport photo?
Parents' hands, arms, shoulders, or clothing must NOT appear anywhere in the photograph. If supporting the baby in a car seat, cover the seat completely with a plain white cloth.
Is it acceptable if a newborn's eyes are partially closed in an Indian passport photo?
Infant and baby photo rules can be more flexible than adult rules in some passport systems, especially around eye or mouth position. The age threshold and exception are authority-specific, so check the current child-photo guidance rather than relying on a general rule.
Are toys, pacifiers, or feeding bottles allowed in baby passport photos?
Keep the frame simple and free of unnecessary objects. Whether a pacifier, head covering, support, or other item is permitted is determined by the passport authority, so check the current child-photo instructions.
What is the required photo size for a child or infant passport in India?
The dimension is identical to adult passports: 35 mm × 45 mm (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm / 413 × 531 px @ 300 DPI) with a solid white background.
How do I print baby passport photos at home when printed copies are requested?
Use Photocopy Wale's A4 sheet generator to tile 30 copies of the baby's photo onto a single sheet of 200-240 GSM glossy paper and print at 100% actual size scale.
Author & Technical ReviewAuthored by Shrikant Yadav (https://shrikantyadav.com/). Infant requirements can differ from adult requirements and may change. Verify the current child-photo instructions from the passport authority receiving the application.
Create Your Baby's Passport Photo
Crop and clean your baby’s portrait to the dimensions and background requested by the passport application.
Open Passport Photo Studio