Passport Photos (), and if you’re in the UK. It’s worth checking the guidelines on the official government websites as they can change: U.S. Children under 1 also don’t have to have their eyes open, though if someone is supporting their head with a hand, that hand is not allowed to be visible. The posing restrictions for children under 6, however, are a little less stringent – the child doesn’t have to look straight at the camera or maintain a neutral expression. Official advice suggests that very young infants are placed on a plain light-coloured sheet and photographed from above. If you’re taking a passport photo of a young child they have to be the only person in the photo – you can’t prop them up in your lap.
The official rules state ‘no glare off glasses’, though if you wear glasses you’re probably best off just removing them entirely – you also can’t wear tinted glasses or sunglasses. Though official rules state you cannot wear anything that covers your head, there is an exemption if the covering is worn for religious or medical reasons.
There should be no shadows on the face, no hair in the face, no facial-coverings and, if printing on photo paper, the images must have no tears, creases or marks. The photo should also have been taken in the last month – so you won’t be able to use an old photo that you happen to have on your computer. A neutral expression with closed mouth, no red-eye, clear and sharp focus, with a plain cream/grey background, posed face-on to the camera, are all mandatory. The criteria for eligibility are quite stringent, but easily achieved. Then follow our guide to get the best results! Check these sites for guidance for the UK and links for the USA before taking your own passport photos. It’s vital, though, to avail yourself of the rules set out by the government of your country, wherever you are. You can also submit passport photos digitally one no longer has to print the photos. Our money-saving guide shows you how to shoot your own passport sized photos quickly and easily at home…