Does Every Baby Need Their Own Passport?
Yes. In Australia, every person — including newborns — requires their own passport. There is no provision to include a child on a parent's passport. Each child's passport requires its own photo that meets the same core specifications as adult photos, with a few practical accommodations for very young babies.
Official Requirements for Baby Passport Photos
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 32 mm – 36 mm |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Eyes | Open and clearly visible |
| Expression | Neutral / calm (babies: relaxed face accepted) |
| Other persons | No parent hands, limbs, or clothing in shot |
| Head supports | Not visible in the final photo |
| Recency | Taken within last 6 months |
Important: The same 35×45 mm size and white background rules apply to babies as to adults. Requirements may change — confirm on the Australian Passport Office website.
Key Differences for Baby Photos
Eyes: Open Is Required, But There's Some Leniency
The official rule requires both eyes to be open and visible. For very young infants who cannot control their eyelids reliably, APO officers will generally accept a photo where eyes are clearly visible, even if not fully wide open. The eyes must not be deliberately or completely closed. Take many shots during alert moments to get a clear one.
Expression: Neutral Is the Goal
For adults, a strict neutral expression is required. For babies, a calm and relaxed face is acceptable. A gentle, natural expression is fine — just avoid open-mouthed crying, exaggerated smiling, or any expression that significantly distorts facial features.
No Other Persons in the Photo
A parent's hands, arms, or any other body part must not appear in the final photo. For babies who cannot sit independently, this requires some creativity — see the tips below.
Practical Tips for Photographing a Baby at Home
Setup for Newborns and Infants Who Cannot Sit
- Lay baby on a plain white bed sheet on the floor
- Stand directly above and shoot downward (top-down angle)
- Make sure the whole face is clearly visible from above
- Use natural window light — avoid direct sunlight or harsh flash
- Support the head carefully if needed, keeping hands out of frame
Setup for Babies Who Can Sit (6+ months)
- Place baby in a high chair or sit them against a white wall
- Have a helper stand to one side — just outside the camera frame
- Shoot at face level, not from above
- Use a plain white foam board or sheet as background
- Take 20–30 shots and select the clearest with eyes open
General Tips
- Photograph during a time when baby is well-fed and alert
- Remove bibs, hats, and accessories before photographing
- Use burst mode to capture the best expression
- Use AI background removal to replace any non-white background
Common Rejection Reasons for Baby Passport Photos
- Eyes are closed or not clearly visible
- Parent's hand, arm, or clothing visible in shot
- Background is not plain white (patterned sheet, coloured wall)
- Head is too small in the frame (below 32 mm of 45 mm height)
- Shadows across the face from harsh lighting
- Baby is wearing a hat or accessory
- Photo is blurry due to baby movement
- Crying or wide-open mouth expression
Using an AI Tool for Baby Passport Photos
Once you have a clear photo with eyes open and no other persons in frame, our AI tool can handle the rest: background removal and replacement with white, automatic 35×45 mm sizing at 300 DPI, and face centering. This is much easier than trying to set up a perfect white-background environment at home.
The AI tool requires a face to be clearly visible to process the photo. If the baby's face is at an angle or very small, it may not process correctly. Take the photo straight-on to the baby's face for best results.