Baby passport photo & child passport photo – biometric photo for ID and passport

Babies and children also need a suitable biometric passport photo for identity documents. Taking photos is often more challenging than with adults because children do not sit still for long, look at the camera or maintain a neutral facial expression. This is why a professional photographer is particularly helpful.

Since May 1, 2025, passport photos for ID cards, passports and residence permits have been taken digitally and sent securely to the relevant authorities. Via alfo.passbild you can find photographers and photo retailers in your area who professionally take baby passport photos and children’s passport photos and provide them digitally for your appointment with the authorities.

When does my child need a biometric passport photo?

A biometric passport photo is required when applying for an identity document for a child. This includes, for example, passports, identity cards or other official documents with a photograph. A passport photo may also be required for babies when applying for their own ID document.

It is important that the passport photo fits the child and is up-to-date. The face of babies and small children in particular changes quickly. The photo should therefore be taken as soon as possible before the appointment with the authorities.

Baby passport photo: What is particularly important?

A baby passport photo is a special challenge. Babies are not always able to hold their own heads, do not look reliably into the camera and move around a lot. Nevertheless, the picture must meet certain requirements.

Certain simplifications apply to very young children. Nevertheless, the passport photo should be taken carefully so that it can be used at the Citizens’ Registration Office or passport authority without any problems.

Children’s passport photo: requirements according to age

In principle, biometric requirements apply to children. Depending on their age, however, there is more tolerance than with adults. Especially with babies and small children, it is understandable that not every requirement can be implemented exactly as with adults.

Age	Special features of the passport photo
Baby and toddler up to 5 years	Easier requirements. Image size, frontal view, sharpness, contrast, illumination, background and photo quality remain important.
Children from 6 to 9 years	Biometric requirements apply, but with age-related tolerances for facial height and eye area.
From the age of 10	The requirements are largely the same as for adults.

What size is a baby passport photo or child passport photo?

The passport photo size is also the same for babies and children: 35 x 45 mm. This corresponds to 3.5 x 4.5 cm. The photo is created in portrait format.

In addition to the size, the correct position of the face is important. There is more leeway with children, depending on their age, but the face must still be clearly recognizable. A photographer can choose the right framing and prepare the shot so that it meets the requirements as well as possible.

How a baby passport photo at the photographer works

A professional photographer takes the time to take the photo. A calm atmosphere is particularly important with babies and small children. Often several shots are taken until the right moment is found.

1. Search for a photographer nearby via alfo.passbild
2. Bring your baby or child to the photo session
3. Have your passport photo taken professionally
4. Check biometric requirements
5. Provide a digital passport photo securely to the authorities
6. Receive QR code or retrieval information for the appointment with the authorities

This means you are well prepared for your appointment at the Citizens’ Registration Office or Passport Office.

Tips for parents: How to get a better passport photo

A little preparation will make the photo session more relaxed. Especially with babies and small children, it helps to choose the right time.

• Choose a time when your child is well rested.
• Bring some time with you so that there is no rush.
• Avoid eye-catching patterns or very light-colored clothing directly on the face.
• The face should be visible.
• A familiar caregiver can have a calming effect on babies.
• Plan the photo as soon as possible before the appointment with the authorities.

A professional photographer is familiar with typical situations for passport photos of children and can support parents during the photo shoot.

What should a child wear for a passport photo?

Simple clothing without eye-catching patterns is suitable for a child’s passport photo. It is important that the face is clearly the center of attention. Collars, hoods, hats or large accessories should not cover the face.

Practical clothing makes sense for babies. It is important that the head and face are clearly visible and that there are no annoying shadows.

Can my baby laugh in the passport photo?

A neutral facial expression is required for adults. For babies and very young children, age-related deviations are more likely to be tolerated. Nevertheless, the face should be easily recognizable and the mouth should not be wide open.

In practice, a slightly relaxed expression is often better than an unsteady shot. The photographer decides together with the parents which image is most suitable.

Taking your own baby passport photo – does it make sense?

Many parents consider whether they can take a baby passport photo themselves. This may be possible for private purposes. For official ID documents, however, it is difficult because the size, image detail, background, lighting and digital transmission have to be right.

Since May 2025, secure digital provision to the authorities has also been crucial. A self-created photo cannot usually meet these requirements. That’s why a professional photo service provider is the safe choice.

Why a photographer makes sense for baby passport photos

A baby passport photo requires patience, experience and the right moment. A photographer makes sure that your child is well positioned, the face remains recognizable and the photo meets the applicable requirements.

In addition, the passport photo is provided digitally for the authorities. This saves time and reduces the risk that you will need a new photo at the appointment.

Digital transmission to the authority

Passport photos for ID documents are now created digitally and transmitted securely. Once the photo has been taken, it is made available via a secure process. It can then be retrieved digitally at the official appointment.

You can find providers who support this process via alfo.passbild. You will receive a biometric baby passport photo or child passport photo that is prepared for the digital process.

Common mistakes with baby passport photos and children’s passport photos

Certain errors are particularly common in passport photos of children. These include

• the child does not look towards the camera
• the face is partially covered
• the head is strongly tilted
• the background is restless
• the image is blurred
• the face is too dark or unevenly illuminated
• the photo is not current enough
• the image cannot be transmitted digitally to the authority

A professional photographer can avoid many of these mistakes and ensure a calm, child-friendly shot.

Have a baby passport photo and child passport photo created via alfo.passbild

alfo.passbild helps you to quickly find a suitable photographer in your area. The affiliated providers create biometric passport photos for babies, children and adults and prepare the digital transmission to the authorities.

A professional photo is particularly useful for children because it combines experience, patience and technical security. This makes it easier to prepare the application for a passport, ID card or other identity document.

Frequently asked questions about the baby passport photo and child passport photo

Does a baby need a biometric passport photo?

Yes, if you are applying for an identity document for your baby, a suitable photograph is required. However, age-related simplifications apply to babies.

What size is a baby passport photo?

A baby passport photo is 35 x 45 mm in size. This corresponds to 3.5 x 4.5 cm.

What are the requirements for children’s passport photos?

Children’s passport photos must always be biometrically suitable. However, there are tolerances depending on age, especially for babies and small children.

Can a baby laugh in a passport photo?

For babies and very young children, deviations are more likely to be tolerated. Nevertheless, the face should be easily recognizable and taken as still as possible.

Does my child have to look directly into the camera?

The face should be aligned as frontally as possible to the camera. In the case of small children, there are age-related simplifications, but the shot should still be clear and easily recognizable.

Can I take a baby passport photo myself?

This is not recommended for official ID documents. It must be possible to create the passport photo correctly and send it digitally to the authorities.

Where can I have a baby passport photo taken?

Via alfo.passbild you can find photographers in your area who professionally take baby passport photos and children’s passport photos.

How up-to-date does a child’s passport photo need to be?

The photo should be as up-to-date as possible, as the appearance of babies and children changes quickly.

What should my child wear for the passport photo?

Simple clothing without eye-catching patterns is recommended. The face should be visible and not covered by hoods, hats or accessories.

Can the child’s passport photo be sent digitally to the authorities?

Yes, with participating photographers, the child’s passport photo is created digitally and securely provided to the authorities.

You can also find more information on our pages on digital passport photos, passport photo requirements, passport photo size and format, and finding a photographer near you.