UK Baby & Child Passport Photo — HMPO Compliant
Get an HMPO-compliant passport photo for your baby or child in minutes. Our AI handles the background removal and crop automatically — free IDPC code included for GOV.UK online applications.
Photo requirements
- Size: 35×45mm (same as adult UK passport)
- Background: Plain light grey (#EBEBEB) — no shadows
- Expression: Babies under 6 months: eyes don't need to be fully open
- Frame: No other person, hand, dummy or toy visible
- Standard: HMPO compliant — includes IDPC code for GOV.UK digital submission
Why Smart Passport Photo
- ✅ Free preview before you pay — see the result first
- ✅ IDPC code included for GOV.UK online passport application
- ✅ AI removes background automatically — no need for a white wall
- ✅ Free retake or refund if HMPO rejects the photo
- ✅ 9 automated HMPO compliance checks
- ✅ £3.99 one-off, no subscription
- ✅ Photo deleted from our servers within 24 hours
Free to preview · Pay once · No subscription
Photos deleted within 24 hours · UK servers (AWS eu-west-2) · Never used for AI training · Rated on Trustpilot
How it works
- 1. Lay your baby on a plain light-coloured surface (a white sheet works perfectly). Photograph from directly above using your phone's rear camera. Make sure no hands, arms or other people are in the frame.
- 2. Upload the photo. Our AI removes the background, replaces it with the correct HMPO light grey, and checks head size, position and image quality automatically.
- 3. Review the free preview. If anything needs fixing, retake at no cost — our tips guide you to the right angle and lighting.
- 4. Pay £3.99 and receive your IDPC code instantly. Enter it directly into your child's GOV.UK passport application — no file upload needed.
Official resources
For the official specification, see GOV.UK photo guidance for passports. Smart Passport Photo is an independent service and is not affiliated with any government body.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does a baby passport photo need the eyes to be open?
For babies under 6 months old, HMPO allows the eyes to be closed or partially closed. For children over 6 months, the same rules as adults apply — eyes must be open and clearly visible. Our AI compliance check adjusts its eye detection rules based on the document type selected.
How do I take a passport photo of a baby?
The easiest method: lay your baby flat on a plain white or light grey surface (a bedsheet works well), stand directly above them and photograph downwards with your phone's rear camera. Make sure no hands, toys, dummies or other people are visible in the frame. Natural window light from the side gives the most even result.
Can I hold my baby during the passport photo?
No — HMPO requires only the child to be visible in the frame. No hands, arms or other people can appear in the photo. If you need to support your baby's head, drape a white or light cloth over your arm so it blends with the background, but check the result carefully before submitting.
What background does a UK baby passport photo need?
Plain light grey or cream with no shadows — the same requirement as an adult UK passport photo. Our AI replaces whatever background is in your photo with the correct colour automatically.
How long does a UK child passport take?
Standard child passport applications through GOV.UK take around 3 weeks. Using a digital IDPC code (which we include) is the fastest submission method — no waiting for printed photos to arrive by post.