Similar to an adult’s passport in NZ, a baby passport photo has some requirements that must be met. The rules for acquiring a baby passport in NZ vary with age. This article will walk you through the steps for taking a good baby passport photo, including the technical requirements, tips for getting your baby to cooperate, and where to get your baby’s passport photo taken.
last update:12/1/2024
Requirements for New Zealand Baby Passport Photos
New Zealand has specific standards for baby passport photos to ensure they are suitable for biometric use. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to avoid delays or rejections in the passport application process.
General Specifications
- Photo Size:
- The photo must measure 35 mm wide x 45 mm high.
- The face must occupy 70% to 80% of the photo height (approximately 25 mm to 30 mm).
- Color:
- The photo must be in color, with natural skin tones.
- Black-and-white photos are not accepted.
- Background:
- The background must be plain, light grey, or cream.
- It must be free from patterns, shadows, or objects.
- Lighting:
- The lighting must be even, with no shadows on the baby’s face or the background.
- Avoid reflections or red-eye.
Baby-Specific Guidelines
- Pose:
- The baby must face the camera directly, with their head centered.
- Both eyes should be open and visible. For newborns under 6 months, slightly closed eyes are acceptable.
- Expression:
- The baby must have a neutral expression (no smiling, crying, or frowning).
- Support:
- If the baby cannot sit upright:
- Photograph them lying on a plain, light-colored sheet or blanket.
- Use a car seat covered with a plain, light-colored material.
- Hands or objects supporting the baby must not be visible.
- If the baby cannot sit upright:
- Clothing:
- Dress the baby in clothing that contrasts with the background.
- Avoid white or light-colored outfits to prevent blending into the background.
Technical Requirements
- Photo Quality:
- The photo must be sharp and in focus, with no blurriness or pixelation.
- It must be printed on high-quality, matte, or glossy photo paper.
- Digital Photos:
- For online applications, the photo file must:
- Be between 250 KB and 10 MB.
- Have dimensions of at least 900 pixels wide by 1200 pixels high.
- Be in JPEG format.
- a portrait photo with a 4:3 aspect ratio, or 3:4 on a smartphone
- For online applications, the photo file must:
- Timeframe:
- The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months.
Additional Notes for Parents
- Relaxed Standards for Infants:
- Slightly open or closed mouths are acceptable for infants under 6 months.
- No Accessories or Props:
- The baby must not wear hats, headbands, or pacifiers in the photo.
- Professional Photos Recommended:
- Although you can take the photo yourself, it’s advisable to have it taken by a professional familiar with New Zealand passport standards.
What to Submit
- Two identical printed photos (if submitting a paper application).
- For online applications, upload the photo in the correct format.
Examples of accepted and rejected baby passport photos
To help you understand what makes a suitable passport photo for your baby, we’ve provided examples of both accepted and rejected photos.
Please note that the dimensions of these baby passport photos are not exact; they are provided for illustrative purposes only.
Baby passport Photos: Accepted and Rejected-Example 1
Reasons for Rejection and Our Advice
- Holding a toy:The baby must not hold any toy or object in their hands.
- Non-uniform or overly dark background: The background must be light, uniform, and shadow-free.
Baby passport Photos: Accepted and Rejected-Example 2
Reasons for Rejection and Our Advice
- Looking Away: The baby must face forward and look directly at the camera lens.
- Inappropriate Expression:The baby must have a neutral expression—no crying, laughing, or frowning.
- Open Mouth:The baby’s mouth must be closed in the photo. An open mouth is not acceptable.
Baby ID Photos: Accepted and Rejected-Example 3
Reasons for Rejection and Our Advice
- Object in the Mouth:Pacifiers, bottles, or any other objects in the baby’s mouth are not allowed.
- Visible Hands The baby’s hands, parents’ hands, or any other hands should not appear in the photo
5 mistakes to avoid on your baby’s passport photo
When taking your baby’s passport photo, there are several common mistakes that you should be aware of to ensure your photo is accepted:
- Busy or patterned background: Ensure that the background is plain and light-colored, without any distracting patterns or objects.
- Incorrect head size or positioning: Your baby’s head should be centered in the photo and occupy between 29mm and 34mm from the bottom of their chin to the top of their head.
- Obscured facial features: Make sure that your baby’s face is clearly visible, without any clothing, accessories, or toys obscuring their features.
- Inappropriate facial expressions: Your baby should have a neutral expression in the photo, with their eyes open and mouth closed. Avoid photos where your baby is crying, smiling, or making other exaggerated expressions.
- Poor lighting or low-quality images: Use a well-lit environment and a high-quality camera to ensure that your baby’s passport photo is clear, sharp, and meets the necessary resolution requirements.
Tips for Taking a Good Baby Passport Photo
- Choose the right time of day. The best time to take your baby’s passport photo is in the morning or afternoon when the light is soft and natural. Avoid taking the photo in direct sunlight, as this can create harsh shadows.
- Find a plain white background. A white wall or sheet is a perfect background for your baby’s passport photo. Make sure that the background is free of any distractions, such as paintings or toys.
- Get your baby’s attention. Getting a baby to look at the camera for a photo can be difficult, but there are a few things you can do to try. Try making funny faces or noises or using a toy to grab their attention. You can also try feeding your baby or giving them a pacifier to help them calm down.
- Take the photo from slightly above the baby so their head is not cut off in the frame.
- Make sure the baby’s mouth is closed and no objects are obscuring their face.
- Be patient. It may take a few tries to get a good passport photo of your baby. Don’t get discouraged if your baby doesn’t cooperate right away. Just keep trying, and eventually you’ll get the perfect shot.
How to take a passport photo of your baby at home?
It is important to note that Ireland’s Passport Photo service are less strict with baby photos than they are with adult photos. This means that the head can be slightly moved to one side, lips can be slightly apart, but no tongue or teeth can be seen, and the eyes might not look directly in the camera.
Tips for Positioning Your Baby for a Passport Photo
Correctly positioning your baby might prove to be a bit difficult. But you should know that your baby does not need to pose perfectly. Their mouth can be slightly open and they do not need to gaze directly towards the camera.
But, do make sure that your child is not crying or is angry. You can lay your child on a white cover/blanket, this will increase the possibility that the photo is accepted. You can also opt for a baby seat that has been covered with a white sheet.
Good lighting for baby passport photo
And when it comes to the lighting requirements, natural sunlight is the best source you will find. It does not change your skin complexion nor does it cast any solid shadows on your face or neck.
We have gathered the general points about baby passport photo standards in this tutorial :
Where to Get Your Baby’s Passport Photo Taken
You can get your baby’s passport photo taken at any professional passport photo studio. However, some pharmacies and grocery stores also offer passport photo services. Be sure to call ahead to ensure that the place you choose offers baby passport photos.
If you’re taking your baby’s passport photo at home, follow the technical requirements above. You can use the smartphone iD app to take the photo for a quick, easy and cheap solution.
Baby Passport Photo Costs in New Zealand
Generally, the cost of a baby passport photo in the UK is not lower than NZ$10. However, you can expect to pay more than that if you use a professional photographer for your baby’s passport photos.
Choosing the Smartphone iD app gives a great price on high-quality passport photos.
How to take a passport photo of your baby with your phone.
Use the Smartphone iD app at the most convenient time when your baby is in a good mood. Send us the photo, and we will verify whether it can be accepted. Then, after photo straightening, background removal and format adaptation, a properly fit photo will be sent to your email.
online using the smartphone id app
1. Through our website
Click the “Take a photo” button on the Smartphone iD website, select the required country, “NZ,” and document type, “passport.” Take your photo. After our team of experts and the AI system validate the photo, you will receive it via email.
2. Through our mobile app
- Use our online passport photo tool Smartphone iD from the Apple or Google Play Store, or conveniently use our online web app by clicking the ‘Take a Photo’ button
- Capture your NZ passport photo by following the instructions in the Smartphone iD app.
- After our team of experts and the AI system validate the photo, you will receive it via email
You should follow these steps
- Choose a location with Sample natural light.
- Place a white sheet on a flat surface to lay your baby on.
- Place your camera phone around 1 to 1.5 meters away from your baby.
- Take the photo from directly above your baby, ensuring that the entire head and face are visible in the frame.
It’s important to ensure that the photo meets the requirements for passport photos, such as having a plain background and a clear, focused image of the face. Additionally, make sure that your baby’s eyes are open and visible in the photo.
Conclusion
To obtain a New Zealand baby passport photo, visit a local photography studio or use a dedicated passport photo app. Smartphone iD app offers affordable options for creating compliant passport photos for infants. Ensure the photo meets New Zealand’s passport requirements for babies to ensure a smooth application process.
Sources
https://www.passports.govt.nz/passport-photos/how-to-take-a-passport-photo/
