Irish Passport (Child) Photo in the UK
35 × 45 mm · white background · Department of Foreign Affairs (Passport Service)
£6.99 digital file
Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy
Rules last checked against Department of Foreign Affairs (Passport Service) on 12 October 2026.
About this photo
Taking an Irish Passport photo of a child at home is allowed, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (Passport Service) relaxes some rules for the youngest applicants. Babies under one do not need a neutral expression, the eyes should be open where possible, and a head tilt of up to 15 degrees is tolerated. The child must be alone in the frame: no hands holding them, no dummy, no toys. A practical trick is to lay a baby on a plain white sheet and photograph from above. The same 35 by 45 mm size applies, and online applications need a JPEG of at least 715 by 951 pixels.
Photo requirements
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Digital file | JPEG, at least 715 × 951 pixels, up to 8.6 MB, for Passport Online (dfa.ie) |
| Background | white, also accepted: light grey, cream |
| Head size | 45–55% of the photo height (20–25 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Allowed. No tinted lenses or sunglasses. No glare on the lenses. Frames must not cover any part of the eyes. |
| Head coverings | Allowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face from chin to forehead must be visible. |
| Head position | Facing the camera, tilted no more than 15° |
| Children | Under 1s a neutral expression is not required; head tilt up to 15° is accepted; Infants who cannot support themselves may be photographed lying down on a plain white surface; Hands or arms supporting the child must not be visible; No soothers or pacifiers; mouth closed and not smiling. |
| Other rules | Child alone in the photo — no hands, dummies, toys or other people visible; Eyes open and looking at the camera where possible; infants under 1 may have a relaxed expression; Plain light background, evenly lit, no shadows; Must not be digitally enhanced or altered |
Do
Don't
How it works
1. Take or upload a photo
Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.
2. We size and check it
We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.
3. Download and use it
Pay once, then download the digital file and the print sheet straight away.
If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.
Questions about Irish Passport (Child) photos
What size is an Irish Passport (Child) photo?
Irish Passport (Child) photos are 35 × 45 mm. The head should fill 45–55% of the photo height (20–25 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).
What background does an Irish Passport (Child) photo need?
A plain white background (light grey, cream is also accepted), with no shadows, patterns or objects. We replace the background for you, but a plain wall gives the cleanest edges around your hair.
Can I wear glasses in an Irish Passport (Child) photo?
Yes. No tinted lenses or sunglasses. No glare on the lenses. Frames must not cover any part of the eyes.
Can I smile in an Irish Passport (Child) photo?
No. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open.
Can I wear a head covering?
Allowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face from chin to forehead must be visible.
Can I take an Irish Passport (Child) photo at home?
Usually, yes, as long as it meets the rules above. Check the instructions for your application route, because final acceptance is always decided by Department of Foreign Affairs (Passport Service). PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.
What file does the online application need?
A digital photo file: JPEG, at least 715 × 951 pixels, up to 8.6 MB, for Passport Online (dfa.ie). Your download is prepared to these settings.
Are there special rules for babies and children?
Under 1s a neutral expression is not required; head tilt up to 15° is accepted; Infants who cannot support themselves may be photographed lying down on a plain white surface; Hands or arms supporting the child must not be visible; No soothers or pacifiers; mouth closed and not smiling. The child must be alone in the photo, with no hands, toys or dummies visible.
How much does an Irish Passport (Child) photo cost in the UK?
£6.99 for the digital file, paid once. It includes a print-at-home sheet you can print at any photo shop.
What if something is wrong with my photo?
If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.
Official source: Department of Foreign Affairs (Passport Service)
Read the rules on the authority's website: Department of Foreign Affairs (Passport Service) (ireland.ie).
Rules last checked against Department of Foreign Affairs (Passport Service) on 12 October 2026.
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