South African Passport (Child) Photo in the UK

35 × 45 mm · light grey background · Department of Home Affairs (DHA)

£6.99 digital file

Take my South African Passport (Child) photo

Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy

Rules last checked against Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on 12 October 2026.

About this photo

A South African Passport (Child) photo for the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is 35 by 45 mm when printed. This one is still a paper process, which means printed photos and no online upload. Home Affairs asks for professionally printed photos on a light grey or plain cream background and says photos printed at home are not likely to be accepted. Your head, chin to crown, should measure 29 to 34 mm on the print. Neutral expression, mouth closed; no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows. Use a plain light grey or plain cream background with nothing behind you and no shadow on the wall. We crop your picture to the South African Passport (Child) format, set the background and check the head size before you pay.

Photo requirements

South African Passport (Child) photo requirements
Photo size35 × 45 mm
Backgroundlight grey, also accepted: plain cream
Head size64–76% of the photo height (29–34 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair)
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed, eyes open
GlassesAllowed. No dark-tinted lenses or heavy frames; frames must not cover the eyes; no flash reflection.
Head coveringsAllowed for religious reasons. Religious head coverings only; the face from chin to forehead and both edges of the face must show.
Head positionFacing the camera, tilted no more than 10°
ChildrenApplicants aged 15 or younger apply with a parent; No toys or other people in the photo.
Other rulesColour photo, not more than 1 month old; Neutral expression, mouth closed; no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows; Face takes up 70-80% of the photograph; Alone in the photo, no toys; No shadows or red eye, natural skin colour; Printed professionally on high-quality photo paper

Do

Illustration of an accepted photo: neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera on a plain background
Neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera
Illustration of an accepted child photo: the child is alone in the frame with no hands or toys visible
Child alone in the frame, no hands or toys

Don't

Illustration of a rejected photo: the person is smiling with teeth showing
No smiling with teeth showing
Illustration of a rejected photo: light reflects off the glasses and hides the eyes
No glare on glasses
Illustration of a rejected photo: a shadow falls across the face and background
No shadows on the face or background
Illustration of a rejected child photo: an adult hand is visible holding the child
No adult hands in the frame

How it works

  1. 1. Take or upload a photo

    Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.

  2. 2. We size and check it

    We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.

  3. 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 South African Passport (Child) photos

What size is a South African Passport (Child) photo?

South African Passport (Child) photos are 35 × 45 mm. The head should fill 64–76% of the photo height (29–34 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).

What background does a South African Passport (Child) photo need?

A plain light grey background (plain 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 a South African Passport (Child) photo?

Yes. No dark-tinted lenses or heavy frames; frames must not cover the eyes; no flash reflection.

Can I smile in a South African 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 reasons. Religious head coverings only; the face from chin to forehead and both edges of the face must show.

Can I take a South African 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 Home Affairs (DHA). PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.

Are there special rules for babies and children?

Applicants aged 15 or younger apply with a parent; No toys or other people in the photo. The child must be alone in the photo, with no hands, toys or dummies visible.

How much does a South African 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 Home Affairs (DHA)

Read the rules on the authority's website: Department of Home Affairs (DHA) (dirco.gov.za).

Rules last checked against Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on 12 October 2026.

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