My toddler won’t sit still: what do the official rules allow?
No country gives tips for keeping a toddler still, but some rules are relaxed: the UK doesn’t require children under 6 to look at the camera or keep a plain expression, and Australia allows an open mouth under 3. The child must always be alone.
Rules checked on · official sources only
What each country says
| Country | Answer | Official quote | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United StatesPassport | The child must be alone in the photo, face the camera with a neutral expression and full face visible; you can seat them in a sheet-covered car seat. | No other person can be in the photo. The child must face the camera. The child's facial expression must be neutral. The child’s full face must be visible. You can also cover a car seat with the sheet, then place your child in the car seat for the photo. |
travel.state.gov | |
| United Kingdom | Children under 6 need not look directly at the camera or keep a plain expression, but must be alone, without toys or dummies. | Children must be on their own in the picture. Babies must not be holding toys or using dummies. Children under 6 do not have to be looking directly at the camera or have a plain expression. |
gov.uk | |
| Canada | No toddler tips are given. Child photos must be taken by a commercial photographer or photo studio and must not show your hands or your child's hands. | Go to a commercial photographer or photo studio to have your child’s photo taken. not show your hands or your child’s hands have a plain white or light-coloured background that shows a clear difference between your child’s face and the background |
canada.ca | |
| Australia | Children under 3 may have their mouth open, but no one else can be visible. No other toddler-specific tips are given. | For children under 3 years old, their mouth may be open. But no one else can be visible in the photo. |
passports.gov.au | |
| IndiaIndian embassy page — check with your mission | Children under 4 must bring a passport-size photograph to the PSK/POPSK/PO, following the portal's minors guidelines; children over 4 are photographed there. | Minor applicants below the age of 4 years need to carry a Passport size photograph for the processing of application at the PSK/POPSK/PO. As regards the photograph of the children under ten years of age, requirements can be somewhat relaxed in respect of height of the face, and the position of the eyes in the photographs; |
passportindia.gov.in indianembassywarsaw.gov.in (PDF) |
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Answers quote the official pages linked above. Not affiliated with any government. Final acceptance is up to the issuing authority.