How to take a child’s photo for passport and ID?

For some the end of vacation, for others the beginning or time to plan future trips. If you are planning to travel abroad with your child, don’t forget the necessary documents! Child on the move needs proof or passport. Today we will describe to you how to take a photo at home.

When going abroad, a child needs an identity document. I remember how a dozen (or rather, several decades!) years ago my data was entered in my mother’s passport and nothing more was needed for happiness. The whole family rode on their parents’ passports, and that was enough to leave our country.

Times have changed. Currently, a child must present his or her own photo ID in order to be allowed to board a plane. Theoretically, by land, you also can’t cross the state border without such a document. So what to make first: an ID or a passport? Can the photo be taken at home?

What for the child: proof or passport?

If you are traveling within the European Union or Schengen zone, an ID card is sufficient. In addition, making an ID card is a bit simpler, cheaper and faster than a passport – the application can be submitted online, while with a passport you have to appear at the window and both parents must do it.

It also means (in the case of the proof) that you don’t have to print a photo at all (with an online application)! And most importantly, proof for your child is free!

On the other hand, if you want to travel with your child outside the EU then a passport is necessary. From experience, we will hint that it is better to make a passport right away, because you never know when some promotional opportunity will hit ;-)

Both an ID card and a passport for a child are issued for 5 years.

It is also worth mentioning that if you are traveling within the EU/EFTA, in addition to proof for your child, an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) card will also come in handy – this is confirmation of the right to receive health services abroad at the expense of the National Health Service.

Importantly, the photo you take for your passport is also valid for your ID.

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How to take a photo of a child for a passport?

There are two ways: either in a photo studio or you can also do it yourself at home.

The first case is straightforward, so here we will focus on the second option, the one we also opted for. Especially since the requirements for a child’s photo are far less stringent than for adult photos (especially for children under 5).

Why did we decide to take the picture ourselves? It wasn’t about saving money (although partly, too), but about saving time and stress for the child. When we took photos for the first documentary, Olive didn’t even keep her head straight as she lay down. Probably an experienced photographer would have managed, but we knew that the road + new people + sounds and, above all, lights might not be favorable conditions for a newborn. Aside from the queues, a lot of people, etc.

So we concluded that we will do it ourselves at home, as soon as the girl will sleep, eat and be willing to “get acquainted” ;-)

These are the official guidelines for photos for children under 5 years old:

Screen: https://obywatel.gov.pl/wyjazd-za-granice/zdjecie-do-dowodu-lub-paszportu

What is needed to take a photo for a passport?

So here goes:

• child,
• camera/phone,
• light background
• and computer.

NOTHING MORE. Well, maybe a little patience ;)

But one step at a time:

1. The child can be laid or sat on a bright background – it doesn’t have to be a snow-white sheet like in the Vizira commercial. We did on a light beige blanket. Let go of putting on beautiful clothes, because it won’t be seen anyway. In our case, it was simply a light colored panty.
2. The photo is best taken in daylight, including when the child is rested and cooperative.
3. We take a picture of the child’s face so that it occupies most of the photo. He should look straight ahead, but if he turns his head a little, nothing will happen either. Important: there should be nothing else in the photo and nothing should cover the child’s face.
4. Repeat point No. 3 with 50 times. On average, some printable comes out in 45-46 times ;)
5. Once you’ve taken the photos, just choose the one that came out best and crop them accordingly – the size of one photo should be 35mm x 45mm (some online generators will do this for you, but it’s better to have everything ready).
6. Then, using one of the many templates available on the Internet, prepare a 10×15 photo that can fit 8 photos (unless you are applying for an online proof, in which case you can skip this and the next steps).
7. We print the prepared photo in some machine or send it for printing via the Internet.
8. Two photos are left for the document, and the rest are distributed around the family and put in the wallet :P

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Summary

As you can see, taking a photo for an ID and/or passport is not so difficult ;) In the process, you will save yourself and the behemoth stress, and you can also have a great laugh about it.

Initially, we were afraid to take pictures at home, but as long as there are no particularly strict requirements you can try, and thus save yourself time and money.

In the next post we will write how to make a passport and ID card.