Tag: child passport photos

Best time of day to take a baby passport photo

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

It’s probably no surprise that getting a good picture of an infant to use for a passport can be a challenging endeavor. Since babies can’t sit still at will or control their movements, and are prone to crying at any moment, it can end up taking quite a bit of time to get the perfect shot that will be acceptable to the U.S. Department of State. Most of the requirements that apply to adults also apply to children and infants when it comes to passport photos, but there are a couple of exceptions. If you decide to take your baby’s passport photo yourself, rather than spend the money to pay a professional, here are a few tips to make the task a bit easier:

Use your baby’s car seat

Since the baby should optimally be sitting up straight, you can avoid trying to find ways to prop your infant up by simply using your baby’s car seat. Simply drape a white cloth over the seat and then strap your baby in. Make sure to dress the baby in a contrasting color, so that they clearly stand out from the white background.

Best time of day to take a baby passport photo

You probably have some idea of your baby’s sleep patterns to some extent. Wait to take the passport photo at a time when he/she is most alert, such as when they are waking up from a nap or after they have eaten. Doing the photo shoot at these times will also make it more likely that the baby won’t be unpredictably fussy.

Don’t worry about trying to make your baby open their eyes

According to the official website for U.S. Passports and International Travel, babies don’t need to have their eyes fully open. So you can make an attempt to get the baby to open his/her eyes but don’t fret if he/she won’t open them or only partially opens them.

Remember that you don’t need perfection

Try not to expect the photos to be perfectly proportioned or posed. It’s okay if the baby is slouching a bit. As long as the photo clearly shows the baby’s face and there are no distortions or extraneous items in the picture, you should be fine.

Photo: Baby by Hernan Piñera licensed under Creative commons 2

5 tips for getting baby passport photos right the first time

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Traveling with a baby can be exhausting, frustrating, and generally tiresome. And that’s just packing your luggage! One way you can relieve some of the stress starts with getting your child passport photo correct the first time. We’ve laid out five great easy-to-follow steps for taking passport photos with children.

1. Make sure they have slept well

When your child is well rested, whether that be from a good night’s sleep or a long afternoon nap, taking passport photos can be made easier. They are more likely to listen and be less fussy when asked to sit still for the camera.

2. Bring snacks!

Bringing a small snack, like grapes or crackers, can provide your child with distraction should they get bored while taking their baby passport photo. It’s also great should the parent get fussy!

3. Provide something for them to focus on

A child passport photo must include the child looking straight at the camera. But of course, that’s easier said than done. In order to grab the child’s attention, display their favorite toy or an interesting object near the camera lens to focus their eyes near the camera.

4. Set up the correct background

Passport photos require neutral backgrounds without pattern or dark solid colors. It is best to use a white blanket or sheet to place your child on to take their baby passport photo. If your baby is still a wiggly infant, swaddle them to keep their arms and legs still. If your child is a bit older, still not capable of controlling themselves yet too rambunctious for a swaddle, bring in some assistance to help keep their arms and legs still. Should you need some help to settle the baby, make sure the helper’s hands are not visible in the passport photo. In passport pictures, the child must have their eyes open, mouth closed, and a gaze directed straight to the camera.

5. Upload the picture to paspic.com.

To expedite the process of getting your passport photo printed, upload the image to paspic.com. You will receive detailed instructions and instant notification as to whether your baby passport photo has complied with all legal requirements. They will be printed on photo-quality paper and mailed directly to you!

Photo: Asleep by César Rincón licensed under Creative commons 2

5 tips for a trouble-free international vacation

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

International travel can be a lot of fun, but make sure you take the time to protect yourself against trouble along the way. A little prep work goes a very long way towards keeping your overseas holiday entertaining and stress-free.

1. Take care of passports early

Make sure you’ve secured passports for everyone going on the trip well in advance, just to be safe. Especially for the passports of any children; a child passport photo can be quite tricky to get through regulations. Consider using an online passport solution so you can use your own camera and handle things on your own schedule.

2. Read up on expected weather

Weather isn’t necessarily going to be like what you see in movies or travel brochures about your destination. Warm climates get chilly or rainy, hot climates get cold, etc. Make sure you know what sort of clothes you should REALLY be packing before you get there, or you’ll spend your trip miserable.

3. Know what can and can’t cross borders

There are a lot of treaties, customs officers and travel safety rules out there between you and your destination. Make sure you don’t get caught up by any of them along the way; rather innocuous items can be a big problem (and things you’d expect to be problems can be totally fine).

4. Make sure you have embassy information handy

If you’re contacting an embassy during an international trip, things aren’t really trouble-free, but it’s better than needing to contact the embassy and not being able to figure out how. Write it down, save it in the phones of everyone traveling with you and do whatever it takes to make sure if anyone needs them, they can reach them.

5. Check up on phone service and other details

It’s easy to get used to certain services being available everywhere – but not every service travels well. Whether it’s your phone service, certain aspects of your health insurance, or any of a dozen other little things you take for granted, not all of them are going to work the same way you expect them to when you start crossing borders. Make sure nothing you’re dependent upon is going to fail you.

I lost my passport traveling! What do I do?

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

There is no worse feeling while traveling abroad than discovering your passport isn’t where you left it. If you don’t find it after digging through all your portable belongings, there is a good chance it is either lost or stolen. Now, this is a good time to remind you to always have a photocopy of your passport stuffed safely away in another area of your luggage. With that said, here are the steps you need to follow should you no longer have your passport.

Contact the Embassy

First, you need to contact the U.S. embassy in the country you are in. You may need to put some travel on hold as exiting the country you’re in is likely not a possibility. When you contact the embassy, you need to tell them your passport is lost or stolen. While talking with the consular, you need to inform them if you were directly involved in a crime (is there a police report?) or if the passport is simply misplaced. You’ll also need to tell them when you’re planning on exiting the country. This is important as the embassy can issue either a full passport or an emergency passport.

Take a new passport photo

You’ll need to head out to the embassy. Thankfully, this is easier to do in most countries as there is a U.S. embassy in most large cities. Take passport photos before going. You’ll be able to find passport photo locations at most photo or travel centers. Again, it is a good idea to have backup passport photos with you while traveling internationally.

Complete the documentation

When you visit the embassy, you’ll need to fill out a statement regarding what happened to your previous passport. You’ll also need to fill out an application for a new passport. During this application, you need the passport photos, a form of ID (your driver’s license works), travel itinerary (your return plane ticket works) and evidence you are a U.S. citizen. This is where having the photocopy of the passport or birth certificate helps. In a pinch, your driver’s license may suffice.

Pay and wait

You’ll need to the $140 fee for a new passport. You’ll also need to wait a few days for the new passport to be issued. The emergency passport will be issued in 24 hours, but that only lets you get into the U.S. If you can, wait the few days for the new passport.

How to take the perfect baby passport photo

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Looking to travel with your baby or young child? You’re going to need a passport for them as well as yourself, should you head out of the country. The photo requirements are no different for a baby than that of an adult, which can prove rather strict. However, there are a handful of tips you can use in order to take the perfect baby passport photo.

Go simple with the clothing

This isn’t a specialty baby shoot where you’ll be sharing the photograph with all your friends and relatives. Due to this, you’ll want to avoid any kind of fussy clothing. Your best option is simply a one-piece, or a simple shirt, without a collar. The less you need to iron out and fix during the photos the better. Go for a darker shirt color, such as a dark navy blue, green, or purple. This prevents the shirt from blending into the background.

You don’t need to prop

When taking a baby passport photo, you don’t need to prop your child up. This is a major misconception. Naturally, extremely young children are unable to support their own weight, so you may find it better to completely avoid propping up a child against a chair. Instead, you can take a white sheet, place it on the floor and lay your baby down on top of it. This may be more comfortable for your child as well. You can make eye contact with them, smile and wave. This should be enough to hold their attention in order to capture the passport photos.

You know your child best and what they are more likely to cooperate with. Do what works best for you and your baby.

Keep the face straight

One of the main benefits of going with the sheet on the floor passport photo approach is it helps keep your baby’s face straight. Their face may not be tilted, otherwise the photograph will be rejected. Plus, the entire face must be visible in the picture, their eyes must be open and, ideally, their mouth shut (although there is some leeway with newborns and infants).

If you need more help with getting that perfect baby passport photo, contact Paspic today!

5 frequently asked questions about child passports and child passport photos

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

While the passport process isn’t all that complicated, it can feel quite daunting when you need to get one in a hurry for a child or infant. To make sure the process is as painless as possible, we’ve put together a list of five of the most frequently asked questions from parents looking to obtain passports for their children.

1. Does my child need a passport?

Any child, even a newborn infant, needs to have a passport if they are traveling between nations. This includes all the normal paperwork involved.

2. How long does a child passport last?

Your child passport will last five years, even if your child ages significantly and doesn’t really look like their passport photo anymore. While you’re not required to update the photos until renewal time, many opt to do so to avoid problems caused by a conflict between the photos and the older child’s features.

3. Can I be in the photo?

No one else can be in a passport photo, even one for a newborn. This includes visible limbs propping a baby up.

4. Does my child’s passport need a signature?

Yes, but it doesn’t have to be your child’s if they’re too young to sign for themselves. Instead, print the child’s name, sign your own, and place in parentheses your relationship (mother or father).

5. What do I need to know about my child’s passport photo?

All the usual rules of passports apply to child passport photos, even those which can be much more difficult to adhere to when dealing with infants and other young children. For example, expressions which excessively distort the face, hats and other coverings, pacifiers and bottles, and similar items can all disqualify a photo’s validity.

As you can see, the process is mostly painless aside from the issue of acceptable photographs. To give yourself the best opportunity for photos, we recommend taking your own photos with a suitable camera, and submitting them through an online passport photo service. This lets you get photos without the stresses or cost of a photo booth, and vet them before submission.

Photo: FAQ by Skley licensed under Creative commons 2

How to prop your baby up for a passport photo

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Your baby’s passport photo has the same kinds of requirements as a regular adult passport photo. One of those requirements is that only your baby is permitted to be in the photo. You can’t be in the passport photo holding your baby in your arms or even have your hands in the photo. This becomes a tricky requirement for babies who are not yet able to hold themselves in a sitting position, especially when the passport photo place only has a high stool for them to sit on. Here are some tips for propping your baby up for their passport photo.

1. Use cushioning

Lay cushions or pillows on the floor around the chair or stool to make the environment safer for your baby. If you lose balance there will be a soft place. The cushioning will also help you as you have to sit or kneel as you hold your baby.

2. Understand the photo perimeters

Ask the passport photographer to show or tell you exactly where the bottom photo border will be. This will let you know precisely where you can hold your baby without having your hands show up in the passport photo.

3. Bring a support ring

If your baby will be seated on a wide enough stool, you may be able to use a baby support ring, commonly known as a Bobby pillow. This will help position your baby on the stool.

4. Kneel down to hold your baby

For the actual photograph, kneel down behind your baby and tuck your head down when the photographer states he’s ready to take the photo. Ask him to make sure the top of your head is not seen behind your baby.

5. Position your hands

Place one hand firmly on your baby’s back to support their upright position. Keep one or two fingers behind your baby’s head to help with support there. Place the other hand around the lower part of your baby’s waist to prevent your baby from leaning forward.

Propping your baby up for the passport photo is a little awkward, but it only lasts for a few minutes. The important thing is now your baby will be free to travel with you and your spouse.

How to obtain a passport for a child born abroad

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Traveling is easier than ever before and it is not uncommon for US citizens to be born abroad. Fortunately, US embassies and consulates make obtaining a birth certificate and passport for a child born abroad very easy. There are only three steps for obtaining your child’s passport and birth certificate if the baby was born abroad.

1) Parents must obtain form FS-240 from the embassy or US consulate. The FS-240 form is called a “Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (CRBA)” and if accepted, it documents that the child born abroad is a US citizen. To obtain a CRBA, the US citizen parent or parents of the child must simply present their passport at the embassy and request the CRBA.

2) At the same time parents complete the CRBA, the parents can apply for the child’s passport. The application requires the parents fill out Form DS-1350, “Certification of Report of Birth”. In addition to filling out the application and paying a fee, two baby passport photos are required. The child passport photos must meet passport photo specifications.

For adults — people 18 years of age or older — born abroad to US citizens, applying for a birth certificate and a passport requires a “Certificate of Citizenship to document acquisition pursuant to 8 USC 1452.”

When applying for a birth certificate for a child born abroad, there are a few things to remember:

• The US embassy or consulate will only provide one certified birth certificate. If the birth certificate is lost or stolen, the parents of the child must apply for a replacement. However, parents may request several copies of the birth certificate, though the birth certificates will not be certified.

• There are several US territories that do not require a CRBA: Swains Island; Puerto Rico; American Samoa; the US Virgin Islands; Guam; the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands after January 8, 1978 (8PM EST); The Panama Canal Zone before October 1, 1979; and the Philippines before July 4, 1946. People born in these territories are considered US citizens.