Guernsey child passport photo (35×45 mm)

Official Size and Head Measurements

The official size for a Guernsey child passport photo is 35×45 mm, or about 1.38×1.77 inches^[1][2]. The States of Guernsey Passport Office issues British passports^[2], and the photo follows HM Passport Office standards^[1][3].

For a printed photo, the head must measure 29–34 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head^[3]. Keep the chin and top of the head visible in the photo^[3].

Background and Lighting Requirements

Use a plain, light-coloured background, such as light grey or cream^[1][3]. Avoid patterned backgrounds^[3].

Use even lighting, with no shadows on your child’s face or behind them^[1][3].

Rules for Babies and Young Children

Taking passport photos of babies and toddlers can be challenging, so the official rules provide helpful exceptions for young children. Children under 6 years old do not need to look directly at the camera lens or maintain a plain facial expression^[3][2].

If your child is under 1 year old, their eyes do not even need to be open^[3][2]. You can support a young baby during the photo session as long as your hand or fingers stay completely out of the frame^[3][2]. Laying a baby down on a plain light-coloured sheet on the floor is a safe, simple way to capture the shot while keeping them calm and steady^[3][2].

Glasses, Headwear, and Expressions

Avoid glasses unless your child needs to wear them. If they do, their eyes must be visible, with no glare or reflection covering them. Sunglasses and tinted glasses are not allowed^[1][3].

Head coverings are generally not allowed, but HM Passport Office considers them when worn for religious or medical reasons^[3]. They must not hide or distort the face or cast shadows that hide it^[3].

File Sizes and Submission Methods

For an online application, use a digital photo. For a paper application, send two identical printed photos^[1][3][2]. A digital photo must be at least 50 KB and no more than 10 MB^[1].

You can use the tool above to crop your image to the correct official dimensions and check your framing. The tool also helps you arrange your photo onto a standard 4x6-inch print sheet if you prefer to print it out at a local store.

Step-by-Step Guide to Taking the Photo at Home

To take a great photo at home, first find a well-lit room with soft natural light coming from a nearby window. Lay a plain light-coloured sheet on the floor if you are photographing an infant, or have an older child stand directly in front of a plain light wall^[1][2].

Hold your camera or smartphone firmly at your child's eye level, roughly 1 to 1.5 meters away from them. Take several continuous shots to help you capture at least one clear image where the face is fully in focus and pointing toward the camera.

Upload your chosen picture into the tool above to adjust the crop and verify the head height measurements. Once you are completely satisfied with the framing, save the final file or print sheet to use for your application.