Spanish Child and Baby Passport Photo Requirements
Get the exact photo size and rules for a Spanish child or baby passport application to avoid delays.
Official Size and Paper Rules
The official size for a Spanish child or baby passport photo is 26x32 mm, which equals 1.02x1.26 inches[1].
You must provide one recent color photo printed on good-quality photographic paper[1].
The authority, the Dirección General de la Policía, sets this exact dimension for the application[1]. Unlike some other documents, the authority does not set a specific rule for head height in this size[1]. You should still center your child's head clearly within the frame so the face is easy to see and recognize.
Who Takes the Photo and Using the Tool
You must bring one recent color photo on good-quality photographic paper[1].
If you need to prepare your own image, the tool above helps you crop your photos to the exact dimensions right in your browser. Even if the authority takes the official picture, you can still use the tool above to rehearse, check a photo, or prepare a copy for your own records without any trouble.
Background and Lighting Setup
Your photo must feature a uniform, plain white background[1]. To achieve this at home, sit your child in front of a plain white wall or sheet.
Natural light works best for babies and young children. Face a window to get soft, even light on the face, and avoid standing too close to the wall to prevent dark shadows.
Keep the camera lens at your child's eye level and stay about one to one and a half meters away to avoid distortion.
Glasses, Headwear, and Expression
The cited guidance says not to wear dark glasses or anything that could prevent identification[1]. It does not set the additional conditions stated here.
The cited guidance says the photo should show the face clearly and that clothing must not prevent identification[1]. It does not state a religious or medical headwear exception.
The cited source does not specify an expression, mouth position, or open-eye rule.
Rules for Babies and Infants
There are no separate photo dimensions specified for infants[1]. If your minor child does not have a DNI yet, you must provide a recent literal birth certificate along with the application[1].
Passport applicants must appear in person. For a minor, the source requires the consent of everyone with parental authority or guardianship and proof of their identity and relationship or guardianship[1].
Common Reasons Photos Are Refused
The photo must have a uniform, plain white background[1].
Prints on standard office paper or low-quality paper are also rejected because the authority requires good-quality photographic paper[1].
The source requires a high-resolution photo that clearly shows the face and measures 26 × 32 mm[1]. It does not list these conditions as reasons for delay.
Printing Your Photo at Home
When you prepare a printed photo at home, arrange it on a standard 4x6-inch photo sheet. You can then print this sheet at any local photo kiosk just like an ordinary vacation picture.
Make sure the kiosk printer does not automatically scale or crop the image, because the final printed photo must measure exactly 26x32 mm[1]. Check the printed dimensions with a physical ruler before you head to your appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the exact photo size for a Spanish child passport?
The official size is 26x32 mm, which is 1.02x1.26 inches[1].
Does the authority set a head height rule for this size?
No, the head height is not set by the authority for this size[1].
What background color do I need?
You need a uniform, plain white background[1].
Are glasses and hats allowed in the photo?
Glasses are allowed only under conditional rules, and headwear is permitted for religious or medical reasons only[1].
What documents does a baby need if they do not have a DNI?
A minor without a DNI must provide a recent literal birth certificate, and the applicant must appear in person[1].