Lesotho Child Passport Photo Requirements and Preparation
Preparing a passport photo for a child in Lesotho requires attention to specific rules set by the government. This guide helps you take and check your child's photo before you submit your application.
Understanding the Photo Size
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Passport Services in Lesotho publishes no single official size for passport photos[1]. Instead, the 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) crop is a common passport-photo size used in practice, not a published Lesotho dimension[2]. Because official requirements can vary, you should always confirm the exact size with the issuing office or organization before you begin your application process[2][1].
The head height for this photo is not set by the authority, so you must use your best judgment based on standard framing[2]. The tool above can help you crop your image to this common practice size[2].
Rules for Children and Minors
A minor under 16 applies with a parent or guardian[2]. For offline passport applications, the Act requires one passport-size photo, without stating an age exception[3].
The embassy asks for two photos and gives general photo instructions. It publishes no separate infant photo dimensions or handling rules[2].
Background and Lighting
For applicants submitting photos through the Lesotho Embassy in the United States, the photo must have a plain background[2]. However, the embassy does not specify a color for this background in its official instructions[2].
You can find a simple, neutral wall in your home with an even tone to use as your backdrop for the picture. Good lighting is also very important so harsh shadows do not fall across the child's face or the plain background behind them.
Glasses, Headwear and Facial Rules
You cannot wear glasses in your passport photo according to the official guidelines[2]. For headwear, the rules are unspecified by the official guidelines provided by the embassy[2].
The cited embassy instructions do not specify a required expression or mouth position. Keep the child's face visible when taking the photo.
Taking the Photo at Home
Taking a passport photo at home requires careful setup and patience with young children. Set up a clean space with a plain background and bright, even lighting[2].
Stand or sit about one to one and a half meters away from the child to keep the camera lens at their eye level. Ask someone else to help hold the camera or phone steady while you capture the child's attention. Take several shots so you have multiple options where the child looks directly forward without moving.
Preparing and Printing Your Photos
You can submit both printed and digital formats depending on your specific application method[2]. If you need printed copies to submit physically, you can format your cropped 35 × 45 mm photo onto a standard 4×6-inch photo sheet.
Take this digital sheet to a local store kiosk and print it as an ordinary 4×6-inch photo print. The tool above helps you arrange the photo file easily onto the print sheet[2].
Common Reasons Photos Are Refused
The embassy says passport photos must have a plain background and no glasses[2]. Its instructions do not list blurry images, poor lighting, or incorrect dimensions as reasons for refusal.
Always check your photo against the basic requirements before you submit your paperwork[3][2]. The tool above can still help you rehearse, check a photo, or prepare a copy for other uses, though the authority makes the final decision on acceptance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official size for a Lesotho child passport photo?
Can my child wear glasses in the photo?
No, glasses are not allowed in the passport photo according to the guidelines[2].
What color should the background be?
The photo must have a plain background, but the embassy does not specify an exact color for it[2].
How many photos do I need to submit?
The embassy states that you must provide two photos for your application[2].