Babies and children
DV Lottery Photos for Babies and Children: Practical Guide
Children follow the same digital photo rules as adults, but keeping a baby alone, clearly visible and facing the camera requires a different setup.
Reviewed against U.S. Department of State photo guidance · September 14, 2026
More visual examples
These are educational illustrations, not official government examples or photos to submit.
Baby and child photo checklist
| Check | Better | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Visible people | Only the child | Parent or hands in frame |
| Baby setup | Plain white sheet | Patterned blanket or toy |
| Face | Full face and open eyes | Turn, obstruction or blur |
| Lighting | Soft and even | Flash shadow |
| File | 600×600 JPEG under 240 KB | Screenshot or compressed copy |
On smaller screens, swipe horizontally to see every column.
Keep every other person outside the frame
The child must be the only person visible. Check every edge for a parent’s hand, arm or face.
For a baby, the Department of State suggests a plain white or off-white sheet, or a car seat covered with a plain sheet. Keep supports and adults outside the frame.
Make the face easy to review
Photograph directly in front of a child or directly above a baby lying safely on a flat surface. Keep the full face visible and the eyes open.
Choose the clearest natural frame from several photos. Do not edit the eyes, mouth or facial features afterward.
- Use soft, even light.
- Keep toys and patterned blankets outside the frame.
- Move hair away from the eyes.
- Inspect the full-resolution original before cropping.
Prepare and check the final file
Crop to a square without cutting off the hair or chin, resize to exactly 600×600 pixels, export a genuine JPEG and keep it at or below 240 KB.
Each family member needs an individual image. Verify the final download and compare it with official examples.
Important: ToolsFA cannot confirm that no parent or support is visible; a parent or guardian must review that manually.
Official sources
Always check the instructions for the program year in which you apply. ToolsFA is independent and is not affiliated with the U.S. government.