Kids are required to hold their own passports to travel out of Singapore even though they usually take the trip with their parents. Are you aimlessly looking up information about how to get a baby passport in Singapore and how to take a baby passport photo? Don’t worry, you would find whatever you need in this ultimate guide.
Baby Passport Requirements
Before we move on to the step-by-step instructions, we would like to introduce the required documents for a baby passport in Singapore:
- Proof of the kid’s Singaporean citizenship such as ID Card Number, Birth Certificate Number, Citizenship Certificate Number (any of it).
- The kid’s passport expiry date (required for renewal).
- The kid’s passport photo (taken within the last three months). For more detailed information, please go to Baby Passport Photo Requirements.
- ID card of the parents.
- Credit/Debit Card for payment
How to Apply for Baby Passports in Singapore
It is getting more and more convenient to apply for Singaporean baby passports. Online and post applications are both available for residents. Now let’s see how to achieve it.
Apply for baby passports in Singapore online
- Step 1: Go to the ICA official website and choose the “Apply for Passport” service.
- Step 2: Log in and verify your identity with Singpass. Please download the Singpass app from the official app stores like Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Make sure you choose the app developed by “Government Technology Agency” before downloading in case of fraud.
- Step 3: Upload the required documents we have stated before and fill in the forms by following the instructions on the website. Don’t worry, there would examples as references.
- Step 4: Fulfill payment and then wait for the preparation of the baby’s passport. You can also enquire application status on the website.
Apply for baby passports in Singapore by post/deposit Box
- Download and fill in the form APPLICATION FOR SINGAPORE BIOMETRIC PASSPORT.
- Post the application form to any of the following offices: Passport Unit/Citizen Services Centre/ICA Building/10 Kallang Road, Level 2/Singapore 208718.
- Additionally, applicants could also drop the form in the deposit box at Level 1, ICA Building. The deposit box is only available from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 12:30 pm on Saturdays. Don’t do that on Sundays and public holidays.
- Fulfill payment and wait for the reply from ICA.
Baby Passport Photo Requirements
An unqualified baby passport photo is usually one of the common reasons that result in rejection. It is necessary to learn about the photo requirements as follows:
- Photo size: 35mm(width) x 45mm (height).
- Background color: white.
- The photo must be taken within the last 3 months.
- The photo must be colored and clear.
- Make sure the baby’s full face and shoulders are visible. Don’t capture other persons or distracted items besides the baby itself.
- Let the child should look forward.
- Make sure the eyes open and mouth closed. Newborns are allowed to leave their mouth open.
- Keep a neutral expression. No laughing, crying or sticking out tongue.
- The face and the background should be evenly lit in case of shadows or glares.
- Don’t wear any headgear except for religious or racial reasons.
- Don’t wear accessories that cover the babies’ faces like glasses, nipples, hoods, scarves, etc.
- Keep the dressing plain and simple. A soft and skin-friendly shirt in solid color except white is recommended. Don’t wear outfits with dramatic styling, sequins, beads and exaggerated patterns.
For online applications, you have to pay attention to the quality of digital versions:
- Dimension: 400X514 pixels.
- Image format: jpg, jpeg or png;
- File size: ≤2 MB;
How to Take Baby Passport Photos at Home
Now that you have learned about what an acceptable baby passport photo in Singapore looks like, you might be confident to make it at home.
If your child is old enough, you can ask him/her to sit and stand up in front of a camera. However, if you are taking photos of newborns who are too young to sit upright, you have to figure out more than that for older kids.
Adjust position
Lay the baby down on the bed, in the rocker or bouncer. Just make sure that the position is suitable for the infant and take a high-angle shot. Only when he/she feels comfortable will the whole process go smoothly. Don’t stick too precisely to the background color if you can’t find one because we would introduce a passport photo editor to you to address the background issues.
Make use of natural daylight
Studios tend to project flashlights or strong illuminating lamps on the subject while taking portrait photos. However, this kind of lighting might harm the infants’ eyes and make them feel uneasy. Therefore, try to take the shot on a sunny daytime when your little one cheers up and actively coordinates with you.
Interact with babies
Infants are usually emotional and it is hard for them to stay focused for a long time because they have no idea about what’s going on. Please make sure he/she is feeling well and in a happy mood before starting. Try to interact with them with their favorite toys or snacks which can not only comfort them but also attract their attention to the camera. Pay attention not to amuse them too much in case of exaggerated facial expressions.
Use a permitted passport photo tool
It rarely comes across a perfect moment with a nice day, proper lighting and a happy mood to take a baby passport photo. We all want the photo to be approved for first-time applications. Checking the photo quality in advance would reduce the chance of going over the procedure again and again and that’s what AiPassportPhotos does.
AiPassportPhotos is an online baby passport photo maker, aiming to solve problems like compliance, size and background. You only need to upload the targeted photo and the AI-supported scanner would detect the biometric features, adjust to the required size and convert to white the background. A standard image would be made within seconds. The online version allows you to log in on any device and at any time.
FAQs for Baby Passport Photos
1. How often do I need to renew the Singapore baby passport?
There is 5-year validity for baby passports and 10-year validity for those 16 years old.
2. How much does it cost to apply for a baby passport in Singapore?
Since Jan 1, 2020, the government waive the passport application fee for a Singaporean newborn’s first passport, but the application must be made before the kid’s first birthday. If your child is not eligible, parents have to pay SG$70.
3. What are the advantages of taking a baby passport photo in Singapore by myself?
Compared with taking newborns out for photographs, there are two major strengths:
- Babies will feel at ease in familiar surroundings with their parents’ company.
- Save more time and money than visiting photo booths or studios.
4. Can I beautify the baby passport photo with Photoshop?
No. A beautified photo would be possibly rejected. Any beauty software including Photoshop is not allowed, but you can use professional passport makers like AiPassportPhotos.
5. Can I take several shots at a time?
Yes, and it is highly recommended, so you can choose the best one.
6. How to pay for online applications?
You can fulfill payment through the following methods:
- PayNow
- American Express (AMEX) credit card
- Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card
- Internet banking accounts (banks in Singapore)
7. How to pay for post or deposit box applications?
You can fulfill payment through the following methods:
- American Express (AMEX) credit card
- Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card
8. How long does it take to deal with my application?
It will take 1-2 weeks after ICA receives the application. It will extend if there is anything wrong with the photograph or other documents. The authority would inform you of the outcome by post or email.
9. How to enquire about the status of my application online?
You can log in to MyICA and check. Remember to provide information like Birth Certificate Number or the Child’s Date of Birth.
10. How to enquire about the status of my application by post/deposit box?
Go to the MyICA website. “In Process” means the application is under processing. Once it changes to “Ready for Collection”, you would receive a pink notification card.
If you don’t use any tool to check the compliance (as we stated above) before submitting, there are chances that your photo would be rejected and receive a rejection letter. In this case, please attach a new hardcopy photo to the letter or submit it again in the ICA offices in person.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide would address all your dilemmas to apply for a baby passport in Singapore. All you want is a happy family trip. Don’t let it bother your travel plan. Although it might be a little troublesome to make full preparation, it deserves careful reading so as to reduce the possibility of being rejected to the largest extent.
Dolores Xiao