Which photo to provide for an identity document (passport, identity card...)?

Verified 11 March 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior

I.D. must have been taken a while ago less than 6 months and be resembling. For an application for an identity card or passport, there is onlyonly one photo to be provided.

The photo must be taken by a qualified professional or in a cabin using an approved system by the Ministry of the Interior.

THEANTS: titleContent provides a search tool to find the places near your home where to take photos:

Find contact information for authorized photographers and authorized booths

The photo must respect several characteristics :

Infographie - Standards for photo ID
Illustration X - Standards for photo ID
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Standards for photo ID

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Standards for photo ID - plus de détails dans le texte suivant l’infographie
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Tableau - Identity photo: standards to be respected

Subject

Obligations

Quality

The photo must be clear, without folding or traces.

Format

  • Width: 3.5 cm
  • Height: 4.5 cm
  • Face size: between 3.2 and 3.6 cm (70 to 80% of the photo), from the bottom of the chin to the top of the skull (excluding hair)

Brightness, contrast and colors

The photo must not be overexposed or underexposed.

It must be properly contrasted, without shadow cast on the face or in the background.

A color photo is highly recommended.

Background

The background should be plain, light-colored (e.g. light blue or light gray).

The white background is forbidden.

Head

The head must be bare (no hat, scarf or headband for example).

The head should be straight and the face facing the lens.

Look and expression

You have to set the goal.

The expression should be neutral and the mouth should be closed.

Face and eyes

The face must be clear.

The wearing of earrings or the wearing of a piercing is allowed as long as they allow to clearly distinguish the features of the face.

The eyes must be perfectly visible and open.

Hair

The hair should not cover the face.

A fringe can be accepted if it does not cover the eyes.

Ears must be clear.

Glasses and frames

If you have glasses, you don't have to wear them in the photos.

However, if you wear them:

  • The frame should not be thick and should not mask the eyes
  • The lenses must not be tinted, colored or glare-free.

Warning  

If the photo does not meet the specifications, it will be rejected and the identity document will not be issued.