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

Verified 22 August 2022 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior

The photo ID must have been taken a while ago less than 6 months and similar.

To apply for an identity card or passport, there is onlysingle photo to be provided.

The photo must be taken by professional or cab using an approved system by the Ministry of the Interior.

TheCHILDREN: titleContent provides a search tool to find out where to take photos:

Find contact information for qualified photographers and approved cabins

Photo must respect several characteristics.

In image

Examples of accepted or rejected photos

Examples of accepted or rejected photos

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Examples of accepted or rejected photos - plus de détails dans le texte suivant l’infographie
Crédits: Direction de l'information légale et administrativeInfographie - Examples of accepted or rejected photos

ID: standards

Topic

Obligations

Quality

The photo must be clear, without folding or trace.

Format

  • Width: 3.5 cm
  • Height: 4.5 cm
  • Face Size: between 3.2 and 3.6 cm (70 to 80% of the picture), from the bottom of the chin to the top of the skull (without hair)

Brightness, contrast and colours

The photograph shall not exhibit over-exposure or under-exposure.

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

A colour photo is strongly recommended.

Background

The background should be solid, light (light blue or light grey for example).

White background is prohibited.

Head

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

The head must be straight and the face directed towards the objective.

Look and expression

We have to set the goal.

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

Face and eyes

The face must be clear.

The eyes must be perfectly visible and open.

Hair

Hair should not cover the face.

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

Ears should be clear.

Glasses and frames

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

However, if you wear them:

  • The mount must not be thick and must not hide the eyes
  • Glasses shall be neither tinted nor coloured and without reflection

    • Warning  

    if the photo does not meet certain criteria, it will be rejected and the identity document will not be issued.

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