Get Your Best French Passport Photo

What are the official French requirements for passport photos?

Applying for the French passport renewal, or getting it for the first time? The compiled information below will answer most of your questions on French passport photo requirements.

• How many photos: 2 (only 1 color photo for online submission)
• Size: 35x45 mm
• Recency: last 6 months
• Head size: between 32 and 36 mm. Your face from the bottom of your chin to the top of the head (excluding hair) should take up 70–80% of the entire photo
• Background: light blue or light gray. White background isn’t allowed
• Head covering: not allowed except for religious reasons (e.g., hijab). Note that the image must still clearly show your entire face
• Alternations: not allowed. Your biometric passport photo must not be edited. You can’t change saturation or remove the red-eye effect
• Accessories: allowed.You can wear facial piercings if they don't hide your natural facial features
• Smiling: keep a neutral face expression
• Glasses: you can wear glasses (read below about specific guidelines) 
• Clothing: not specified. We recommend avoiding light color clothes that could blend with the background
• Make-up: allowed as long as it still presents your natural look and facial features

Remember that a passport photo (or a visa photo) must have high resolution. For the best results, take pictures in natural light. Avoid the most common mistakes when taking passport photos to ensure your image will meet all French passport photo requirements, such as over or under-saturated lighting, unacceptable background color, or incorrect head positioning.

Do you need visa photos? The passport photo requirements are the same as those for French visa photos (except the recency—the photo must be no older than 1 month). So, follow them to take your visa photos as well.

Do you need more details on any of the rules? Find comprehensive information below.

French passport photo requirements: size

What is the French passport photo size? The official requirements given by the French authorities mention the size in centimeters. But, for your convenience, the table below provides all the dimensions required for passport photos in metric and imperial units.

Planning to renew your French passport in the US? Find the required French passport photo size in inches below. 

Note: Thanks to our passport photo maker, your photo size will be adjusted automatically as per the official France passport requirements. Simply upload a photo, and we’ll do the rest!

Glasses in French passport pictures

The French authorities note that you can take off your glasses for a photo, even if you wear them on a daily basis. However, you can wear prescription glasses in a photo submitted with a passport application form if you want to. In such a case, follow these instructions:

• Avoid thick-framed glasses or glasses with dark frames
• Your spectacles must not cover any parts of your eyes
• Tinted lenses aren’t allowed

French passport photo requirements: hairstyles & facial hair

Not sure if a passport photo with bangs is allowed? Yes, it is. France passport photo requirements don’t include any strict rules on what hairstyle you should wear for your passport picture. But note that regardless of your haircut, the requirements below must be met:

• Bangs must not cover your eyes
• Your hair should not cover your face (ears, jawline, chin). We suggest you tuck your hair behind the ears

Wearing a beard is acceptable if you wear one normally. 

Requirements for French baby passport photos

A passport is a crucial identity document if you want to travel with your young ones, and biometric photographs for children usually follow more relaxed rules. For older children, the head dimensions should be between 29 and 34 mm. The other rules are the same as for adult passports.

If you want to take a French passport picture for your newborn (under 12 months), consider this:

• You can place your baby on a light-colored cloth. Take the picture from above, with the baby looking directly at the camera
• No other objects (toys, pacifiers) or other people can be visible in the photo

Your baby must also keep a neutral facial expression (eyes open and mouth closed). We know that keeping your newborn still can be a challenge. Especially since it may be hard to get a compliant picture on the first try. With our passport photo app, you can take as many photos as you want without leaving your home!

We also recommend looking at our guide on taking baby passport photos to get valid biometric pictures. 

Note: Did you know you can take your French passport image with your phone? Keep reading to discover how to take a perfect biometric photo conveniently!

Are French visa photo requirements the same as for French passports?

Yes. Both official documents require biometric photographs following the same rules. The only exception is a photo’s recency: visa photos must be no older than 1 month. If you want to take a French visa photo, the other guidelines we provided will ensure your application gets accepted.

Where to get French passport photos near me?

To find the most suitable place to snap your passport pictures, simply Google “French passport photos near me” and get a map of locations in your area.

But if you don’t have time for photo booths or a professional photographer, get your French passport photo online!

We come with a more convenient option—take a perfect passport photo at home and print it for pennies! Many convenience stores and pharmacies offer printing services suitable for biometric photos. 

With a digital camera on your phone, you can get images compliant with all France passport photo requirements in no time. Our photo app will help you prepare acceptable pictures for all official French documents, including visa photos compliant with France visa photo requirements.