France Passport Photo: professional photo required
Passeport (France)
This document needs a photo from a professional photographer or an approved booth, so a home photo is not accepted. That is why we do not offer one.
The authority asks for a professional photo, so you make it at your own risk, without the refund guarantee.
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Why: France requires this photo to come from an approved photographer or photo booth.
Good
Head too small
Busy background
Quick answer
A France Passport Photo must be 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in), with the head 32–36 mm from chin to top of head, with a background that is light blue, light grey, or other plain light colour, taken within the last 6 months. France requires this photo to come from an approved photographer or photo booth.
- Printed photo
- 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Verified October 3, 2026 from service-public.gouv.fr (DILA / Ministère de l'Intérieur).
Need a photo for a visa instead?
Photo requirements
Summarised from the official sources below.
- Printed photo
- 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
- Head size (chin to top of head)
- 32–36 mm (70–80 % of the photo height)
- Background
- Light blue, light grey, other plain light colour. Plain, light colour; WHITE BACKGROUND IS FORBIDDEN ('Le fond blanc est interdit').
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, looking into the lens, eyes open and fully visible.
- Glasses
- Optional; if worn: thin frame not masking the eyes, lenses not tinted/coloured, no reflections.
- Head covering
- Head must be bare (no hat, scarf, headband); no religious exception stated on service-public.fr.
- Photo age
- Taken within the last 6 months
More rules (7)
- taken by a 'professionnel habilité' or in a booth using a system approved by the Ministère de l'Intérieur (service-public.fr)
- only ONE photo needed for a CNI or passport application
- sharp, no creases or marks, no over/under-exposure, no shadow on face or background
- colour strongly recommended
- ears uncovered; hair must not cover the face; fringe OK if eyes visible
- earrings/piercings allowed if facial features clearly visible
- if the photo is non-compliant the application is rejected
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- Checked against the official rules Every rule comes from the issuing authority’s own website, last verified on October 3, 2026.
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Official sources
Verified on October 3, 2026
- Quelle photo fournir pour un titre d'identité (passeport, carte d'identité...) ? — service-public.gouv.fr (DILA / Ministère de l'Intérieur)
- Carte d'identité / Passeport : la photo peut-elle être prise au guichet ? — service-public.gouv.fr
- Arrêté du 5 février 2009 relatif à la production de photographies d'identité (passeport) — legifrance.gouv.fr
Questions
What size is a France Passport Photo?
Printed: 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in).
Can I take my France Passport Photo at home?
No. France requires this photo to come from an approved photographer or photo booth.
What background is required?
Light blue, light grey, other plain light colour. Plain, light colour; WHITE BACKGROUND IS FORBIDDEN ('Le fond blanc est interdit').
Can I smile?
Neutral, mouth closed, looking into the lens, eyes open and fully visible.
Can I wear glasses?
Optional; if worn: thin frame not masking the eyes, lenses not tinted/coloured, no reflections.
Can I wear a head covering?
Head must be bare (no hat, scarf, headband); no religious exception stated on service-public.fr.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months.
More France documents
Other documents that use 35×45 mm
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