Professional photo

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.

Example France Passport Photo: a woman with short natural hair, 35×45 mm, light blue background (fictional AI-generated model)Good
35×45 mm · light blue backgroundExample (AI-generated model)
  • Wrong France Passport Photo: the head is too small in the frame (fictional AI-generated model)Head too small
  • Wrong France Passport Photo: a busy room is visible behind the person instead of a plain light blue background (fictional AI-generated model)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

Why people choose Ovalight

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  • Your photo stays on your phone Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
  • 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

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

Ovalight is an independent service. Only the authority that issues your document decides whether to accept a photo.