France · Passport · Printed submission photo · Printable sheet
France Passport - Printed Photo
For a French passport application using a supplied printed photo, the physical photo size is 35 x 45 mm (35 mm wide by 45 mm high); the photo must be less than six months old. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source
The face must measure 32–36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the skull, excluding hair. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source
France Passport - Printed Photo source-backed photo requirements, examples, retake guidance, and local privacy notes. For applicants using a printed passport photo supplied at filing, the French photo characteristics below apply. Filing routes vary by metropolitan or overseas location; some overseas counters may capture the photo when no professional photographer is available. This page does not establish a digital photo-file upload contract. Use this as local guidance, then verify current official instructions before submitting.
Open local photo tool- Photo size
- 35 x 45 mm
- Face height
- 32–36 mm
- Background
- light gray; plain
- Dataset version
- e6a3cf1a
- Field verification
- 2026-10-27
- Output
- Printable sheet
How to prepare this photo
- Use one photo taken by an authorized professional or in a booth with a system approved by the French Interior Ministry. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source
- Use a plain light-blue or light-grey background; white is prohibited. Avoid cast shadows and poor exposure. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source
- Keep the head uncovered and straight, face the camera, look at the lens, and use a neutral expression with the mouth closed. If wearing glasses, keep the eyes visible and avoid tinted or reflective lenses. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source
Scope and limitations
- This flow covers a printed photo supplied with a passport application. It does not establish official digital-upload file requirements. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source
- Filing arrangements vary by location; the reviewed guidance says overseas arrangements depend on the application location and whether a professional photographer is available. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source
Official Sources
Published by Tejji. This guidance is not an official issuing-authority service and does not imply government affiliation.
- Quelle photo fournir pour un titre d'identité (passeport, carte d'identité...) ? | Service Public — Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source record reviewed 2026-10-26
- Carte d'identité / Passeport : la photo peut-elle être prise au guichet ? | Service Public — Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source record reviewed 2026-10-26
Full photo specifications
| Requirement | Published rule and evidence |
|---|---|
| Document and applicant scope | For applicants using a printed passport photo supplied at filing, the French photo characteristics below apply. Filing routes vary by metropolitan or overseas location; some overseas counters may capture the photo when no professional photographer is available. This page does not establish a digital photo-file upload contract. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source |
| Output type | Printable sheet |
| Printed photo dimensions | 35 x 45 mm Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source |
| Face height | 32–36 mm Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source |
| Measurement reference points | Bottom of the chin to top of the skull, excluding hair Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source |
| Background | Use a plain light blue or light grey background; white is prohibited. Avoid cast shadows, overexposure, and underexposure. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source |
| Pose and framing | Head uncovered and straight; face toward the camera; eyes open and visible; neutral expression with the mouth closed. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source |
| Eyes and eye-line | The source requires eyes to be visible, open, and directed toward the camera; it provides no numeric eye-line distance. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source |
| Additional requirements | The photo must be less than six months old and resemble the applicant. One photo is supplied for a passport or identity-card application. The photo must be taken by an authorized professional or in a booth using a system approved by the Ministry of the Interior. The photo must be sharp, without creases or marks. Avoid overexposure, underexposure, poor contrast, and cast shadows; a color photo is strongly recommended. Use a plain light background, such as light blue or light grey; white is prohibited. Keep the head uncovered and straight, face toward the camera, eyes open and visible, and expression neutral with the mouth closed. Keep the face, eyes, hairline, and ears unobstructed. Glasses are optional; if worn, frames must not be thick or cover the eyes, and lenses must not be tinted, colored, or reflective. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source |
| Digital file scope | This flow covers the physical printed photo supplied at filing. Digital file format, pixel-size, and file-size requirements are outside this flow. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source |
| Editing policy | The cited physical-photo requirements do not state a digital editing or retouching policy. Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source |
Nearest-page comparison
Both printed photos are 35 × 45 mm. France uses a 32–36 mm face-height range (70–80%, chin to skull excluding hair), a plain light blue or light grey background with white prohibited, and an authorized professional or approved booth. The UK source uses a 29–34 mm crown-to-chin range and a plain cream or light grey background. The filing/provider paths also differ.
- outer photo dimensions
- measurement subject and reference points
- face-height range
- background rule
- provider and filing route
Photo rejection risks
These source-based risks are unranked by the issuing authority.
- The photo is six months old or older, or no longer resembles the applicant.
- The print is not 35 × 45 mm, or face height is outside 32–36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the skull, excluding hair.
- The background is white, patterned, dark, or has a cast shadow or incorrect exposure.
- The head is covered or turned away, or the expression is not neutral with the mouth closed.
- The eyes, face, hairline, or ears are obscured, or glasses hide the eyes or have tinted or reflective lenses.
Local print price example
Photomaton: €8 for 6 passport photos, observed 2026-10-26. Location: France; exact booth not selected.
Photomaton lists an indicative €8 for six passport photos. Prices may change and vary by booth and location; no specific booth was selected. This is a variable retailer example, not a national rate or an official document rule.
View Photomaton price sourceField-level source evidence
Each listed excerpt supports the named artifact fields. Translations are labeled and are not represented as official English text.
Quelle photo fournir pour un titre d'identité (passeport, carte d'identité...) ? | Service Public — Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government · reviewed 2026-10-26
Supports: printed photo height, printed photo width, maximum face or head height, maximum subject percentage, measurement reference points, measurement subject, minimum face or head height, minimum subject percentage
Source locator: Rendered Service Public F10619, table “Photo d'identité : normes à respecter”, rows “Format” and “Taille du visage”.
Largeur : 3,5 cm. Hauteur : 4,5 cm. Taille du visage : entre 3,2 et 3,6 cm (soit 70 à 80% de la photo), du bas du menton au sommet du crâne (hors cheveux).
English translation (not official English text): Width 3.5 cm; height 4.5 cm. Face height is 3.2–3.6 cm (70–80% of the photo), measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the skull (excluding hair).
Quelle photo fournir pour un titre d'identité (passeport, carte d'identité...) ? | Service Public — Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government · reviewed 2026-10-26
Supports: additional photo requirements, photo rejection risks
Source locator: Rendered Service Public F10619, introduction and paragraph immediately before the requirements table.
La photo d'identité doit avoir été prise il y a moins de 6 mois et être ressemblante. Pour une demande de carte d'identité ou de passeport, il n'y a qu'une seule photo à fournir. La photo doit être prise par un professionnel habilité ou dans une cabine utilisant un système agréé par le ministère de l'intérieur.
English translation (not official English text): The identity photo must be less than six months old and resemble the applicant. One photo is supplied for a passport or national ID application. It must be taken by an authorized professional or in a booth using a system approved by the Ministry of the Interior.
Quelle photo fournir pour un titre d'identité (passeport, carte d'identité...) ? | Service Public — Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government · reviewed 2026-10-26
Supports: additional photo requirements, background requirements, permitted background colors, plain background requirement, shadow requirement, photo rejection risks
Source locator: Rendered Service Public F10619, requirements table rows “Qualité”, “Luminosité, contraste et couleurs”, and “Fond”.
La photo doit être nette, sans pliure, ni traces. La photo ne doit présenter ni surexposition, ni sous-exposition. Elle doit être correctement contrastée, sans ombre portée sur le visage ou en arrière-plan. Une photo en couleurs est fortement recommandée. Le fond doit être uni, de couleur claire (bleu clair ou gris clair par exemple). Le fond blanc est interdit.
English translation (not official English text): The photo must be sharp, with no folds or marks. It must not be overexposed or underexposed, must have proper contrast, and must have no cast shadow on the face or background. A color photo is strongly recommended. The background must be plain and light (for example, light blue or light grey); white is forbidden.
Quelle photo fournir pour un titre d'identité (passeport, carte d'identité...) ? | Service Public — Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government · reviewed 2026-10-26
Supports: additional photo requirements, pose and framing, photo rejection risks
Source locator: Rendered Service Public F10619, requirements table rows “Tête” and “Regard et expression”.
La tête doit être nue. La tête doit être droite et le visage dirigé face à l'objectif. Il faut fixer l'objectif. L'expression doit être neutre et la bouche doit être fermée.
English translation (not official English text): The head must be uncovered and straight, the face must point toward the camera, the applicant must look at the lens, and the expression must be neutral with the mouth closed.
Quelle photo fournir pour un titre d'identité (passeport, carte d'identité...) ? | Service Public — Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government · reviewed 2026-10-26
Supports: additional photo requirements, eye visibility, photo rejection risks
Source locator: Rendered Service Public F10619, requirements table rows “Visage et yeux”, “Cheveux”, and “Lunettes et montures”.
Le visage doit être dégagé. Les yeux doivent être parfaitement visibles et ouverts. Les cheveux ne doivent pas recouvrir le visage. Les oreilles doivent être dégagées. Si vous avez des lunettes, vous n'êtes pas obligé de les porter sur les photos. En revanche, si vous les portez : la monture ne doit pas être épaisse et ne pas masquer les yeux; les verres ne doivent être ni teintés, ni colorés et sans reflet.
English translation (not official English text): The face must be unobstructed; the eyes fully visible and open; hair must not cover the face; and the ears must be unobstructed. Glasses are optional. If worn, frames must not be thick or cover the eyes, and lenses must not be tinted, colored, or reflective.
Quelle photo fournir pour un titre d'identité (passeport, carte d'identité...) ? | Service Public — Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government · reviewed 2026-10-26
Supports: photo rejection risks, risk ranking
Source locator: Rendered Service Public F10619, warning immediately after the requirements table.
Attention : Si la photo ne respecte pas les caractéristiques, elle sera rejetée et le titre d'identité ne sera pas délivré.
English translation (not official English text): Warning: A photo that does not meet these characteristics will be rejected and the identity document will not be issued.
Carte d'identité / Passeport : la photo peut-elle être prise au guichet ? | Service Public — Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government · reviewed 2026-10-26
Supports: editing policy, digital file scope, application and output scope
Source locator: Rendered Service Public F1357, filing-channel answers for “En métropole” and “Outre-mer”.
En métropole ... fournir la photo au moment du dépôt de la demande. Outre-mer : les modalités dépendent du lieu de la demande et de la présence d'un photographe professionnel.
English translation (not official English text): In metropolitan France, supply the photo when filing. Overseas, arrangements depend on the application location and whether a professional photographer is available. The reviewed flow establishes an in-person printed-photo path; a digital-file or editing contract was not verified.
Quelle photo fournir pour un titre d'identité (passeport, carte d'identité...) ? | Service Public — Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government · reviewed 2026-10-26
Supports: nearest-page comparison
Source locator: Service Public F10619 requirements table, rows “Format”, “Taille du visage”, and “Fond”.
The French photo requirements list a 35 × 45 mm print and face height of 32–36 mm (70–80%), from chin to skull excluding hair, on a plain light background; white is prohibited.
GOV.UK: Photo requirements for passport photos — HM Passport Office · reviewed 2026-10-26
Supports: nearest-page comparison
Source locator: UK passport print source, “The size of your printed photos” and “What your printed photos must show”.
Printed passport photos measure 45 mm high by 35 mm wide, and the crown-to-chin image height must be 29–34 mm. Printed photos use a plain cream or light grey background.
Informations pratiques | Photomaton — Photomaton · reviewed 2026-10-27
Supports: price amount, currency, price location, observation date, retail product, price provider, price qualification, quantity, quantity unit, price source link, price qualification
Source locator: Photomaton France FAQ, question “Quels sont les tarifs des photos officielles ?”, rendered HTML; reviewed 2026-10-27.
Passeport (6 photos) : 8 euros. Les tarifs ci-dessous sont donnés à titre indicatif. Certaines cabines peuvent avoir des tarifs différents selon leur emplacement et les accords avec le magasin.
English translation (not official English text): Passport (6 photos): €8. The prices are indicative, and some booths can differ depending on location and agreement with the store.
Examples
- 35 x 45 mm Printable sheet for France Passport - Printed Photo.
- Background example: light gray.
- Output example: use the printable sheet generator for the final downloadable file.
Retake Guidance
- Use a plain background (light gray) with even front lighting.
- Keep the face centered, phone level, and shoulders square to the camera.
- Retake if face height is outside 32-36 mm (bottom of the chin to top of the skull, excluding hair).
- The cited physical-photo requirements do not state a digital editing or retouching policy.
Data Flow
No photo bytes leave this browser for the local capture, validation, crop, report, and download flow unless you explicitly choose a future upload feature.
FAQs
What size should the French passport photo be?
The printed photo is 35 mm wide by 45 mm high. The face-height range is 32–36 mm, measured from the chin to the top of the skull excluding hair.Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source
Can I use a white background?
No. The official guidance requires a plain light background and prohibits white.Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source
Does this page verify a digital photo upload?
No. This page covers the printed photo supplied at filing; a digital photo-file upload contract was not established by the reviewed filing guidance.Direction de l’information légale et administrative, French Government source
What is the example print price?
Photomaton lists an indicative €8 for six passport photos. The exact booth was not selected, and prices can vary by booth and location; this is variable retail pricing, not an official fee or national rate.Photomaton source