Here is the full specification of the French passport photo:1
- Dimensions and Size
- Size: 35mm x 45mm (width x height)
- Head size: Between 32mm and 36mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (excluding hair)
- Head position: Occupies 70% to 80% of the photo vertically
- Top margin: 3mm minimum from the top of the head to the top of the photo
- Technical Specifications
- Format: Color photo only
- Resolution: Minimum 600 dpi (dots per inch)
- File size: Maximum 240 KB for online applications (JPG format only)
- Quality: High quality, clear, and sharp image, with no scratches, creases, or shadows on the face
- Background
- Plain light blue or light gray background (white is not allowed)
- No patterns, objects, or other people visible in the background
- Clothing and Headwear
- No hats, scarves, headbands, or other headwear (except for religious reasons with official documentation)
- Wear clothing that contrasts with the background and avoid busy patterns or anything that covers your face.
- Facial Expression and Position
- The neutral expression, looking directly at the camera with your mouth closed (a slight smile is acceptable)
- Head straight and upright, both shoulders visible
- No open mouth, sunglasses, or facial piercings
Additional Requirements:
- The photo must be recent (taken within the last six months)
- No digital alterations or edits are allowed
- The photo must be printed on high-quality photo paper
Visas for Future Passport Photo Service
Use the Visas for Future passport photo service to get a passport photo that’ll work for your application. Simply take a photo of yourself using our guidelines, send it in, and we’ll edit it. We’ll send you your passport photos by post with free shipping. We deliver to Canada, the EU, the US, and the UK. For individuals outside of those countries, we can deliver your passport photos to your inbox, which you can print at home.
How it works
Take a photo.
We verify your photo.
Passport photos are delivered by post or email.
How to take your passport photo
Here’s how you can take passport photos at home, to ensure that they’ll be high quality:
1.) Stand .5 meters or 2 feet from the wall. This ensures that there’s no shadow on your portrait.
2.) Place the camera 2 meters or 6 feet away from the subject. This will prevent distortion and give you a prettier picture!
3.) Have the camera on the same level as the subject’s face.
4.) Use plenty of lighting. Natural light is preferred but plenty of light in general is the best. Make sure it is even and doesn’t leave a shadow.
Benefits of using an online passport photo service
There are many choices when it comes to getting a passport photo but here are reasons why you should go with an online agent:
- You don’t have to leave your house.
- We know the passport photo rules of the country you’re applying to.
- We validate your photo – we check your passport photo to make sure it is in order.
- Save money with bulk orders – you can order many passport photos and save.
Why choose us
Visas for Future is a convenient service that can help you with your passport photo needs. Here are six reasons why you should choose Visas for Future for your passport photo services:
- Expertise: Our experts ensure that your passport photo meets the official requirements of your destination country.
- Convenience: You can upload your own photo or take one with your smartphone, and we will crop, resize, and enhance it to create a perfect biometric photo.
- Support: We’re visa and passport photo experts. You can ask us travel questions, making your trip-planning process easier.
- Speed: Your photos are shipped within a day!
- Unlimited retakes: You can also take as many photos as you want until you are satisfied with the result.
Tips for Taking a Perfect France Passport Photo
Preparation
- Review official requirements: Double-check the size, background, headwear, and other details.
- Gather materials: You’ll need a plain white or light grey background like a sheet or fabric, good lighting (natural daylight is best), a camera with decent resolution, and a timer or someone to help take the photo.
- Dress appropriately: Wear solid-colored clothing that contrasts with the background and avoid busy patterns or anything that covers your face.
Taking the photo
- Lighting: Use natural daylight from a window. Avoid harsh shadows or uneven lighting. Bounce the light off a white wall or use a diffused lamp if necessary.
- Background: Hang the sheet or fabric smoothly without wrinkles, ensuring it’s large enough to avoid showing in the final picture.
- Camera settings: Set your camera to high resolution and portrait mode (if available).
- Positioning: Stand straight with your shoulders relaxed and facing the camera directly. Center your head and ensure both ears are visible.
- Expression: Maintain a neutral expression, looking directly at the camera with your mouth closed (a slight smile is acceptable).
- Focus and distance: Make sure your face is in focus and well-framed within the picture. Stand about 4-6 feet away from the camera.
- Multiple attempts: Take multiple photos to ensure you capture the best one with the correct expression and positioning.
Additional tips
- Hairstyle: Keep your hair away from your face if possible.
- Glasses: Remove glasses unless medically necessary. If you must wear them, ensure they have no glare and don’t cover your eyes.
- Jewelry: Minimize large jewelry that might distract from your face.
- Cropping: Some online tools and apps can help crop your photo to the correct size while maintaining the required head size ratio.
France Passport Photo Guidelines for Kids and Babies
While the general guidelines for French passport photos are similar for adults and children, there are some slight variations for kids and babies:
Size and Quality
- Same as adults: 35mm x 45mm
Background
- Same as adults: Light blue or light gray, plain
Head Covering
- Same as adults: Not allowed except for religious reasons
Facial Expression
- More lenient: While a neutral expression is preferred, understandingly, babies and young children might not cooperate. A slight smile or open mouth won’t necessarily disqualify the photo.
- For infants: Eyes closed are acceptable.
Positioning
- Infants and toddlers
- Lay them on their backs on a plain white or off-white sheet.
- Ensure no shadows are on their face, especially when taking the photo from above.
- Alternatively, cover a car seat with the sheet and place them in it.
- Older children: Sit upright with both shoulders visible and facing directly at the camera.
Additional Points
- No other people should be in the photo.
- Eyes should be open (except for infants) and looking directly at the camera.
- The mouth should be closed (a slight smile is acceptable for kids).
- Clothing: No specific requirement, but avoid busy patterns or anything that might obscure the face.
- Head size:
- Infants: Not specified, focus on clear facial visibility.
- Older children: 29mm to 34mm (from bottom of chin to top of head, excluding hair).
Samples of France Correct and Incorrect Passport Photos
Steps to get a French passport photo Online
If you’re looking to obtain your passport photo through Visas for Future, here’s a step-by-step process to follow.
Step 1: Visit Visas for Future. Then, you should click on the “Get Passport Photo now” button.
Step 2: Fill out an order form with your name, email, phone number, country of residence, and the country you are applying to.
Step 3: you need to pay the application fee. Once you have done that, you can upload your photo.
Step 4: You will receive your photo in 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard photo size for France?
The standard photo size used in France is generally the same as the standard photo size used in most of Europe, which is 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm. This size is commonly used for official documents such as passports, IDs, and driver’s licenses.
How do I get a passport photo in France?
To get a French passport photo that meets the government’s requirements, use the Visas for Future passport photo service.
- Republic of France. (2023). Service-Public.fr. https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F10619?lang=en [↩]
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Cite this article
MLA Style
Diego, James Abel. "France Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/french-passport-photos-requirements/. Accessed on 14 September 2023.
Chicago Style
Diego, James Abel. "France Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future. September 14, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/french-passport-photos-requirements/.