Passport Photo Sizes in 2021

Hello everyone, friends! Have you ever taken a photograph for documents and been disappointed to see the result? This is what happened with my new passport: I can barely see my facial features, not to mention wrinkles or moles. But the main thing is that in about 30% of cases, inspectors have questions, and at the same time you have to show your driver’s license. I decided that next time I would take the picture myself so that I would be satisfied with the result. True, you will have to take into account the nuances associated with a passport photo: the 2021 requirements cover all aspects of the issue. Let's figure out the intricacies together to avoid mistakes!

Requirements for the photo for the Russian passport of the new and old sample

Photos in your passport are a component without which the document will not be valid. The law requires that new ones be installed at the ages of 20 and 45: during this period, noticeable changes in appearance occur. You will need to hand over your old passport and get a new one; the procedure can be carried out earlier if there have been dramatic changes in appearance (for example, gender reassignment).

Sizes to meet the requirements for the new pattern in 2021.

The passport photograph must meet strict requirements. Please pay attention to the following details in advance:

A person should not close or squint their eyes. While shooting, look into the camera lens.
Facial expression is neutral, calm. An ear-to-ear smile distorts your features, and subsequently your passport may not be accepted, especially if you look at the inspector from under your brows. Lips should be closed.
Hats, berets and other headdresses will have to be removed. An exception is made for citizens who cannot leave their heads uncovered due to religious reasons. But even in this case, you will have to choose a dress that does not hide your facial features.
You may be wearing glasses if you wear them all the time. Choose a model with transparent glasses that do not hide your eyes. There should be no glare on the glasses in the passport photograph.
Tilt or turn your head is not allowed.

Keep these requirements in mind and you won't have to be rejected because your passport photo is of poor quality.

Do not smile too much: according to the requirements of 2021 in the Russian Federation, this is contrary to the model

What to wear for passport photos

If glasses are worn on a regular basis, then there is no need to remove them. Lenses must only be transparent, and no glare can appear on them. Glasses should be worn with lenses such that the color of the eyes is clearly visible. The existing frame cannot cover the eyebrows and distort the appearance of the nose.

For children, it is recommended to apply for an old passport with a validity of five years. The fact is that they grow quickly and change their appearance, and an outdated photograph can create problems when crossing state borders. Another problem with children. Even an experienced professional cannot always take a successful photograph of a child; migration service employees do not have such skills and are unlikely to be able to take a high-quality photo for a biometric foreign passport.

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Dimensions and proportions for passport photos: follow the template

The legislation contains standard requirements:

The passport photo size is 35x45 mm.
The face should occupy 70-80% of the total area.
5 mm from the top of the crown to the edge .
The distance at which the pupils are located from each other according to the rules is also regulated - at least 7 mm . 12 mm from the horizontal axis on which the pupils are located to the chin .
There are requirements for head height ( 30-32 mm ) and width ( 18-25 mm ).

How are citizens photographed for a Russian passport? The shooting takes place in a well-lit room, and high demands are placed on the result. Color quality, sharpness, contrasts - everything must correspond to them.

User experience: what to pay attention to

Recently I had to change my Russian passport ahead of schedule because my old one had no space left on page 19. I wasn't worried because I didn't know what was in store for me. I took photos showing me with a modest hairstyle and minimal makeup, and went to get a new document.

After standing in line for a couple of hours, I noticed that every other person’s photo was not accepted. The refusals were argued by the fact that eyebrows and ears should be visible in the photographs in 2018. My neighbor in line almost cried: nature gave her chubby cheeks, behind which her ears are not visible! The situation seems funny, but not for overweight people. As a result, they took the poor woman’s version, which had visible earrings (apparently as a sign of ears).

But what should those whose photographs were not accepted do? They were sent to the treasured door, on which was the inscription “Photo for documents,” and the cost of the service was 50% higher than in the city. But I had to fork out more so as not to wait in line again. I asked for a check, but they didn’t give me one, so I couldn’t find out whose pocket the money went into. At home, I checked the information and did not find any new rules on the FMS website.

Passport photo: criteria for a new sample

The requirements put forward for the Russian Federation in 2021 are clearly formulated. All provisions must be followed, otherwise you will have to take new photos.

Color spectrum

Color and black and white photographs are accepted , although the latter option is not recommended.

The background

Until recently, you could bring a photo taken against a plain, dim background . But now only white is acceptable, and the presence of a pattern or an accidentally fallen shadow will be grounds for refusal.

Which paper to choose for the old or new sample

When choosing between glossy and matte paper, remember: the 2018 rules for the Russian Federation require only gloss .

Matte paper, which was accepted in the past, is now sometimes used for passport photos, especially for photographs of children. The fact is that they are stamped without covering them with film: the imprint does not stick to the gloss.

Human appearance

Looking at the sample passport photo, you will notice that there are also requirements for the citizen’s appearance :

It is not recommended to wear flashy makeup, especially if it significantly changes facial features. It is better to choose matte lipstick in neutral shades.
Avoid creative and trendy hairstyles if, after styling, the strands fall onto your face. Young people choose options when the hair covers part of the cheeks, but such a photo will not be accepted at the MFC. Also check that the bangs do not interfere with your eyebrows; if necessary, comb them to the side or pin them up.
Should I shave my beard? If you plan to wear it constantly, you can do without such a measure. But problems may arise later, although changes in appearance are a natural thing that no one will prohibit. The only thing that matters is how much you will transform by shaving your beard.
Colored contact lenses will need to be removed. However, transparent products necessary for vision correction are allowed.
Taking pictures with your hair down is allowed, but it is advisable to tuck it behind your ears.

Keep these details in mind when you take your passport photo, and you won't have to spend money on a new photo shoot.

Girls should pay special attention to makeup, because heavy makeup will be grounds for refusal by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Do you want to have a good photo in your passport? Then this is the place for you

We won’t show it to everyone, so there’s no need to worry about how we look in this photo. But meanwhile, there are quite a lot of cases in life when you need to show your passport. And then we have to blush and feel embarrassed when someone, looking at this document, begins to doubt that it is us in the picture.

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That is why you must take this process seriously, and it is best to prepare for it in advance, so that there is no such situation when you rush to decide what you will be photographed in, and quickly apply makeup, and then reap the benefits in the form a terrible photo that is embarrassing to show to anyone.

What clothes should you wear for a Russian passport photo?

Do you want to get a passport with a photo without any problems? Pay attention to the choice of clothing :

It is not advisable to wear light-colored outfits, as they will blend into the background and the photo will be overexposed. If you are doing color photography, choose clothes in green, blue, or purple. Shades should be calm, without unnecessary saturation and neon notes.
Colorful T-shirts, checkered shirts, tracksuits are not the best choice. Bet on monochrome colors, and if you can’t refuse prints, prefer a discreet option.
A deep neckline is not recommended, as is an abundance of jewelry. Such a photo may not be accepted for a Russian passport or other documents.
Taking photographs in uniform is not permitted.

Is it possible to take a passport photo wearing a hijab? In fact, the laws of the Russian Federation allow this option, since wearing this item of clothing is determined by religious views. But you need to make sure that the hijab does not change the shape of the face and does not interfere with seeing the chin and forehead to the hairline.

How to take a beautiful passport photo

Makeup.
Pay attention to your face. Make sure there is no swelling and your look is fresh. A skilled photographer, of course, will retouch all the flaws, but, nevertheless, it is better to be fully prepared. Do not perform all kinds of manipulations with your face, such as peeling, the day before you go to be photographed. The eyes should be beautifully highlighted. But don’t overdo it, there’s absolutely no need for too much shadow. It is enough to apply gloss or hygienic lipstick to your lips.
Hairstyle.
It can be completely different, since there are simply no special requirements for a hairstyle. The only thing you should do to successfully take a passport photo is to carefully comb your hair so that it does not get on your face.
Cloth.
The most important thing is to carefully consider what you wear for your passport photo. First of all, pay attention to the color of the clothes. It should not be too light so as not to blend into the background. As for the style, the ideal option would be a classic shirt or sweater with a V-neck. You should not wear a blouse with a bow or frill.

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As a rule, a passport is made for a long time, so you really want the photo in it to be truly successful. But, unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way. After all, quality depends not only on the professionalism of the photographer, but also on how his client looks.

How to submit a passport photo through the State Services website: new instructions

Citizens increasingly prefer not to stand in queues, but to submit replacement documents through the State Services website. This also applies to obtaining a passport, but when filling out the application form and providing scans, the question arises of how to upload a photo. If the system rejects the file, check whether the snapshot meets the following requirements:

Only image files in .jpeg ;
resolution - 600 dpi and more;
weight - 300 KB ;
image bit depth is 8 bits for black and white and 24 bits for color.

The instructions on the Gosuslugi portal specify that when submitting an application for a replacement Russian passport, the photo is uploaded electronically directly to the site. You can take a photo at home or contact the salon, asking them to provide not printouts, but a file in the required format.

Thanks to new technologies, it will be easier to understand whether the result of your work matches the sample

It will be possible to determine whether the result meets the requirements at the loading stage. You will see hints at what level the top of your head and chin should be positioned, so you can make adjustments as needed. You will learn from the video how to process a photo so that it is suitable for a new Russian passport.

Is it possible to take a photo for a Russian passport at home?

The law of the Russian Federation allows you to accept photographs taken at home if they correspond to the sample. To cope with the task, consider the following:

You will need a good camera , because using a camera on your phone is unlikely to get the desired result.
Lighting should be even, without glare. In a professional studio, this is provided with a couple of lamps and umbrellas. At home, you will have to be content with daylight, to which the camera flash will be added. Make sure that the light source is directly in front of you, otherwise the appearance of a shadow cannot be avoided.
Take pictures against the backdrop of a wall hung with a white cloth or blank Whatman paper.
Position yourself at a distance of 0.8 m from the background, and place the device 1-3 m from you.
Don't forget to turn on the flash and red-eye reduction. Focus on your eyes, but if the camera can't handle it, use the face detection function.

When the photo is ready, transfer it to your computer and start making adjustments.

An example of a successful option made at home: according to the requirements, you only need to remove the shadow under the chin

Initially, convert the file to .JPEG format and set the white balance based on the whites of the eyes: the result is ready for processing with special programs.

What programs should I use to process Russian passport photos?

To ensure that the result of your efforts corresponds to the generally accepted model, it can be corrected using the “Photo for Documents Online” or “Studio Pro” programs. But, since the functionality of the free versions is limited, it is preferable to use Photoshop :

Using the “Frame”, which is called up via “C”, set the proportions arbitrarily, and define the ratio as 3.5x4.5 cm. Please note that the unit of measurement is not inches.
Check that the background does not have a bluish or bluish tint. If necessary, make adjustments using the video instructions.

All that remains is to save the result of your work by pressing Alt + Shift + Ctrl + S and specifying the desired size and quality. If you wish, you can print the photo or upload it to the State Services website in electronic form.

Problems often arise if you do not have the ability to print photos at home. When you come to a photo salon with a finished result, the employees are not interested in cooperation. As a result, the owners of such establishments set inflated prices for printing photos for documents, and you save almost nothing. To avoid such situations, go to a computer club rather than a salon: they almost always have both photo paper and a color printer.

According to the requirements of the Russian Federation, in 2021, passport photos are allowed to be taken at home

How to take a good photo

Only a few manage to get a good passport photo. But if you use some tricks in clothing, hairstyle and makeup, the chances of making a successful shot are much greater.

The right clothes

Clothing in neutral colors is best - black, dark blue, gray, brown.
For color photographs, purple, green, and red are also suitable. Three-piece suits paired with a light (but not white) shirt look impressive on men. Models with checks, prints, especially shiny finishes are canceled for photos. Sportswear is definitely prohibited.

A woman needs to wear a blouse whose neckline, when cropping the photo, will not make her, in fact, naked. Costume jewelry is kept to a minimum, and what is available should look aesthetically pleasing and as neat as possible, without being provocative.

Women's tricks

Adequate rest helps to achieve a healthy tone. Avoiding puffiness, bags and bruises under the eyes can be avoided by avoiding large amounts of liquid before bed. Some minor skin imperfections are hidden by concealer or foundation.
Facial features are slightly emphasized: a little blush is applied to the cheekbones and nose, the forehead and chin, on the contrary, are highlighted. The face is then covered with a light powder to avoid flash reflection.
The eyes are slightly lined, the eyelashes are lengthened with dark mascara.
It is advisable not to paint your lips, especially with gloss. You can use beige or light pink lipstick.
It is better to style your hair or braid it, because a bun and a ponytail make your head look bald in the photo. It’s better to avoid backcombing so that your head doesn’t seem too painful later.

Training for men

The process of image formation for men takes much less time and does not require such time expenditure.

The simplest requirements are that before taking photographs you need to wash, shave and comb your hair.
It is advisable to get your hair cut within one and a half to two weeks. Then the hairstyle will seem well-groomed and very neat.
Colored T-shirts with bright prints and patterns are definitely out. Solid colored suits and shirts work best.
Naturally, things are carefully ironed before going to a photo salon.

Cost and number of passport photos

To change a Russian passport, its owner provides 2 photos : one for pasting into the document, and the second for storage in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. If you need temporary identification, please bring an additional photo.

When contacting a photo salon, you won’t be able to order 2-3 pictures: usually they produce at least 4. The price depends on the city and the urgency of the service, because in Moscow the cost starts from 200 ₽, and in the regions you can find an option for 100 ₽. But don’t think that going to a salon automatically means quality: it happens that clients give money, but the photos are not accepted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs because they do not match the sample.

To avoid unpleasant situations, you can contact the MFC, where you will submit documents and immediately take a photo.

How many photos do you need?

To obtain the main document of a citizen of the Russian Federation, it is important to provide the necessary documents in the required quantity.

Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 851 dated November 13, 2017 indicates how many photos are needed on a passport for different cases:

2 photographs - if the document is received at the age of 14 (or in other cases when it is received for the first time);
2 photographs - if an application to replace a document is submitted;
2 photos - if the document is lost or stolen.

If you are refused to accept documents because two photos are not enough, and they ask you to provide 4, this is illegal. In such a situation, refer to Part II of Order No. 851 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, section “Exhaustive list of documents.” For all situations, it indicates how many photographs are needed for a passport - 2 pieces, there is no mention of 4 anywhere. If department employees require additional photos, let them resolve this issue on their own (scan, photocopy), but they do not have the right to demand from you more photographs than indicated in the order.

This rule works if you do not need other supporting documents at the time of replacing the main document. If you are asking for a temporary identity card, you will need an additional photograph for a Russian passport (1 piece). It will be pasted into the temporary identity card. When a new document is prepared, it is not necessary to hand over the temporary one to an employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, since it automatically becomes invalid.

What photos will not be accepted for a Russian passport?

You may be denied service if the photos provided do not match the sample. The most common mistakes made are:

provide a crumpled or stained paper photograph;
the person in the photo is smiling, showing his teeth;
wrong size chosen;
the person is too close or too far from the camera;
hair covers eyebrows or cheeks;
there is a “corner” in the photo.

Take into account possible errors, and difficulties will not arise.

Failure to meet the requirements will be grounds for refusal