French child or baby passport photo (35×45 mm)

Official Photo Size and Head Proportions

When you apply for a minor passport in France, the authorities require a specific photo format^[1]. The official size for this document is 35 by 45 millimetres, which translates to about 1.38 by 1.77 inches^[2]. Gathering all correct documents is an important step when preparing for your appointment.

You must also pay close attention to the head measurements within that frame. The head height must measure between 32 and 36 millimetres, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head^[2].

The application requires you to supply one recent photo that meets all these criteria^[1][2]. Double-check these numbers before you print your photo sheet.

Background and Lighting Specifications

The background behind your child is strictly regulated by the official guidelines. You must use a plain, light-coloured background such as light blue or light grey; white is prohibited^[2].

Avoid patterned walls, textured wallpaper, or any objects visible in the frame. The lighting should be even across the entire background and your child's face.

Stand your child away from the wall slightly to prevent harsh shadows from forming behind them. Natural light from a large window often works best for capturing a clear and crisp image without flash glare.

Facial Expressions, Glasses and Headwear

Official rules state that the subject must maintain a neutral expression with the mouth closed^[2]. This can be challenging with babies, so you may need to take several pictures to get the right look.

Your child's eyes must be open and looking directly toward the camera lens. Tinted glasses or heavy frames are restricted, as glasses are conditional under the rules^[2].

Headwear is strictly prohibited unless worn for religious or medical reasons^[2]. Even in those cases, the face from the chin to the forehead and the edges of the face must remain fully visible.

Rules and Exceptions for Infants and Children

Parents often wonder if babies and toddlers have different photo standards than adults. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprint collection, but they are not exempt from the photo requirement^[2].

The photo dimensions and general rules are the same as for adults, meaning babies must also follow the sizing and background standards^[2].

When the time comes to submit your paperwork, a parent or guardian and the child must attend the application appointment together^[2]. Plan ahead to keep your child calm during this process.

Taking the Photo Step by Step

The photo must be taken by an authorized photographer or in a booth using an approved system^[2].

For older children, have them sit on a chair against a plain wall that matches the required background colours^[2]. Keep the camera lens at the child's exact eye level to avoid unwanted distortion.

Upload your best picture to the tool above to check the proportions and crop it to the correct dimensions.

Printing and Submitting the Final Photo

For an application in France, provide one recent photo that meets the official rules^[1][2].

Format your cropped photo onto a standard 4 by 6 inch photo template so you can print multiple copies easily. You can print this sheet at any local photo kiosk as an ordinary print.

Take your printed photo to the French Ministry of the Interior, prefecture, sub-prefecture, or consular post abroad during your scheduled appointment^[1][2].

Common Reasons Photos Are Refused

Many applications get delayed because the submitted photo fails basic quality checks. If the background contains white or distracting patterns, the office will reject it immediately^[2].

Smiling with an open mouth, showing teeth, or tilting the head will also cause your photo to be refused^[2]. Make sure the lighting is even and does not create dark shadows on the face or background.