Aruban National ID Card Photo Guide
Understand the photo and application rules for the Aruban national ID card, known as the cedula.
Understanding Official Size Guidelines
The official application instructions do not specify a photo size for the Aruban ID card[1][2].
The official application instructions do not specify photo dimensions or a head-height measurement[1][2]. Ask the issuing office if you need to provide a photo.
While photo studios often use common dimensions like 35 by 45 millimeters for general passport needs, the official government guidelines do not list strict dimensions for the identification card process[1][2].
How the Aruban Authority Captures Portraits
Official application instructions require you to visit the office in person to complete your request[1][2]. The official application page does not ask you to bring a physical or digital photo with you to the appointment[1].
The application instructions do not say whether staff take a portrait during the visit[1].
The application must be made in person, but the instructions do not say whether staff take a portrait during the visit[1].
Preparing Photos at Home with the Tool
You can use the tool above to practice framing a portrait for your own use.
The tool lets you crop an image and check its framing on your device.
You can also use the tool to make a sheet that you can print as an ordinary 4 by 6-inch photo at a local kiosk if you need a picture for personal use.
To use the browser tool, upload a clear picture of yourself and adjust the framing so your head is centered properly in the preview frame.
Background and Lighting Rules
The official sources do not list a specific background color or lighting requirement for the identification card portrait[1][2]. Since the official setup happens at the government office, you do not need to worry about painting a wall or buying special equipment.
If you want to practice taking a portrait at home for fun or other documents, face a soft light source like a window. Keep the camera at eye level about one to one and a half meters away from your face for a natural look.
Avoid harsh shadows under your chin or nose. Stand a short distance away from the background wall to prevent dark shadows behind your head. Having a helper take the picture works much better than using a front-facing selfie camera.
Glasses, Headwear, and Expressions
The governing decrees and public guidelines do not specify rules regarding wearing glasses in your identification photo[1][2]. Headwear permissions are also unspecified in the official source texts provided by the government[1][2].
Similarly, the authority does not state formal requirements for a neutral facial expression or a closed mouth in the published instructions[1][2]. When you go to your appointment, simply follow the instructions given to you by the staff on site.
Rules for Children and Family Applications
The ID-card application must be made in person. Applicants under 16 must attend with a parent or guardian; applicants aged 16 or older may apply on their own[1]. The page gives no separate photo rules for children.
The official page gives no separate photo rules for children. A parent or guardian must attend if the applicant is under 16[1].
Before Your Appointment
Check all your paperwork and required documents before heading to the government office in Aruba[1][2].
Bring the documents listed for your application, such as your current ID card or, for a first application, a passport[1].
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring a printed photo for my Aruban ID card?
The official instructions require an in-person application and do not ask you to bring a photo[1].
What is the official photo size for the cedula?
Can I use my own camera to submit a photo?
The instructions require an in-person application and do not ask applicants to submit a photo[1].
Are glasses allowed in the ID photo?
Are there special rules for children's photos?
The applicant must apply in person, and the official application page does not describe a separate child photo rule[1].