Preparing Your Burkinabè National Identity Card Photo
For a CNIB, biometric facial data is captured during enrollment at a collection center[1]. The CIB-AES was instituted in 2025, and existing CNIB cards remain valid for five years from the CIB-AES launch[2].
Official Size and Document Types
Burkina Faso issues the Carte Nationale d’Identité Burkinabè (CNIB) and the newer biometric identity card known as the Carte d’identité biométrique AES (CIB-AES)[1][2]. If you hold an older CNIB card, it remains valid during the official transition period[2].
The cited CNIB page gives no photo dimensions[1]. Applicants do not supply a photo for CNIB enrollment; staff capture biometric facial data at the collection center[1].
How the Photo is Captured During Enrollment
For your Burkinabè national identity card, biometric facial capture happens directly during enrollment at an official collection center[1]. Because the office takes the image on-site, applicants do not supply a printed photo for the application process[1].
Facial biometrics are part of the CNIB identification system[1]. You do not need to arrange a photo studio before applying.
Preparing and Practicing at Home
Even though the authority takes your official photo during enrollment, you might want to practice your look at home. You can use the tool above to crop and check your digital picture to the common 35×45 mm size.
Practicing helps you see how your hair and clothing look in a frame of that proportion. You can use the tool to prepare a photo for personal use. The official CNIB facial image is captured during enrollment[1].
Background and Lighting for Practice Photos
There is no photo background specification published because the biometric facial image is captured during enrollment[1]. When you take practice photos at home for your own use, face a window to get soft and even natural light.
Avoid harsh shadows on your face or behind your head. Keep the camera at eye level about one to one and a half meters away, and ask a friend or family member to take the picture so your face stays straight and natural.
Head Height, Glasses, and Headwear Rules
The cited CNIB page gives no head-height, glasses, or headwear specifications[1].
The CNIB page says applicants must apply in person at a data collection center[1]. It does not describe instructions about positioning or removing items, so you should follow all direct instructions given by staff members when you arrive[1].
Preparing Your Personal Photos and Digital Files
If you keep a personal photo, you can use an image editor to crop it for your own records. The authority does not publish photo dimensions for the CNIB[1].
The CNIB application is made in person at a data collection center[1].
Understanding Submission and Document Validity
CNIB applicants must apply in person at a data collection center[1]. The CIB-AES was instituted in 2025, and existing CNIB cards remain valid for five years from the CIB-AES launch[2].
CNIB applicants do not supply a printed photo; facial data is captured during in-person enrollment[1]. Understanding these procedures helps you plan your visit effectively[1].
Avoiding Surprises at the Enrollment Center
CNIB applicants must visit a collection center with the required documents[1]. The cited source does not say this prevents delays or that no other items are needed.
Follow any instructions given by staff at the data collection center.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring a printed photo for my CNIB?
No, applicants do not supply a printed photo because the biometric facial image is captured during enrollment at a collection center[1].
What is the official photo size for the identity card?
The cited CNIB page does not specify photo dimensions[1]. The 35×45 mm size is a practical crop default, not an official requirement.
Are glasses allowed in the identity photo?
Rules for glasses are unspecified by the official sources, as the photo is captured during enrollment[1].
Can I use the tool on this page for my application?
You can use the tool above to crop and prepare a photo for personal uses or to rehearse, but the authority takes the official photo during enrollment[1].
What is the difference between CNIB and CIB-AES?
Burkina Faso introduced the CIB-AES biometric identity card, and existing CNIB cards remain valid during the transition period[2].