Caribbean Netherlands

Caribbean Netherlands identity card (35×45 mm)

Required size: 35×45 mm (1.38×1.77 in). Your photo is processed on your device.

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Photo requirements

  • Size: 35×45 mm (1.38×1.77 in)
  • Head size: 26–30 mm from chin to top of head
  • Background: White, Light grey, Light blue
  • Privacy: Processed on your device; the photo is not uploaded

Background

Put an accepted colour behind you. This happens on your device.

Download or print

Download a single photo, or a sheet with several copies to print at a photo kiosk.

💡 Printing tip

Save the sheet to your phone or a USB drive and order it at a photo kiosk as a standard 4×6-inch print.

Choose an ordinary photo print, not the passport photo service.

Official specification

Official nameIdentiteitskaart BES (sédula)
How you hand it inDigital upload
Photo size35×45 mm (1.38×1.77 in)
Head height (chin to top of head)26–30 mm
BackgroundWhite, Light grey, Light blue
GlassesTake them off, unless you can’t for medical reasons
Head coveringOnly for religious or medical reasons, with the face fully visible
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed, eyes open

Caribbean Netherlands Identity Card Photo Requirements

Get the exact details for your Caribbean Netherlands identity card photo before you apply at Burgerzaken, and learn how to follow official rules correctly.

Official Size and Document Process

The Caribbean Netherlands identity card, known locally as the sédula, is an important document for residents of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. You must request this card in person at Burgerzaken in the relevant public body.

Bonaire’s official page says the sédula is requested in person and made while the applicant waits[1]. The photo criteria follow the passport photo acceptance criteria[2]; these specify a 35 by 45 mm photo[3].

For people age 11 and older, head height must be 26 to 30 mm from chin to crown[3]. The office takes the photo as part of the in-person process[1].

Background and Lighting Rules

The background of your photo must follow precise standards set by the government[2]. According to the BES ID card regulation, the photo must meet standard passport photo acceptance criteria[2][3].

This means the background must be plain, even light grey, light blue, or white[2][3]. You should stand well away from the wall to prevent casting unwanted shadows.

Avoid any patterns, textures, or household objects in the background view. Good, even lighting is equally important to show your true skin tone without dark patches on your face or behind you.

Facial Expression and Posture

The photo criteria call for a neutral expression and a closed mouth[3].

Look straight ahead into the camera lens with your eyes wide open and fully visible. Eyeglasses must not hide your eyes, and hair should not fall across your face or obscure your features.

Your head must be straight and level, meaning you should not tilt it up, down, or to either side. Keep your shoulders square to the camera so your posture matches official requirements.

Glasses and Head Coverings

Glasses are allowed if your eyes remain fully visible and reflections do not distort them[3].

The photo criteria require transparent glasses and fully visible eyes[3]. Head coverings may be allowed for religious or belief-related reasons; the regulation also allows exceptions for documented physical or medical reasons[2][3].

If you wear a head covering for these purposes, your face must remain fully visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, with both sides of your face clearly shown.

Rules for Infants and Young Children

Photographing infants and young children requires patience, but official guidelines offer some flexibility. The photo regulation follows standard passport photo criteria, which relax some pose and expression rules for children under the age of six[3].

Children under 6 are exempt from the neutral-expression, closed-mouth, and looking-straight-at-the-camera requirements[3].

If the child needs support, the support must not be visible in the photo[3].

How to Take a Practice Photo at Home

Taking a practice photo at home is a great way to check your appearance before heading out. Stand about one to one and a half meters away from the camera to avoid distortion.

It is best to ask someone else to take the picture instead of trying to use selfie mode, which can warp facial proportions. Keep the camera lens at your exact eye level.

Check that your face fills the correct portion of the frame based on the mandated head height limits. Good natural light from a window works best for lighting.

Preparing Digital Files and Using the Tool

The sédula is requested in person at Burgerzaken[1]. The official page does not say that applicants need to prepare a digital copy or that the photo is taken on site.

You can use the tool above to crop and check your practice images to see how they measure up against official dimensions.

Review your practice shots carefully against every rule, from head height to background colour, so you are fully prepared for your visit to the public office.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to bring my own photo for the BES identity card?

No. The sédula is requested in person at Burgerzaken, and the authority makes the photo while you wait[1].

What is the exact size of the ID photo?

The photo is 35 by 45 mm[3]. For people age 11 and older, head height is 26 to 30 mm from chin to crown; for children under 11, it is 19 to 30 mm[3].

Can I wear glasses in the photo?

Glasses are allowed under strict conditions, meaning frames cannot block your eyes and lenses cannot have glare[2][3].

What background colours are allowed?

The background must be plain, even light grey, light blue, or white[2][3].

Are there different rules for babies?

Yes, children under six have relaxed rules regarding facial expression, mouth closure, and eye gaze[3].