Colombian Child Identity Card Photo Requirements
Find out the exact photo rules you need for a Colombian tarjeta de identidad application. Use the tool above to prepare your prints.
Official Size and Submission Rules
The Registraduría issues the tarjeta de identidad to children from age 7 until they turn 18[1][2]. If an office requires you to provide a photo, its published size is 4 × 5 cm (40 × 50 mm)[1]. Check with your office to see whether it requires a printed photo; some use digital enrollment and do not accept applicant-provided photos[1]. The tool above can format an image to this size on a 4 × 6-inch print sheet.
Many offices capture the applicant photo digitally during your scheduled appointment[1][2]. Whether your child actually needs to bring a printed photo depends entirely on the specific office's digital enrolment equipment and local procedures[1][2]. Always check with your local office before you go to confirm their exact current requirements.
Head Height and Framing Measurements
The official guidelines require a head height of 35 to 40 mm measured strictly from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head[1][2]. This specification also corresponds to a face height of 70 to 80 percent of the longer photo dimension[1][2]. Getting this proportion right helps your application photo meet basic alignment standards.
Keep the camera at eye level about one to one and a half meters away from your child to avoid perspective distortion. Ask your child to look straight into the camera lens with a relaxed posture and shoulders squared forward.
Background and Lighting Guidelines
The authority's guidance states that the background should be uniform, but it does not specify a particular color[1][2]. Choose a plain, solid-colored wall in your home to stand against for the picture. Avoid any patterns, wallpaper textures, or dark shadows appearing behind the child.
Good lighting helps make the background clear and separates your child cleanly from the wall. Face a bright window or use soft, even room lighting so your child's face has no harsh shadows on either side. Make sure the light falls evenly across the entire face.
Glasses, Headwear, and Facial Expression
The guidance says to avoid dark lenses and preferably to take the photo without glasses; it refers religious, cultural, medical, and other exceptions to a separate memorandum[1]. Check with the office if your child needs an exception.
The guidance says to avoid hair accessories and hairstyles that affect facial visibility; it refers religious, cultural, medical, and other exceptions to a separate memorandum[1]. It also requires a closed mouth[1].
Step-by-Step Instructions for Taking the Photo
Stand your child against a plain, uniform background that matches the authority guidelines[1][2]. Place your camera or smartphone on a stable surface or tripod to prevent blurry images. Alternatively, ask another person to take the picture while keeping the camera at eye level.
Check that the framing leaves enough space around the head to meet the 35 to 40 mm chin-to-top measurement[1][2]. Take a few test shots so you can review the lighting, background uniformity, and child's expression before you finish the session.
Preparing and Printing Your Photo Sheet
Once you capture a clear picture, you can use the tool above to crop it to the required 40 × 50 mm dimensions. The tool automatically arranges your cropped photo onto a standard 4×6-inch sheet template for easy printing.
Take this generated file to a local photo printing kiosk or print it at home using standard 4×6 photo paper. Cut the printed photos carefully along the marked edges using clean scissors before you attend your appointment.