French national identity card photo (35×45 mm)

Official Size and Head Requirements

When you apply for a French national identity card in Martinique, your application requires a specific photograph that meets strict official standards. The official size for this identity card photo is 35 by 45 millimeters, which translates to 1.38 by 1.77 inches^[1]. This exact dimension is mandatory for your paperwork, and submitting the wrong size can cause delays in your application process.

In addition to the overall card size, you must pay close attention to the size of your head within the frame. The vertical distance from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head must measure between 32 and 36 millimeters^[2]. Measuring this space accurately helps make sure that your facial features sit in the correct proportion for official document scanning. If your head is too large or too small within the 35 by 45 millimeter frame, the authorities will refuse your picture. You should check these measurements carefully before you finish your application packet.

Background and Lighting Rules

The background behind you is another critical element that the issuing authority checks during your appointment. For French secure-document photos, you must use the passport photo specification: plain light blue or light gray; white is forbidden^[2]. Choosing any other background color or a patterned wall will result in an automatic rejection of your photo.

When you set up your photo space at home, look for a solid wall that matches these exact color rules. Lighting also plays a major part in getting your photo right. Face a bright window to let natural light illuminate your face evenly from the front. Avoid harsh overhead lighting that casts dark shadows under your eyes or nose. Keep your body slightly away from the background wall so your shadow does not fall onto the light blue or light gray surface behind you.

Facial Expression, Glasses, and Headwear

Your facial expression and appearance must follow strict rules set by the government. When the camera captures your image, you must maintain a neutral expression with your mouth closed^[2]. Do not smile, smirk, frown, or open your lips in any way. Keep your eyes wide open and looking directly into the camera lens.

Head coverings are not permitted for these identity card photos^[2].

Glasses are allowed under conditional rules^[2]. If you choose to wear your prescription glasses in the photo, the frames must not cover your eyes, and the lenses must be completely free of any glare, flash reflection, or tinted shade.

Rules for Children and Minors

Minors need a photo for their application^[1]. The same French identity-photo rules apply to their photos^[2].

For a child’s photo, follow the same photo rules as for an adult^[2].

Taking Your Photo at Home Step by Step

You can take your photo at home before heading out to your scheduled appointment. Ask a friend, family member, or partner to use a digital camera or a smartphone for the picture rather than trying to take a self-portrait.

Set the camera or phone at your exact eye level, placing it about one to one and a half meters away from your face. Stand up straight or sit on a chair with a straight back, keeping your shoulders level and square to the camera. Look straight ahead without tilting your head up, down, or to either side.

You can use the tool above to crop your photo to the exact 35 by 45 millimeter size and format it onto a standard sheet for printing.

Printing and Submitting Your Application

Once you have your photo prepared and cropped to the correct dimensions, you need to know how to submit it. The French national identity card application requires a printed photo submission^[1]. Your card application is recorded at an equipped mairie, and you must provide the physical photo yourself^[1].

You can arrange your cropped photo onto a standard four by six inch print sheet to make printing easy and affordable. Take this digital file to a local photo kiosk, print shop, or use a home photo printer with standard photo paper. Cut the printed photo carefully along the crop marks using scissors or a paper cutter. Bring the finished physical print with you to your appointment at the mairie along with your other required paperwork.