Preparing Your São Tomé and Príncipe ID Card Photo
Get your photo ready for your identity application with clear measurements and simple steps. The tool above helps you crop your picture correctly.
Understanding the Size Rules
The cited passport law refers to the Bilhete de Identidade, but it does not give photo requirements for the identity card[1]. No official size was located; 35×45 mm is a common practice crop size. Check with the issuing office whether it needs a photo and what format to use.
A 35×45 mm (about 1.38×1.77 inch) crop is a common practice size for an identity-card portrait, not a size stated in the cited law[1]. Check with the issuing office before printing a photo.
Background and Lighting Guidelines
The cited passport law does not give photo background wording or a size specification for the ID card[1]. A 35×45 mm crop is a common practice size for an identity-card portrait.
To get a clear picture at home, stand in front of a plain, neutral wall. Face a bright window to get even lighting across your facial features. Avoid harsh shadows behind your head, under your nose, or beneath your chin. Good lighting makes your facial features easy to see, which is important for any official identification document.
Head Height, Glasses, and Expression
Specific measurements for your head height are not set by the authority[1]. Even though exact millimeter rules for the distance from your chin to the top of your head are missing, you should keep your head centered in the frame. Look straight ahead toward the camera lens with a natural posture.
The cited law does not specify rules for glasses or headwear in an ID photo[1]. If you prepare a photo, avoid glare that obscures your eyes, and check any photo instructions with the issuing office.
Taking Your Photo at Home
You can take your ID photo yourself at home using a digital camera or a modern smartphone. Instead of holding the phone out for a selfie, which can distort your face, ask a trusted friend or family member to take the picture for you. Keep the camera lens at your exact eye level to avoid looking up or down at the frame.
Stand about one to one and a half meters away from the camera to capture a natural portrait proportion. Make sure the entire frame has sharp focus and good brightness. After you capture a good picture, you can use the tool above to crop your photo to the 35 by 45 millimeter size quickly and easily.
Printing Your Photo Sheet
The cited law does not state whether applicants must bring a photo or how it should be submitted[1]. Check with the issuing office before printing one.
This lets you fit your ID photo onto a normal photo sheet file. Print this sheet at any local retail photo kiosk as an ordinary 4 by 6 inch print. Once the print is ready, use a pair of clean scissors or a paper trimmer to cut out your ID photo carefully along the border lines.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
If the issuing office asks for a photo, make sure it is clear and that your face is visible. The cited law does not list reasons an ID photo may be refused[1].
If the office asks for a photo, check its instructions for headwear, framing, and print quality. The cited law does not state photo acceptance criteria[1].
Frequently asked questions
What is the official photo size for the São Tomé and Príncipe ID card?
The cited passport law does not specify an ID-card photo size[1]. A 35×45 mm (1.38×1.77 inch) crop is a common practice size, but confirm requirements with the issuing office.
Are head height measurements specified by the authority?
Head height is not set by the authority[1].
Are glasses permitted in the identity photo?
Rules regarding glasses are unspecified by the official sources[1].
How do I submit the finished photo?
The cited law does not state how an ID-card photo is submitted[1]. Check with the issuing office before printing one.
Are there separate photo rules for infants or children?
No separate infant photo rules are located in the official sources[1].