Philippine passport photo (35×45 mm)

Official Rules and How the Authority Takes Your Photo

The Department of Foreign Affairs captures your official photo during your personal appearance^[1].

The official checklist from the department states that applicants do not need to submit a passport-size photo^[1].

Applicants do not need to submit a passport-size photo^[1]. A 35×45 mm (1.38×1.77-inch) crop is a practical size for general use, not an official passport-photo requirement.

Using the Tool to Prepare

Even though the official photo is taken at your appointment, you might want to crop a picture for other personal reasons.

The tool on this page lets you crop passport, visa, and ID photos right in your browser. Your photo never leaves your device, which keeps your personal images private.

You can make a sheet that you can print as an ordinary 4x6-inch photo at a kiosk. This helps you get ready or make copies for other documents.

Setting Up Your Camera and Lighting

When you take a practice photo at home, good lighting makes a big difference. Stand facing a bright window to get soft and even light on your face.

Avoid standing under strong overhead lights that cast dark shadows. Try to avoid harsh shadows under your nose or chin.

Ask a friend or family member to take the picture instead of holding the camera yourself to avoid awkward angles. Keep the camera at your eye level and about one to one and a half meters away from your face to keep your features looking natural.

Framing and Head Size

Since the authority publishes no single official size^[1], exact head measurements are not set by the department^[1].

However, a common setup places your head near the center of the frame. Leave a little space above your head and around your shoulders.

This makes the photo look balanced and clear. You can use the tool above to frame your practice image to the 35x45 mm size.

Clothing, Expression, and Appearance

When taking your practice photo, wear plain everyday clothes without bright patterns or logos.

For a practice photo, look straight at the camera and keep your face clearly visible.

If you wear glasses or head coverings daily, check if they match what you plan to wear for your official appointment so your practice photo looks realistic.

Printing and File Preparation

You can arrange your cropped 35x45 mm photo onto a standard 4x6-inch sheet easily.

This lets you print the sheet at any local photo kiosk like an ordinary picture. Check that the print keeps the correct proportions without any stretching or distortion.

Remember that this printed sheet is for your own personal use or other applications, since the official photo is taken in person^[1].

Checking Your Practice Photos

Checking your practice photos helps you spot any problems before you use them for other documents. Look closely at the lighting, framing, and background.

Make sure your face is clearly visible and well-lit. While these practice photos will not replace your official passport picture taken at the appointment^[1], they give you a great way to prepare and test different sizes.