Photos for Your Côte d’Ivoire Seafarer’s Book
You need four identical printed photos when you apply for your Livret Professionnel Maritime[1]. Use the tool above to crop your picture to the right size before you print it out.
Understanding the Size Rules
The Direction des Transports Maritimes, Fluvio-Lagunaires et de la Plaisance handles the application[1]. Its procedure page requires identity photos but does not specify their dimensions[1]. A 35×45 mm crop (1.38×1.77 inches) is a common practice size, not an official requirement.
This dimension is used purely for cropping convenience rather than a strict legal mandate from the office[1]. Because rules can shift or depend on the exact clerk handling your paperwork, you should always confirm the required dimensions with the issuing office before you submit your file[1].
Background and Print Quantity
Your application file requires four identical color identity photos of the same print[1]. You cannot submit different poses or slightly varied shots; all four must match completely[1]. The background behind you must be white[1].
To achieve this at home, find a clean white wall without any textures, wallpaper patterns, or shadows. Stand a short distance away from the wall so your body does not cast a dark shadow directly behind your head. Good lighting helps the white background appear bright and uniform in your final picture.
Head Height Guidelines
Official guidance from the issuing authority does not set a specific head height measurement for these seafarer photos[1]. Without a mandatory millimeter rule for the top of your head or exact eye line placement, you should aim for a balanced, centered composition.
Keep your head positioned straight in the middle of the frame, looking directly into the camera lens without tilting your chin up or down. Leave a modest amount of space above the top of your hair and around your shoulders. This balanced framing ensures your face remains the clear focus of the picture without looking too distant or excessively zoomed in.
Glasses, Headwear and Facial Expression
The official source lists no specific rules regarding glasses for this document[1]. Similarly, headwear permissions are left unspecified by the governing authority[1]. Facial expression requirements and mouth position rules are also not set in the official guidelines[1].
Even though these specific details are not restricted by the rulebook, keeping a neutral, natural look with your mouth closed and eyes open is always a safe practice for official identification cards and maritime books. If you wear everyday prescription glasses, you can choose to keep them on or take them off, provided your eyes remain fully visible without heavy glare on the lenses.
Taking Your Photo at Home
You can easily take a suitable photo right in your own home using a digital camera or smartphone. First, stand facing a large window that lets in soft, natural daylight, which prevents harsh shadows on your face and gives you an even skin tone.
Avoid standing directly under harsh overhead lights because they create dark circles under your eyes and chin. Ask a friend or family member to take the picture for you instead of trying to take a selfie, which often distorts facial proportions. The person holding the camera should stand about one to one and a half meters away from you, keeping the lens right at your eye level.
Preparing Your Sheet for Printing
The submission method for this maritime book requires physical, printed photographs rather than digital uploads[1]. Once you capture a clear digital shot against your white background, you can use the tool above to crop your image down to the 35×45 mm size.
This browser tool helps you place four exact copies of your cropped photo onto a single standard 4×6-inch sheet layout. Save this composite image file to your device and take it to any local print kiosk that handles ordinary 4×6-inch glossy photo printing. After printing your sheet, use clean scissors or a paper cutter to separate the four identical pictures neatly, making sure not to bend or smudge the glossy surface.
Frequently asked questions
What size do I need for my Côte d’Ivoire seafarer’s book photo?
How many photos must I submit for the application?
You need four identical color identity photos of the same print to include in your application file[1].
What background color is required for the pictures?
The background must be white[1]. Make sure there are no shadows or patterns behind you.
Does the authority specify head height rules?
No, head height is not set by the authority for this document[1]. Keep your head centered with a normal margin around your face.
How should I print my photos for submission?
The submission requires printed photos[1]. You can use the tool on this page to arrange four copies on a 4×6-inch sheet and print it at a local photo kiosk.