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India PCC / Birth Certificate Photo Maker

Written by Olia Potiagaeva, Managing Editor Reviewed by the PhotoGov Editorial Team ★ 4.8 / 5.0 GoogleChecked against Consulate General of India, San Francisco requirements

The photo applied with the application process at the time of getting the India PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) or Birth Certificate needs to follow all criteria. The official document size for Photos required is: official standard 35x35 mm (3.5x3.5 cm) Get The Correct Photo Of Your India PCC / Birth Certificate At PhotoGov. Upload a selfie or top-tier image and we will automatically resize this to the official specifications, crop it, optimalise it for both digital submission and hands-on. The requirements for an Indian PAN card photo are different: two prints in the 3.5 x 4.5 cm format, one of them signed.

Auto-crop the photo to fit the India birth certificate size (two free ID photos per day, depending on your location)

Full document requirements for photos

How to get a photo - tutorial

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Get photo for: India PCC / Birth Certificate 35x35 mm (3.5x3.5 cm)

Step 2/4

Instructions:

How to take a good photo?

1/7 Image format

Photo must be in color. Taken within the last 6 months.

How to take a good photo?

1/7 Image format

Photo must be in color. Taken within the last 6 months.

ID & Passport Photo Tool. Your personal data is processed in accordance with security and privacy standards.

The India PCC / Birth Certificate Photo editor crops your image to the selected format and positions the head within the frame. It sizes the picture you upload without changing your facial features, and the built-in photo checker tests the file against the selected format. The selected format is 35 x 35 mm. Before you submit the photo, check the photo instructions for the application you are completing.

Why choose us?

Image processing

Brightens, adjusts contrast and sharpness for professional results

Large selection of documents

As well as offering photographs for passports, we can also take care of ID, visa, citizenship, license, and work permit photos.

No expensive equipment

With our online passport photo service, you don't need any expensive photography equipment to get high-quality passport photos. All you need is a smartphone or digital camera and an internet connection, and you can upload your photo to our platform and have it processed in seconds.

No need to go to a photo studio

Our online service eliminates the need to visit a photo studio or photo booth to get your passport photos taken. This can save you time and money on travel, and means you can get your photos taken from the comfort of your own home or office.

India PCC / Birth Certificate Photo Requirements

To ensure your India PCC / Birth Certificate photo is accepted, it must comply with both technical and appearance guidelines. Here's a breakdown of what’s required:

For a passport, the new Indian passport photo requirements call for a 35 x 45 mm portrait on a plain white background.

35mm

67%

58%

Size	35 x 35 mm (3.5 x 3.5 cm)
Resolution	Minimum 300 DPI
Image Format	JPEG or PNG
File Size	Typically under 1 MB
Background Color	Plain white or light-colored (no patterns or shadows)
Printable	Yes – required for physical submission at consulates
Image definition parameters	Correct for requiments

Appearance Guidelines

Facial Expression

Neutral – mouth closed, no smiling or frowning

Eyes

Fully open, clearly visible

Head Position

Centered in the frame, facing forward

Face Coverage

Should occupy 70–80% of the height of the photo

Clothing

Dark, solid colors preferred; avoid white tops

Glasses

Not allowed unless medically necessary

Head Coverings

Allowed for religious or medical reasons, face must be fully visible

Lighting

Even lighting, no shadows or reflections on the face or background

How to Create Your India PCC / Birth Certificate Photo – Step-by-Step

Select Document Type
Choose “India PCC / Birth Certificate Photo – 35x35 mm” from the list of document types on PhotoGov.net
Take Your Photo
Use a high-quality smartphone or digital camera. Stand 1.5–2 meters from a white or light-colored background. Ensure soft, even lighting
Upload Your Photo
Submit your image to PhotoGov. Make sure your face is clearly visible with a neutral expression
Auto-Resize & Optimize
PhotoGov will crop your image to the exact 35x35 mm size (3.5x3.5 cm), clean up the background, and adjust brightness and sharpness
Download & Submit
Download the final photo file, ready for online submission or print it for in-person use

How to take your own India PCC / Birth Certificate photo

Photo dimensions at Indian missions depend on the specific consular service. For a birth certificate or Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) application, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco requires a square 35 × 35 mm ID photo (whereas Indian visa and OCI applications require a 51 × 51 mm / 2 × 2 inch photo) — always verify your consulate's checklist before printing.

1. Capture your full head, both ears, and upper shoulders

Stand in front of a plain white background in even lighting and keep your head centered so your entire face and hair are visible from the crown to the bottom of the chin. Your eyes must be open and unobstructed by hair, with both ears, your neck, and the top of your shoulders clearly visible in the frame.

Watch "How to take a photo" (00:46)

2. Upload your photo to crop it to a 35 × 35 mm square

Upload your digital photo to PhotoGov, and our tool will automatically crop and scale it to the 35 × 35 mm square format required by the consulate, positioning your head so it occupies 60–70% of the frame.

3. Print borderless copies on thin photo paper

Print your birth certificate or PCC photo borderless on thin, professional-grade photographic paper, maintaining natural tones. Do not retouch, soften, or digitally alter your facial features, as edited portraits are rejected by the consulate.

Basic Common Mistakes to Rephrase

Wrong size (e.g., passport-size instead of 35 x 35 MM)

Type Face, Proprietary Sidegear — ( Shadowed glasses or intimate covering of face)

Low Image quality , Blurry or high ISO

Any background with shadows, orties on background or objects

Smiling or Head tilted

During photo processing, PhotoGov will automatically scan and fix these problems

Example photos:

Below are examples of correct and incorrect photos

More Compliance Bits

Do not remove Retouching: Refrain from digital filters or pixel editing apps

Sharpness — Your image must be sharp and not pixelated and blurred

Face Ratio — you should be about 70–80% tall in the photo

File Format & Size JPEG or PNG; up to 1MB for digital submission

Submission & Printing guidelines

Physical sample: Run a colour code 35×35mm (3.5×3.5 cm.) on photo paper with high quality matte or glossy

Image Context: Upload Image to India PCC or Birth Certificate Application Portal. It should be according to the size and resolution

How to take India PCC / Birth Certificate photos for babies and kids

For children's birth certificate applications, the San Francisco consulate relaxes several framing rules. For children under 10, minor variations in head height and eye line are accepted, and for infants, the rules on head angle, facial expression, and direct eye contact are also more flexible — though the photo must still be sharp, front-facing, and taken against a plain white background.

Infants under 1 year old do not need to have their eyes open.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is required for the India PCC or Birth Certificate photo?

The required photo size is 35x35 mm (3.5x3.5 cm).

Can I take the photo with my smartphone?

Yes! As long as the photo meets the required specifications, you can use your smartphone. Upload it to PhotoGov for automatic corrections.

Can I wear glasses in the photo?

No. Glasses are not allowed unless medically required. Ensure no glare is visible if wearing glasses.

How recent must the photo be?

Your photo should be taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance.

What happens if my photo is rejected?

You can modify and reprocess your photo for free through PhotoGov until it is accepted.

Can I use my India PCC photo for other documents?

Yes, as long as the requirements for those documents are similar.

Can I Use the India PCC / Birth Certificate Photo Editor on an iPhone or Android Phone?

Yes. Open photogov.net in the phone browser, upload a picture and download the finished file. No app is required; the PhotoGov app for iOS and Android does the same job if you prefer it.

Do I Need to Create a Size Template for the India PCC / Birth Certificate Photo?

No. PhotoGov applies the selected format automatically: the tool sets the frame and the head position for you. Before you submit the photo, check the photo instructions for the application you are completing.

Official Government Sources

Checked against the Consulate General of India, San Francisco photo requirements: https://www.cgisf.gov.in/content/1553603082PHOTO%20SPECIFICATION.pdf · Last checked: 08.10.2026