A lot of official papers, such some ID cards, visas, and other sorts of identification, need a 2x2 centimeter photo. It's important to make sure your photo satisfies the official requirements so that you don't have to wait or get rejected. We make it easier to take a 2x2 centimeter photo that meets the rules at PhotoGov. Just submit a selfie or a high-quality picture, and we'll resize, crop, and optimize it to the right size so you can send it in digitally or physically.
Your photo is automatically resized to the right size of 2x2 cm
This feature gets rid of shadows and makes sure the background is clear and white or light-colored
Makes the picture clearer by changing the brightness, sharpness, and contrast
Get both a digital and a print-ready version of your photo to send in
Meets all the official standards for 2x2 cm pictures for a variety of documents
To make sure your 2x2 cm photo is accepted, it needs to follow certain rules for how it looks and how it works
Size | 2 x 2 cm (20 x 20 mm) |
Minimum DPI | 300 |
Image Format | JPEG or PNG |
File Size | Usually less than 1 MB |
Background | Plain white or light-colored (no patterns or shadows) |
Can be printed | Yes |
*Data from government agencies
Requirement for Aspect
Neutral: mouth closed, no smile or frown
Open and easy to see
Centered and facing forward, with no tilting
Should take up 70 to 80 percent of the height of the picture
Solid colors preferred
Not allowed unless it's for medical reasons
Allowed solely for medical or religious reasons and must not cover up facial features
The face and background should be evenly lit, with no shadows or reflections
Choose a Type of Document
From the selection of document formats on PhotoGov.net, pick "2x2 cm Photo"
Take a picture of yourself
Use a smartphone or digital camera that works well. Stand 1.5 to 2 meters away from a white or light-colored background. Make sure the lighting is even and right
Send the Picture
Send your picture to PhotoGov. Make sure your face is plainly seen and has a neutral look
Automatically resize and optimize
Our system will automatically resize the picture to 2x2 cm, clean up the background, and change the lighting and contrast
Get it and send it in
You can either download your finished photo file and get it ready to send in, or you can print it out to use in person
If you don’t want to go through the trouble and expense of locating and hiring a professional photographer to take your picture, you can simply take your own from home. So long as you follow the below instructions carefully, you can capture the perfect photo photo yourself:
Open up the PhotoGov.net photo service and take your picture. Make sure you’re not wearing any headcovers or glasses, do not wear a uniform, and keep your expression neutral. Ensure that the area is well-lit and that you are standing against a neutral background.
Watch "How to take a photo" (00:46)
Next, upload your image and process it through our site.
Finally, you can download your ID photo. These images can be printed off, or you can simply use them as digital photos.
Lighting: To keep harsh shadows off your face or background, use natural light or gentle artificial light
Background: Stand in front of a wall that is simple white or light-colored. Don't let any patterns or things get in the way
Positioning: Your head should be in the middle and pointing straight ahead. Your face should take up roughly 70 to 80 percent of the height of the picture
Wear dark, solid-colored clothes to stand out against the background. Don't wear tops that are white or shiny
Using the wrong size (such passport size instead of 2x2 cm)
Putting on glasses or hats that hide your face
Using photographs that are fuzzy, low-resolution, or too bright
Background with shadows, textures, or things
Smiling or moving your head
PhotoGov automatically finds and fixes these problems while processing photos
When taking pictures of babies and children for photo, many of the same rules apply; for example, they must still adhere to the dress code, and the photograph must be high-quality and well-lit. With that being said, the State Department is generally more forgiving when it comes to the neutral expression requirement.
For slightly older babies:
No retouching: Don't use digital filters or programs that change the way your face looks
Sharpness: Make sure the picture is clean and in focus, with no pixelation or blurriness
Face Coverage: Your face should take up 70–80% of the height of the picture
File Size and Type: JPEG or PNG, and less than 1 MB for digital submission
For Physical Submission: Make sure the size is exactly 2x2 cm and print your picture on high-quality matte or glossy photo paper
To submit digitally, upload your photo to the right gateway and make sure it satisfies the size and resolution requirements
How big should my 2x2 centimeter picture be?
Is it okay to take the picture with my phone?
Is it okay to wear spectacles in the picture?
How old does the picture have to be?
What will happen if my photo is turned down?
Is it okay to use my 2x2 cm picture for other things?
Other documents for the Others
Others
56 doc.