A 45x45 mm (4.5x4.5 cm) photo is often needed when you apply for a visa, ID card, or other official documents. To avoid any delays or rejections, it's very important that your photo matches these exact requirements. We make it easy and stress-free to take a 45x45 mm photo that meets all the requirements at PhotoGov. Just send us a selfie or picture, and we'll resize, trim, and optimize it to the right size for digital or printed submission.
Your photo is automatically resized and cropped to the right size of 45x45 mm
This fixes any shadows, textures, or patterns so that the background is always white or light-colored
Changes the brightness, contrast, and sharpness of the image to make it look clear and professional
Get your photo ready to send in either format, online or in print
Meets all official standards for 45x45 mm pictures for a variety of documents
Your 45x45 mm photo must meet certain technical and visual standards in order to be accepted.
Parameter Size | 45 x 45 mm (4.5 × 4.5 cm) |
File Size | Minimum 300 DPI |
Image Format | JPEG or PNG |
File Size | Usually less than 1 MB |
Background Color | White or light-colored (no patterns or shadows) |
Able to be printed | Yes |
Submission in digital form | Consulate systems and official online application portals accept this |
*Data from government agencies
Requirement for Aspect
Neutral: lips closed, no frowning or smiling
Wide open, plainly visible, and staring straight at the camera
Centered, looking straight ahead, no tilting
Should take up 70–80% of the height of the picture
Don't wear white tops; dark, solid hues are better
Not allowed unless it's for medical reasons
Face must be fully visible, however religious or medical reasons are fine
The lighting should be even, with no shadows or reflections on the face or background
Choose the Type of Document From the selection of document types on PhotoGov.net, choose "45x45 mm Photo"
Take a Picture Use a camera with a high resolution or a smartphone. Stand 1.5 to 2 meters away from a plain white or light-colored wall. Make sure the lighting is right
Put the photo up Send in your picture for processing. Make sure your face is well-lit and your attitude is calm
Resize and optimize automatically Our technology will cut the photo down to 45x45 mm, clean up the background, and change the quality of the image
Get it and send it in Download your finished photo file so you may submit it digitally or print it off to use in person
Lighting: Use soft, even light so that there aren't any shadows on the face. The best light is natural
Background: Stand with your back to a wall that is white or light-colored. Don't have any patterns or textures in the backdrop
Positioning: Make sure your face is in the middle and facing forward. Your face should take up 70–80% of the height of the picture
Wear dark, solid-colored clothes. Stay away from shirts that are white or too shiny
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.
Using a passport-size photo instead of the minimum 45x45 millimeter size
Wearing glasses or other things that block your face
Pictures that are grainy, low-resolution, or too bright
Background with patterns, shadows, or things
Smiling or tilting your head
PhotoGov automatically finds and fixes these problems as it is processing
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 applications or filters that change the way your face looks
Sharpness: Make sure your picture is clear and not pixelated or blurry
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 photo is exactly 45x45 mm and print it on high-quality matte or glossy photo paper
To submit digitally, upload your photo to the right portal. Make sure the file size and resolution are correct
How big should my 45x45 millimeter picture be?
Is it okay to take my picture with my phone?
Is it okay to wear spectacles in the picture?
How new does the picture need to be?
What will happen if my photo is turned down?
Is it okay to use my 45x45 millimeter picture for other papers?
Other documents for the Others
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