French Passport
France
35×45 mm, face 32–36 mm (70–80% of height), plain light background per ANTS and service-public.fr.
Last reviewed:
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Example photo guidance
French Passport — key specifications
At-a-glance summary of the official France photo template. Every value below is enforced automatically when you upload your image.
| Physical size | 35 mm × 45 mm (1.38 in × 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 413 × 531 px (300 DPI) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Max file size | 5120 KB (JPEG) |
| Head coverage | 70–80% |
| Print sheet | 4x6 · 8 |
Requirements
Check dimensions and official rules on this page.
- Physical: 35mm × 45mm
- Digital: 413–413px × 531–531px
- Max file size: 5120 KB
Less than 6 months old, sharp, no creases, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and visible.
Ministère de l'Intérieur — photo d'identité norms
France's Ministry of the Interior publishes photo d'identité norms covering passports, ID cards, and travel documents. The standard is 35 × 45 mm with the head measuring 32–36 mm chin-to-crown against a uniform light grey background per the ICAO + EU 2252/2004 overlay.
Why use this French Passport tool
- $3.99Final photo + 4×6 print sheet. No subscription. Studios typically charge $15 – $30 for the same output.
- Free previewYou only pay once a watermarked preview confirms the crop, background, and biometric framing meet the spec.
- Refund if non-compliantIf our output fails the issuing-authority checklist, we refund — see our refund policy.
Common reasons French Passport photos are rejected
Issuing authorities reject submissions that miss any of the items below. Our tool automatically corrects crop, background, and dimensions, but you still control the original capture — review this list before you upload.
- wrong_dimensions
- face_height_out_of_range
- background_white_not_allowed_for_titres
- shadows_or_poor_exposure
- expression_not_neutral
- head_covering_or_hair_obscuring_face
- thick_glasses_or_glare
French passport photo rejection patterns from préfecture data
French passport applications go through préfectures, sous-préfectures, and partner mairies (town halls equipped with biometric capture stations). Each French passport agent runs an on-site review before transmitting the photo to ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés).
The most-failed criterion is background colour — France requires a uniform light grey background (preferred) or off-white. Pure white is technically accepted but ANTS occasionally rejects pure-white captures at the central review stage.
- Background colour pure white or off-white instead of light grey — ANTS sometimes flags pure white
- Visible shadow on the face or wall
- Head height outside 32 – 36 mm chin-to-crown
- Eye-line not in the upper third of the frame
- Smile or open mouth
- Glasses worn (banned in 2018)
- Photo taken more than 6 months ago
- Visible jewellery or accessories that alter face profile
- Hair covering eyebrows or eyes
Where to apply for a French passport — préfectures and mairies
Three options:
- Mairie (town hall) — most common. ~2,000 French communes have biometric capture stations. Find your nearest via service-public.fr
- Préfecture or sous-préfecture — full-service for complex cases (lost passport, dual nationality, urgent travel)
- French embassy or consulate abroad — for French citizens outside France. Same 35 × 45 mm specification applies
- All require a pre-booked appointment via service-public.fr. Walk-in is rarely accepted for biometric capture. Bring 1 printed 35 × 45 mm photo plus the digital file on USB
- Adult passport fee: €86 (10-year validity); €17 for children under 15
Recent French passport changes (2024 – 2026)
Material updates French applicants should know:
- January 2024 — ANTS launched a digital pre-screening tool (service-public.fr) where applicants can upload their photo and receive an automated compliance check before booking the appointment
- September 2024 — France joined other EU states in enforcing the post-VIS biometric capture requirement for all Schengen visa applicants 12+
- March 2025 — French passport fee remained at €86 (no increase); express service (24-hour) costs an additional €30
- Mid-2026 — France has no specific AI-edit ban; AI background replacement and tool-based crop/resize remain accepted
Same-photo compatibility — French photo and other applications
The French 35 × 45 mm light-grey background photo works for:
- All Schengen Area visa applications (TLScontact, VFS Global processing)
- Carte d'identité française (CNI) renewals
- EU residence permits (titre de séjour)
- UK passport applications (UK also accepts light grey)
- Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea (capture against white for safest reuse)
- Not compatible with: US 2 × 2 in, India, Canada, China, any non-Schengen 35 × 45 mm country with strict pure-white background
French Passport — common questions
What is the official French Passport size?
The official French Passport size is 35 mm × 45 mm (1.38 in × 1.77 in). For digital uploads it equals 413 × 531 px at 300 DPI.
What background color is required for a French Passport?
French Passport photos must be taken on a plain white background, evenly lit and free of shadows or patterns.
How big should the face appear in a French Passport photo?
The head should fill 70–80% of the photo height, with eyes positioned in the upper-middle of the frame and a neutral expression looking straight at the camera.
Can I take a French Passport photo at home?
Yes. Use a recent phone photo against a plain wall, with even daylight and no glasses. Our tool then crops, recolors the background, and resizes to the official 35 mm × 45 mm template.
Can I print the French Passport at CVS, Walgreens, or another pharmacy?
Yes. We generate a 4x6 print sheet with 8 photos that any pharmacy or photo kiosk can print.
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Where we sourced these France specifications
Dimensions, background colour, and biometric framing on this page are compiled from the references below. Always reconfirm the latest guidance directly with the issuing authority before submitting an application.
- service-public.fr
- passeport.ants.gouv.fr
- diplomatie.gouv.fr
Last reviewed:
Other countries' passport & visa photo rules
Photo dimensions and background rules vary by issuing authority. Compare nearby countries you may also be applying to.