Ireland Passport Photo Requirements — 35×45 mm, free online

Department of Foreign Affairs specs in one page: 35×45 mm, 413×531 pixels at 300 DPI, plain light grey or off-white background, neutral expression, no smile, no glasses. Make a compliant Irish passport photo in your browser — your image never leaves your device.

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Ireland Passport Photo Specification

The numbers the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs expects on every Passport Online application and paper passport form.

Photo size (print)35 × 45 mm
Pixels at 300 DPI413 × 531 px
Passport Online (digital)Minimum 715 × 951 px, JPEG, under 12 MB
Head height29–34 mm chin to crown
Eye positionEyes fully visible, looking straight at the camera
BackgroundPlain light grey or off-white — no patterns
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed, no smile
GlassesNot permitted (medical exception only)
Taken withinThe last six months

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The editor auto-crops to 35×45 mm, removes the background in your browser, and exports at 300 DPI — compatible with Passport Online digital upload and any Irish Post Office photo print service.

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Drop a phone HEIC or JPG — we auto-crop and remove the background.

Rules for Irish Passport Photos

What Passport Online and the Passport Office in Dublin check before approving your application.

Background

Plain light grey or off-white. Pure white is also accepted. No patterned walls, no shadows behind the head. Stand 50 cm or more from the wall to avoid cast shadow.

Expression

Strictly neutral — no smile, no grin, mouth closed. The Passport Office rejects smiling photos. Eyes open, looking at the camera, head straight.

Glasses

Not allowed except for medical reasons. Even with a medical note, no reflections and no tinted lenses. For almost everyone the safest choice is to take them off.

Head coverings

Allowed for religious reasons — hijab, turban, kippah. The entire face must be visible from chin to forehead and ear to ear. No fashion hats.

Children and babies

For children under six, a neutral expression is not required — a baby photo just needs the eyes open and the face visible. No other people in the frame, including parent hands.

Photo age

Must be taken within the last six months. An older photo risks rejection if your appearance has changed noticeably.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Irish passport photo requirements?

The Department of Foreign Affairs requires a 35×45 mm photo taken within the last six months, plain light grey or off-white background, head 29–34 mm chin to crown, neutral expression with mouth closed, eyes open, no glasses, no smiling.

Can I use a digital photo for Passport Online?

Yes. The Passport Online service requires a digital photo uploaded during the application — minimum 715×951 pixels, JPEG format, under 12 MB. You can take it on a phone and use this tool to crop it to the right aspect ratio.

Do I need a countersignatory for my Irish passport photo?

For a first-time adult Irish passport and some renewals, yes — a witness countersigns the application form and one printed photo on the back. For standard online renewals no countersignatory is needed.

Can I smile on an Irish passport photo?

No. A neutral expression with mouth closed is required. The Passport Office lists "smiling" as a common rejection reason alongside glasses reflections and red-eye.

What background colour is required for an Irish passport photo?

Light grey or off-white, plain and uniform. Pure white is also accepted but light grey contrasts better with pale skin and hair — this is why Ireland prefers it.

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