Quick Reference: Irish Passport Photo Specs
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Printed size | 35mm × 45mm (min) to 38mm × 50mm (max) |
| Digital dimensions | Min 715 × 951 pixels (JPEG) |
| File format | JPEG (.jpg/.jpeg) |
| File size | Max 9MB |
| Head height | 32–36mm (70–80% of photo height) |
| Background | White or light grey, plain |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open |
| Recency | Taken within last 6 months |
| Glasses | NOT allowed |
Digital Photo Requirements
If you're applying through Passport Online, the DFA's online application system, you'll need to upload a digital photo. The Department of Foreign Affairs has specific technical requirements:
Technical Specifications
- Dimensions: Minimum 715 × 951 pixels
- File format: JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg)
- File size: Maximum 9MB
- Colour: Must be in full colour (not black and white)
- Aspect ratio: Portrait orientation (taller than wide), matching 35mm × 45mm proportions
Passport Online Upload
Passport Online is the DFA's recommended way to apply for an Irish passport. When uploading your photo, the system will run automated checks on the image. If your photo does not meet the technical requirements, the system will reject it at the upload stage and you'll need to submit a new one.
Composition Rules
Your photo must show your full face, centred in the frame, from the top of your hair to below your chin. Your face (from chin to crown) should take up 70–80% of the photo height, which means the head should measure approximately 32–36mm in a standard 45mm-tall print. You should be looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
Do
- • Take photo against a plain white or light grey background
- • Face the camera directly
- • Keep both eyes open and visible
- • Ensure even lighting on your face
- • Use natural daylight when possible
Don't
- • Use filters or digitally enhance the photo
- • Have shadows on your face or background
- • Include other people or objects
- • Wear glasses of any kind
- • Use a photo older than 6 months
Printed Photo Requirements
If you're applying by post through An Post's Passport Express service or at a Passport Office, you'll need to submit printed photos. The DFA requires the following specifications:
Size Specifications
- Photo size: 35mm × 45mm (minimum) to 38mm × 50mm (maximum)
- Head height: 32–36mm from chin to crown (70–80% of photo height)
- Face position: Head centred, looking directly at the camera
- Quantity: 4 identical photos required for postal applications
Print Quality Requirements
- Printed on high-quality photographic paper
- Must be a professional-quality print — not a home inkjet printout
- No creases, tears, smudges, or marks
- No borders or white edges around the photo
- Must not be cut from a larger photo — should be individually printed
Important
Two of your four photos must be signed on the back by your witness (someone who can verify your identity). Write your name and the date lightly in pencil on the back of the remaining photos. Do not staple or paper-clip photos to the application form.
Appearance Rules
These rules apply to both digital and printed photos. The Department of Foreign Affairs uses facial recognition technology to verify your identity, so following these rules precisely is critical to avoid rejection.
Face & Expression
- Neutral expression with mouth closed — no smiling, grinning, or exaggerated expressions
- Both eyes must be open and clearly visible
- Face the camera directly — head should not be tilted or turned
- No hair covering your eyes or face
- Nothing covering your face (masks, face paint, etc.)
- Your face should take up 70–80% of the photo height
Background
- Plain white or light grey background
- No patterns, textures, or gradients
- No objects or other people visible
- No shadows on the background
- Ensure clear contrast between you and the background
Lighting
- Even, balanced lighting on your face
- No shadows on your face or on the background behind you
- No red-eye effect
- Natural daylight is usually best — face a window for even illumination
- Avoid overhead lighting that creates undereye shadows
Photo Editing & Digital Manipulation
No Digital Enhancement or Manipulation
The Department of Foreign Affairs strictly prohibits any digital enhancement or manipulation of passport photos. Photos processed with beauty filters, AI face-editing tools, background replacement apps, or any form of digital retouching will be rejected. Passport Online uses automated screening to detect digitally altered images, and submitting a manipulated photo may delay your application.
Babies & Children: Special Rules
Taking passport photos of babies and young children is one of the most challenging parts of a child's passport application. Here's what the DFA requires:
Photo Requirements for Infants
- Same 35mm × 45mm size requirement as adults
- Baby's eyes must be open — this is strictly enforced
- No pacifiers, dummies, or bottles visible in the photo
- No other person visible — no hands, arms, or fingers supporting the baby
- Lay baby on a plain white sheet or blanket and photograph from above
Children Under 18
- Child passports are valid for 5 years (not 10 years like adults)
- Both parents or guardians must consent to the application
- Can apply online through Passport Online or by post via Passport Express
Rules That Still Apply to All Children
- Child must be the only person in the photo
- No toys, pacifiers, blankets, hats, or dummies
- Same background and quality requirements as adults
- Photo must be taken within the last 6 months
Tips for Baby Photos
- Time it right — take the photo after a feed and nap when your baby is calm and alert
- Use a white sheet — lay baby on a plain white sheet on a flat surface
- Natural light — position near a window but avoid direct sunlight that causes squinting
- Photograph from above — stand directly over the baby looking down
- Take many shots — babies are unpredictable, so take dozens of photos and pick the best one where the eyes are open
Glasses & Head Coverings
Glasses Are Not Allowed
The Department of Foreign Affairs does not allow glasses in Irish passport photos. This includes prescription glasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses. Glasses cause glare, reflections, and can obscure facial features used by biometric matching systems. You must remove all eyewear before taking your photo.
Not Allowed
- • Prescription glasses
- • Reading glasses
- • Sunglasses
- • Tinted or transition lenses
- • Blue-light blocking glasses
- • Any eyewear on top of head
Medical Exception
- • Only permitted with medical documentation
- • A medical certificate confirming glasses cannot be removed is required
- • Eyes must still be clearly visible
- • No glare or reflections on lenses
Religious Headwear
Religious head coverings are permitted in Irish passport photos, including hijabs, turbans, and other religious headwear. However, you must meet these requirements:
- Your full face must be visible from chin to forehead, and both sides of the face
- The covering must not cast shadows on your face
- No face veil — the face cannot be obscured in any way
- The head covering must be worn for religious or medical reasons
Medical Headwear
Head coverings worn for medical reasons (such as for alopecia or post-surgery recovery) are also permitted with appropriate medical documentation. The same rules apply: your full face must be visible and the covering must not cast shadows.
Never Allowed
- • Hats (baseball caps, beanies, fashion hats)
- • Headphones or earbuds
- • Hair accessories that obscure the face
- • Any non-religious, non-medical head covering
Common Reasons Photos Get Rejected
Photo problems are one of the most common causes of Irish passport application delays. Passport Online will reject non-compliant photos at the upload stage, and postal applications will be returned if the photos do not meet requirements. Here are the top rejection reasons:
Wearing glasses
The most common cause of rejection — remove all eyewear before taking your photo
Incorrect head size
Face must occupy 70–80% of the photo height (32–36mm) — too close or too far causes rejection
Shadows on face or background
Uneven lighting creating visible shadows anywhere in the photo
Wrong background
Background must be plain white or light grey — no colours, patterns, or objects
Blurry or out of focus
Photo must be sharp and clear with no motion blur
Wrong expression
Mouth open, smiling, eyes closed, or looking away from camera
Hair covering eyes or face
Both eyes and full face from chin to hairline must be completely visible
Digital enhancement detected
Beauty filters, background swaps, or any digital manipulation — strictly enforced
Wrong dimensions
Photo not within 35×45mm to 38×50mm (printed) or under 715×951 pixels (digital)
Photo older than 6 months
Must reflect your current appearance — taken within the last 6 months
Red-eye
Red-eye in the photo or digitally corrected red-eye — both are rejected
Baby photos: eyes closed or pacifier visible
Baby’s eyes must be open, and no pacifiers, dummies, or hands in the frame
What Happens If Your Photo Is Rejected?
If your photo doesn't meet requirements, the outcome depends on how you applied:
- Passport Online: The system may reject your photo at the upload stage, allowing you to immediately submit a new one. If the photo passes the automated check but is later found non-compliant during manual review, you'll be contacted to provide a new photo.
- Passport Express (post): Your application will be returned with a request for new photos, adding 2–4 weeks to processing time.
- In-person: You'll be asked to return with compliant photos before your application can be processed.
Where to Get Irish Passport Photos
You have several options for getting your passport photo taken in Ireland. Prices and availability vary:
| Location | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photo booths | €8–€10 | Available in shopping centres and train stations; printed photos only |
| Photo studios / photographers | €10–€15 | Professional quality; may offer digital copies for Passport Online |
| Pharmacies | €8–€12 | Many pharmacies offer passport photo services; availability varies |
| An Post | €10 | Available at select Post Office locations; can combine with Passport Express posting |
| EasyPassportPhoto Online — from your phone | €9.99 | Take from home, instant DFA compliance check, digital for Passport Online + printable, money-back guarantee |
Why Take Your Photo Online?
Online passport photo services like EasyPassportPhoto offer several advantages over traditional options:
- Convenient — take your photo from home, no driving or waiting in a queue
- Affordable — €9.99 compared to €10–15 at photo studios
- Unlimited retakes — not happy with the first shot? Take as many as you need
- Compliance guaranteed — AI-powered checks ensure your photo meets all DFA requirements before you submit
- Both formats — get a digital file for Passport Online and a printable file for postal applications
- Ready for Passport Online — upload your photo directly to the DFA's online system
Irish Passport Fees (2026)
Irish passport fees depend on whether you're an adult or child and which type of passport you need. Here are the current fees set by the Department of Foreign Affairs:
Standard Passport Fees
| Passport Type | Online | Post | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Standard (34-page) | €75 | €80 | 10 years |
| Adult Large (66-page) | €105 | €110 | 10 years |
| Child (under 18) | €20 | €30 | 5 years |
Processing Times
| Application Method | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Passport Online (renewal) | 10–15 business days |
| Passport Online (first time / child) | 15–20 business days |
| Passport Express (post) | 20+ business days |
Note: Processing times may vary during peak travel season (spring/summer). The DFA recommends applying at least 6 weeks before planned travel. Passport Online is significantly faster than postal applications and is the DFA's recommended application method.
How to Apply
- Passport Online: The fastest and cheapest way to apply. Available for renewals, first-time adult applications, and children. Visit passportonline.dfa.ie
- Passport Express: Apply by post through An Post. Forms available at Post Offices. Slower and slightly more expensive than online.
- In person: Visit the Passport Office in Dublin (Mountjoy) or Cork for urgent applications. Appointment required.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Official Sources
This guide is based on official Department of Foreign Affairs guidance. For the most up-to-date requirements, always check the official sources: