New Zealand Passport Photo
Prepare a perfect passport photo with guaranteed acceptance!
1M+
approved
ID photos
ID photos
200%
Guarantee of
acceptance
acceptance
1M+
approved
ID photos
ID photos
200%
Guarantee of
acceptance
acceptance
How does it work?
Perfect biometric photo within 3 minutes.
Check how simple and smart is it!
Take or upload a photo
That's the only thing you need to do. Take or upload a photo - we will take care of the rest.
AI prepares the photo
Artificial Intelligence will check your photo, crop it to the right size and remove the background.
Expert verification
Our Photo Expert will make additional verification to check if your photo meets the official requirements.
Digital or printed photos
You can download a digital version and order a printout which we will send within 2-3 days. Delivery is free!
Why?
Take a biometric photo conveniently without leaving home
You save time and money
Convenience
Don't waste time, effort or money. You can take your passport photo without leaving home.
Professional service
Over 1 million people have used our services within the past 11 years. Our Photo Experts are available 24/7.
Money-back guarantee
We give you a guarantee of acceptance by authorities or otherwise we will refund you double the price!
Satisfaction guarantee
Take as many photo shots as you want - you pay only when you are satisfied.
How to take a photo?
Taking a photo for your ID has never been so easy.
Follow simple instruction to take a perfect ID photo.
1
Body-camera distance
The distance between the face and the camera should be about 40 cm. Ideally the photo should be taken by the other person.
2
Posture: Straight ahead
Place your face in front of the lens. Hold the camera at eye level and keep neutral face expression.
3
Lighting
Stand facing the light source, for example an exposed window. The background will be cut out, don't worry about it.
New Zealand Digital Passport Photo - Size & Requirements
Size
Width: 1500 px
Height: 2000 px
Resolution
1 dpi
Is it suitable for online submission?
No
Image definition parameters
Head height: 70 %
Bottom of the Photo to the Eye Line: 54 %
Is it printable?
No
Background Color
Show more
Users about us
The service is fantastic! They check all the pics personally in case the app doesn't pick up any mistakes. This happened to me and it was dealt with within a day. Highly recommended. Pics are great.
I am really impressed not only with the app but with the people behind the app. We needed a passport photo for our newborn and what a challenge that was! They were very patient with us and helped us find the best photo out of the many we took for him.
It appears to be a great service, after I had two photos rejected for my nz passport when they got to secondary check I decided to give these guys a go ( this is written during lockdown, no passport photo places open) great attention to detail hope it works
Passport photos NZ - guidelines
The original New Zealand passport was first issued in 1915. From that moment on, if you wanted to obtain a New Zealand passport, you had to follow a specific process. The most important stage is usually taking your passport photo. NZ’s government has strict rules regarding what your photo should look like and failure to comply can result in your application being rejected. To avoid common mistakes, we have prepared this guide to help you make the perfect digital photo for your New Zealand passport..
New Zealand passport photos - requirements
Your NZ passport photo needs to meet a number of technical requirements, whether you are using a digital or a paper version. The general guidelines are:
- The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months
- The passport image should show your full face, neck and part of your shoulders or upper chest
- It must be portrait, not landscape
- A natural facial expression is required
- The passport photo needs to have a plain, light-coloured background (not white)
- Headbands and head coverings are not allowed
The government will not accept selfies or digital scans of printed photos. You can apply for your passport online, for which you will need one digital passport photo, or you can choose the paper form with two identical photos and documentation. If you choose to use our Passport Photo Online application, your photo will be checked twice: firstly by an automated system, and then by our specialized staff.
New Zealand passport photo dimensions
The required resolution for your New Zealand passport photo is between 900 x 4500 and 1200 x 6000 pixels. Additionally, the file size cannot be less than 250KB or more than 10MB. It should be a portrait photo with a 4:3 aspect ratio (3:4 on a smartphone), in JPG or JPEG format, if you prefer to submit an online application, or 35 mm x 45 mm in size if you want to use paper photos.
Validity
You must provide a current photo, which means that your photo must have been taken within the last 6 months. The passport service needs to confirm your current appearance, so if you have changed it in any way, we recommend that you take a new photo.
Photo quality for New Zealand passport
The passport image must be:
- in colour
- in high resolution
- good-quality
The photo cannot be:
- digitally changed
- damaged in any way
- blurry
- pixelated
- overexposed/underexposed
Background and lighting
In the NZ passport photo specifications, it is made clear that the background of the photo should be plain, light-coloured, but not white. It also isn’t allowed to show any objects or other people. The best light for taking a picture is natural, so choose daylight, whenever possible. The light must be evenly spread out, so that it doesn’t cast shadows on your face. Make sure that there are no reflections or glare.
Head and face
You must have a natural facial expression, with your eyes open and your mouth closed. Your face must be totally visible, centred and pointing directly at the camera. Your hair should be away from your eyes and the sides of your face.
Glasses and head covering
Wearing glasses in the photo is allowed if:
- They are not sunglasses, tinted or thick-framed.
- They don’t cause flash reflection on the lenses.
There must be a gap between the frames and your eyes, which cannot be covered. No head coverings, headbands, hats, or other items are accepted unless they are for religious or medical purposes. Facial piercings will not be allowed if they obscure your face.
What to wear for a NZ passport photo?
Choose normal clothing – no uniforms or camouflage of any kind wil be allowed. Be careful, extravagant outfits may cause problems with your application as well. You should wear the type of clothes you wear on a daily basis.
Photo for NZ baby passport
The NZ passport photo guidelines are a bit more flexible when you are taking a picture of a baby or young child. You are allowed to photograph young children from above if they can’t support themselves yet, using a white sheet or similar as a background. However, you still need to make sure the child’s head is facing the camera and their eyes open, and there can’t be anyone or anything else in the photo - so no toys or dummies!
How can you take a NZ passport photo at home?
Going to a professional photographer can be expensive and time-consuming. But what else can you do, when there are so many photo requirements to fulfil? Fortunately, you have the option to get your NZ passport photo online! All you have to do is get a friend or family member to take a picture of you, or pick an existing photo and upload it to the Passport Photo Online website. We will handle the rest.
New Zealand passport photo maker
Passport Photo Online tool will:
- Replace the existing background with the correct one, if needed.
- Crop your photo to the correct New Zealand Passport Photo Size.
- Check your facial expression, the position of your head, the colour of the photo, and other important elements to ensure they are acceptable.
Prepare your space and yourself
Use a digital camera or a smartphone. Stand slightly away from the light-coloured background. Remember to take a picture in balanced, natural lighting, preferably in daylight. It is a good idea to ask someone else to take the photo, because the camera should be placed 1.5 m away from your face, at eye level. Make sure there are no shadows in the photo – your face must be evenly lit.
New Zealand passport photos - the most common mistakes
Be careful not to cause your application to be rejected by making these simple mistakes.
Do not:
- Submit an old or damaged photo.
- Use a picture that is underexposed/overexposed, or that has shadows.
- Smile or open your mouth in the picture.
- Wear clothes that are not allowed.
- Wear head-coverings or a headband.
- Doctor your digital photos with photo editing software, such as Photoshop.
Photo requirements are based on: www.passports.govt.nz
Last update: 24.09.2021
Photo requirements are based on: www.passports.govt.nz
Last update: 19/03/23
About the document
New Zealand Passport
Does New Zealand Passport share your personal information, that is on the biodata page, with the world? Yes, and that information includes: name of a holder, nationality, sex, place and date of birth, passport photo, and other information about the document.
Types of New Zealand passports
- Ordinary – for New Zealand citizens for ordinary travels (holidays, business trips)
- Diplomatic – for New Zealand diplomats, top ranking government officials and diplomatic couriers
- Official – for individuals representing The New Zealand government on official business
- Emergency Travel Document – for urgent travel only
- Certificate of Identity – for alien residents of New Zealand who are unable to obtain a national passport
- Refugee Travel Document – for recognized refugees in New Zealand.
New Zealand Passport allows to travel internationally to 132 countries (Visa-free: 89, Visa on arrival: 43, Visa required: 66). It is issued to New Zealand citizens and it is on the 3rd place in the ranking of the most powerful passports in the world. Versions in which it can appear:
- first version since 1915
- machine-readable passport since 1992
- biometric passport since 2005
- current version since 2009
The Department of Internal Affairs launched a new version of the biometric passport because it needed to ensure that it would remain difficult, to produce counterfeit New Zealand passports. Unlike the previous biometric passport, photos on the biodata page are now laser engraved in black and white for extra security.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Can I take my own passport photo?
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Yes, you can definitely take your own passport photo, it couldn’t be simpler! All you have to do is ask a friend to take a picture of you using your phone, then visit the Passport Photo Online website, or download our app, and upload it. We will then check it for mistakes and reformat it to fit the NZ passport photo rules. Then, once it’s ready, you can either have it ordered to your home or, if you plan to apply online, get your photo emailed directly to you, ready to be attached to your online application.
What size is a NZ passport photo?
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The rules on passport photo size in NZ state that it needs to be 35 x 45mm in size. If you plan to apply online, the resolution of your digital photos must be between 900 x 1200 and 4500 x 6000 pixels. The file size needs to be between 250KB and 10MB.
Where can I get my passport photo near me?
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If you want to get a new passport photo taken, you could go down to a local photographer’s studio to get it done, or you could find a photo booth that does biometric photos. This can be expensive and time-consuming, though, so we advise you to use Passport Photo Online! The software is efficient and easy to use, and it can save you a lot of money. Plus, you can take your photo anywhere, it works wherever you are!
Where can I get my passport photo in Auckland?
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If you’re based in Auckland and looking for a passport photo, you’ve got plenty of options. You could look for a photo booth in the city, or even use a professional studio like Photo Warehouse. However, if you’re struggling to find the time to use these methods, we have a useful alternative! Passport Photo Online is quick and easy to use - you don’t even need to leave home to use it! Our service guarantees success, so you’ll get a good photo, every time.
Would my passport photo be rejected if I smile?
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Yes, it will be rejected, you need to ensure your facial expression is neutral, with your mouth closed.
Can NZ passport photos have glasses?
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Yes, but only if essential, for example, if you need to wear prescription glasses. Even in these cases, you should ensure that your glasses do not create a reflection or obscure your eyes in any way. You also must avoid sunglasses or tinted glasses.
