Your Italian Passport Photo, Effortlessly Obtained

Prepare a perfect passport photo with guaranteed acceptance!

1M+
approved
ID photos
200%
Guarantee of
acceptance
Your Italian Passport Photo, Effortlessly Obtained
1M+
approved
ID photos
200%
Guarantee of
acceptance

How does it work?

Get the perfect biometric photo in 3 minutes or less.

Check out just how simple it is!

Snap or upload a photo

Snap or upload a photo

That's the only thing you need to do. Snap or upload a photo - we'll take care of the rest.

AI prepares the photo

AI prepares the photo

Artificial Intelligence will check your photo, crop it to the right size and remove the background.

Expert verification

Expert verification

Our Photo Expert will make additional verification to check if your photo meets the official requirements.

Digital or print photos

Digital or print photos

You can download a digital version and order a printout which we will send within 2-4 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 guarantee the authorities will accept your photo(s) or we will refund double your purchase cost!

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 these simple instruction to take the 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.

Italian Passport Photo - Size & requirements

Quick and Easy Italian Passport Photo: At Home
Size
Width: 35 mm
Height: 45 mm
Resolution
600 dpi
Is it suitable for online submission?
Yes
Image definition parameters
Head height: 30 mm
Bottom of the Photo to the Eye Line: 25 mm
Is it printable?
Yes
Background Color
Show more

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More about Italian Passport Photo - Requirements

Biometric photo for the Italian Passport

You can’t just submit any photo for the Italian Passport. The photo you use for this document must be a professional biometric one that is suitable for identification. By biometric photo we mean a photo that comprises only the frontal view of your head and shoulders, without any alterations, objects, shadows, or reflections that would make it difficult to identify your face. We will outline the requirements for the Italian passport photo below.

Size & general requirements for the Italian passport photo

A really important part of any official document is the photograph, whether it be Italy or anywhere else in the world. We will help you generate the photo for your Italian Passport by offering you some tips and guidelines. Below we’ll go over the size of an Italian Passport photo, and a list of requirements to consider when taking a biometric photo.

The photographs must be:

  • No more than 6 months old
  • 35–40mm in width
  • In sharp focus and clear
  • Of high quality with no ink marks or creases

The photographs for an Italian passport also must:

  • Show you looking directly at the camera
  • Show your natural skin tone 
  • Have appropriate brightness and contrast
  • Be printed on high quality paper, in high resolution

Passport images for your Italian passport - technical requirements 

  • In color
  • The photo must show your head and top of your shoulders and your head should take up 70 – 80% of the photograph
  • The resolution should be 1200dpi or higher
  • The size must be 35 x 40mm

Colors and shadows in the photo for your Italian passport 

The passport photo should not be overexposed or underexposed, because it would not reflect your natural hair color and skin tone. If you use daylight you will get the best results to eliminate any possible shadows. 

Here are our tips:

  • To take the picture, stand in front of a window.
  • Position yourself 2 meters away from the camera.
  • Make sure the light is evenly distributed on your face.
  • Turn off the flash, as it could create a "red-eye" effect that could cause your image to be rejected.

Wearing makeup, jewelry, or headgear in your Italian passport photo

Makeup, and even headwear, are allowed (in some particular cases) for your official biometric photo for the Italian Passport.

However, you have to keep in mind that excessive makeup may cause your photo to be rejected. Whereas headwear is only approved for religious purposes. Wearing a cap, or any other type of head covering that is not worn for religious purposes, is prohibited according to the biometric photo specifications. Your ears must be fully visible. If you wear an excessive amount of jewelry, your application for the passport may be rejected.

Italian passport photo requirements - prescription glasses and hair 

It is forbidden to wear sunglasses in passport photos. While prescription glasses are permitted, you must make sure that they don’t obscure your eyes or facial features. Although the Italian biometric photo regulations do not totally prohibit glasses in photos, we advise you to remove your everyday glasses when having your photo taken, to be 100% sure that your photos get accepted by the Italian passport authorities. 

If you have a voluminous hairstyle, make sure it doesn’t go beyond the margins of the photo. Another hairstyle to be careful with when having your passport photo taken are your bangs, you should make sure that no hair covers your face as this could be grounds for rejection of the photograph.

There is no specific mention of beards in the biometric photo requirements. Therefore, if you wear a beard on a daily basis, thankfully you don’t need to shave it off to have your passport photos taken. 

Clothing

You can pretty much dress however you want for your photo, but there are some things to take into consideration. First of all, we recommend that you don’t wear light-colored or uniform clothing. Light colors may cause you to blend in with the background, and uniforms are just not allowed in passport photos. 

Because this is an official photo, which will identify you for the next 10 years, we advise you to not wear a tank top (it might make you look naked), and it’s not the best attire choice for a photo that you will show over and over again.

Recent changes in appearance and the validity of the Italian passport photo 

Italian passport photos must portray their holders’ current appearance. In the event that you already have a photo template and wish to use it for your application, you may of course do so, but you should note that the image selected cannot be more than six months old. 

However, if your appearance has changed drastically within this recent period, you will need to use a new photograph. Neither cutting or coloring your hair, nor growing a beard requires a new photo from you. In the case of children and adolescents under the age of 16, it is not necessary to take a new biometric photo, even if they change quite a bit during the validity period of the document. However, a new photo is required in certain situations, such as:

  • You have experienced permanent facial deformation.
  • You have gotten or removed tattoos/facial piercings.
  • You have lost/gained a considerable amount of weight.
  • You have undergone a gender change.
  • You have had facial plastic surgery.

Most frequent reasons Italian passport photos get rejected

It takes a lot of time to plan a passport application, and finding out that you have to go through the whole process again, because your photos for your Italian passport have been rejected may be pretty frustrating. Here is a list of the most frequent reasons why Italian passport photos get turned down:

  • The "red-eye" effect: if you take the photo with flash, your eyes will appear red, which will cause your photo to be rejected. Make sure your pupils are clearly visible, and that the lighting is natural, and the shape of your face is well defined to avoid this situation.
  • Having your head tilted or not looking directly at the camera. Your photo will be rejected if you take a profile shot or any other photo in which your head is tilted and your eyes are not looking directly into the camera lens.
  • Uneven lighting: shadows should be avoided so your facial features can be clearly visible in the biometric photo. The light should be evenly distributed on your face, and there should be no glares.
  • Smiling or making a funny face: unfortunately, your passport photo will be rejected if you smile. Your photo should resemble a mugshot - neutral/serious: it’s best to look as knowledgeable and respectable as possible.
  • Digital retouching to change or enhance your facial features is prohibited. Therefore, it is forbidden to use image editing programs such as Photoshop to adjust your appearance or use a filter on the official photo - it must show your true appearance and your true colors 
  • Passport photos that have staple holes, are wrinkled, or have any other markings will also not be accepted.

Online photo tool for your Italian passport photo

Official authorities will decline your photo if it doesn’t meet all the official requirements: no objects should appear in the background, your face has to be in good focus and the light has to be on both sides of your face. These are just some of the specifications that your passport pic must follow. You don't need to be a photo editing expert, with our Passport Photo Online application, you will see that it is very easy to get the right passport photo. This online photo tool will crop the image to the size according to the official requirements, remove the background and prepare a printable Italian Passport photo template for you.

Cropping tool 

The correct size for a biometric photo for the Italian passport is 35 x 40 mm. The best thing, however, is that you don't even need to remember it. Once you have chosen the document you want, the Artificial Intelligence that powers Passport Photo Online will take care of getting the right dimensions, cropping, and resolution. You just have to focus on taking the best photo of yourself. You only pay for the photo you choose - all other photos are tested for free.

Background removal tool

It doesn't matter if the background of your passport picture is a wall with shadows or shapes, or if other people or objects are visible in your frame. Whatever background color you need, our smart photo tool is capable of producing it. Passport Photo Online takes care of all challenges. Within seconds your background will be transformed into the correct, passport-worthy, plain white background. 

Compliance guarantee 

All photos are scanned by Passport Photo Online AI system, which makes sure that the photos are absolutely compliant. If your passport image gets rejected for whatever reason, after being certified by our authentication tool, just let us know and we will double refund your money. 

Photo template for your official passport photos

Once your photo is produced and accepted, you can order the digital version to be sent to your email address. This way you have the possibility to print the image at a printing shop or nearby pharmacy. Your passport photo will be ready to attach to the application form if you’re submitting it online. You can use a single photo as many times as you want.

Passport Photo Online - an app for Android and iPhone

Our Passport Photo Online app can be used on iOS and Android based phones. You can download it from the Google Play Store of Samsung, LG, Huawei, HTC, Lenovo and Sony or from the AppStore of your iPhone.

Why use an online photo app for your biometric photo?

You may not want any help with taking your own passport photo. Nevertheless, resizing and cropping the frame, as well as getting the background right, takes time and, in certain cases, is overwhelming. And in the end you're still not sure if a picture i's correct. With our photo app, the passport picture will be:

  • created with a background required for a biometric photo
  • perfectly sized and cropped (if required)
  • accepted by embassies or consulates, as well as by the Italian authorities
  • 100% satisfactory as you have the opportunity to take one milion shots if you need to, and choose your favorite one!

Sure, you can check for a photo booth or book a visit at a professional photography studio, but do you really want to spend your time and resources on something you can afford for a fraction of the cost and in just a minute? 

Take the right Italian passport photo from home online and feel safe. No matter how many passport photos you take, in the end you only pay for the one you order. You can try different outfits, makeup, and hairstyles, take lots of photos and play with the lighting. And you will always have the guarantee of biometric photo acceptance.

Last update: 5/28/23

About the document

Italian passports are issued to Italian nationals by:

- the Italian Police Office (Questura) in Italy;

- diplomatic-consular missions abroad.

The Italian passport is both a travel document and a form of identification. It is valid for 10 years, and once it expires it may not be renewed - upon expiry, a new passport must be issued. As stated on the Italian embassy website the Italian passport is valid in all countries whose governments have been recognized by the Italian government and, upon the bearer’s request, it can be made valid for those that have not been recognized by indicating the places of destination. 

Italian citizens can apply for the issuance of passports at any issuing office competent for the applicant’s place of residence, in Italy or abroad. 

Italian citizens residing or temporarily staying in the United States who are near Washington, D.C. may apply for a new passport by booking an appointment with the Passport Office of the Embassy of Italy. Those Italian citizens who reside in other Consulate jurisdictions must submit their application to the competent Italian consulate. 

Italian passport - first time applicants

After booking the appointment online, first time applicants for the Italian passport are required to submit the following along with their application:

  • two recent passport photos
  • a valid and signed photo ID document – either Italian or foreign.
  • U.S. Entry VISA or U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) issued or renewed after August 16, 1992. If the issuing date of the Green Card is before August 16, 1992, a declaration issued by the USCIS confirming that the applicant has not become a U.S. naturalized citizen must also be submitted.

If the applicant has become a U.S. naturalized citizen after his/her birth, he/she must submit, if never submitted before, a copy of his/her Naturalization Certificate.

Fees and required documents

New passport booklets are subject to payment of a total 116.00 Euro (138.30 US dollars) to be paid by check or Money order. The payment is made on the date of the appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

What is the size of an Italian Passport photo in the US?

+ -
35mm in width and 45mm in height

How much does an Italian passport cost?

+ -

The issuance or renewal of the Italian passport has a cost of 116 euros.

How long is the Italian passport valid for?

+ -
The Italian passport is valid for 10 years from the date of issue.

The photographs must be:

  • no more than 6-months old
  • 35–45 mm in width
  • close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph
  • in sharp focus and clear
  • of high quality with no ink marks or creases
Yes, but a number of factors must be taken into account:
  • The photo must clearly show the eyes, with no reflections in the glasses
  • The glasses should not be colored, and very large frames should be avoided if possible
  • The frame should not cover any part of the eyes.
Of course, an easy-to-use photo tool will help you! All you have to do is download our Photo Aid app available on iOS and Android, or use our web service. Take a photo for the Italian Passport in 10 seconds!
Yes, very important! Your facial expression should be neutral, so you should not smile, not even slightly.
The Italian Passport photo must be taken with a plain white background. No shadows should be visible.

In principle, no head covering is allowed. The face must be fully visible, and scarves, hats, and other headgear may partially cover the face. Religious headwear is an exception here, as it is a symbol of belonging to a religious community. It’s allowed in the biometric photo, but your face must be visible from the forehead to the chin. Otherwise, the photo will be rejected.

You can take your Italian Passport photo online using our tool! No need to find a photobooth or to book an appointment at a photography shop, simply use our app and get your Italian Passport photo at a small price and in no time.

To find out where to apply for the Italian passport, you can check the official website of the Italian Embassy in the United States, where you will find details of all the consulates and their jurisdictions.

You can ask someone to take the photo or use a tripod and place it approximately 3 feet (1 meter) away from you. Follow our guidelines regarding the rules for an Italian Passport photo and strike a pose! Then our app will change the background and resize your picture so it fits the Italian requirements and boom! You will receive your photo on your email address.

Our tool is based on Artificial Intelligence - the same one that’s used by government offices, embassies, and consulates, to verify photos of applicants. If you want to be sure that the photo attached to your application form is correct, just let our online photo app verify it!

You don't have to do it if you’re using our photo maker - simply select the document you wish to apply for, upload a picture of yourself and the AI system will take care of the rest.

Thanks to our app Passport Photo Online, it is no longer important to look for the closest photo studio or photo booth. Wherever and whenever you want, you can take a photo of your Italian Passport or any other official document: it may be at home, in your office or in your garden. All you need is a camera and our online biometric picture maker application is available for free, and your Italian Passport photo will be ready in no time!

No. Your photo must be printed on high-quality photo paper. You can take the photo through our app, have it verified for compliance, and print it at any photo service near you.

Usually, passport photos get rejected, because the person isn’t looking directly into the camera lens, the photos are the wrong color and/or not well exposed (shadows are visible).

You can take passport pictures yourself, using only your digital camera or smartphone. Get your perfect Italian passport photos using Passport Photo Online app.

New Italian passports are subject to payment of a total 116.00 Euro (138.30 US dollars)

Yes, you can wear prescription glasses as long as they don't cover your eyes and there is no glare in the lenses.

You must attach 2 (two) printed photos when applying for an Italian passport.

35 x 45 mm (width x height).

No, the passport photo must be in color.

You must provide a photo that’s not older than 6 months on the day of applying for your passport.

Bright and uniform background with no ornaments and no objects behind.

There must be no shadows on the face, neck, and background. There can’t be any other objects behind - only the subject. You may not wear sunglasses, tinted glasses, a hat, a scarf, or large hair accessories.

A new picture, even if the old one is fairly new, should be taken if your appearance has changed significantly in the last time. Yes, the biometric program may have a problem recognizing you. Such changes include, for example, growing or cutting a large beard, changing weight strongly, tattoos on the face or neck, etc.

The recommended quality of a digital file suitable for printing should be 600 dpi.

A smile distorts the natural expression of the face and disrupts the natural biometrics of the face, which are mandatory for passport photos.

No, you can't wear sunglasses or tinted glasses in the Italian paternal photo.

Yes, you can take a picture with a digital camera that takes pictures in high resolution (at least 600 dpi).

Yes, you can take a photo for your passport with your iPhone and other iOS devices.

Yes, you can take a photo for your Italian passport with any smartphone or device equipped with a megapixel camera and Android system.

You need a phone with a megapixel camera, a tripod or a person to help, and the Passport-Photo.online app. Place the camera on the tripod on a stable surface, at least 40 cm away from your face. Pose for the photos as required for the Italian passport, and upload the file to the online editor. Wait for the editor to verify the correctness of the photo, prepare the background, and cut the photo to the correct size. You will receive a print-ready photo to your email/phone.

Yes, the Passport-Photo.online generator will prepare a photo for you according to the requirements for the Italian passport. It will remove the background, crop the photo, and check it for correctness in accordance with official criteria.

A biometric photo is a photo required for most documents of the European Union countries, and many other countries around the world. It’s a photo that highlights the specific individual features of the person's face. Biometric features include, for example, iris color, jawline, distance between the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, and more. This type of photograph allows for a quick and error-free identification of the person in the photo.

Italian passports are processed at the Italian embassy in Washington, D.C., or the consulate corresponding to your address.