France Passport Photo: check yours against the official spec

A French passport photo is 35 mm wide by 45 mm high, with your face measuring 3.2 to 3.6 cm from chin to crown (70 to 80% of the photo), against a plain light background such as light grey or light blue. A white background is forbidden in France (the official rule says 'le fond blanc est interdit'), which is the opposite of the US requirement. For applications the photo must come from an ANTS approved photographer or photo booth, which issues the e-photo code; use this tool to check compliance and practise your pose before paying for the official shot.

Check your photo free. Pay $9 only if it passes. Accepted or your money back.

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Use a clear, front-facing photo against a plain white wall in even light. We measure and crop it. We never edit the pixels you submit.

🛡️ Accepted or your money back🔒 Your photo is deleted within 24 hours✓ We never edit your photo

France passport photo requirements

Photo size	1 3/8 × 1 3/4 inches (35 × 45 mm)
Head height (chin to top of hair)	1 1/4 to 1 3/8 in (32 to 36 mm)
Eye height from bottom	3/4 to 1 1/8 in (19 to 30 mm)
Background	plain light colour such as light blue or light grey: a white background is forbidden
Digital file	JPEG, at least 750 × 750 px

Common reasons a France passport photo is rejected

The background is white. France explicitly forbids a white background for passport photos; use light grey or light blue instead.
The face is outside 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown (70 to 80% of the photo).
A head covering is worn, hair covers the face, or the ears are covered. The head must be bare, and no religious exception is listed for passport photos.
Smiling or an open mouth, tinted or reflective glasses, or a photo older than 6 months.

“Photos must not be changed using computer software, phone apps or filters, or artificial intelligence.”
U.S. Department of State, passport photo requirements

Photo rejections are common, and you pay twice

A rejected photo means a delayed application and paying again for a retake. It's one of the most common problems people hit when applying, and it's exactly what this tool is built to catch before you submit:

We measure your photo against the official spec, never AI-edit it (itself a rejection reason as of 2026), and back it accepted-or-your-money-back.

What a passport photo really costs

The photo is the cheap part. The expensive part is a rejection: redo fees, another queue, and a delayed application or trip. Here is the honest comparison:

Pharmacy or retail (CVS, Walgreens)$16 to $17 per attempt	No compliance guarantee. A rejection means paying and queueing again.
USPS photo serviceabout $15	Same deal: rejected means a second visit and a second fee.
Cheap online photo editors$1 to $3	Most replace your background with software. Edited photos are a documented rejection reason for the US, UK and Canada since 2026, and refunds usually cover technical failures only.
Compliant Passport PhotoFree check. $9 only if it passes	We measure and crop your original, never edit it. Accepted or your money back.

Retail prices are typical 2026 US prices and vary by location. Our guarantee: accepted or your money back.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a white background for a French passport photo?

No. France explicitly forbids a white background ('le fond blanc est interdit'). Use a plain light colour such as light grey or light blue. This is the opposite of the US rule, so a photo shot for a US document will fail in France.

Can I take my French passport photo at home?

Not for the application itself. Photos for online passport applications must come from an ANTS approved photographer or an approved photo booth, which gives you a signed e-photo code. This tool helps you check compliance and practise the pose before paying for the official shot; it cannot generate the e-photo code.

How big should my face be in a French passport photo?

Your face must fill 70 to 80% of the photo, which the official rule states as 3.2 to 3.6 cm from your chin to the crown of your head.

Can I wear a hat or headscarf in a French passport photo?

No. The head must be bare: no hats, scarves, or headbands. The official passport photo page lists no religious exception. Hair must not cover the face, a fringe is acceptable if the eyes are visible, and the ears must be uncovered.

Is the same photo used for the French carte d'identite?

Yes. The same 35 x 45 mm norm covers the carte d'identite.