Ireland Passport Photo: check yours against the official spec
An Irish passport photo for online applications is a colour digital photo of at least 715 x 951 pixels, JPEG, up to 9 MB, with your face filling 70 to 80% of the frame against a plain light grey, white or cream background. It must not be a selfie, not a scan, and must not be digitally enhanced or changed. Paper applications use prints between 35 x 45 mm and 38 x 50 mm.
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.
Ireland 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 grey, white or cream |
| Digital file | JPEG, at least 715 × 715 px |
Common reasons a Ireland passport photo is rejected
- The photo is a selfie. Someone else must take the photo, without using zoom.
- The digital photo has been enhanced or changed, is a scan of a print, or is not in colour.
- Dark glasses are worn, or glasses with glare or frames covering the eyes. Clear glasses are allowed only if the eyes are fully visible.
- The face does not fill 70 to 80% of the frame, the expression is not neutral, or the mouth is open.
“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:
- r/Passports: the many reasons photos get rejected →
- r/travel: struggling to get a visa photo under the file-size limit →
- MoneySavingExpert: a rejected UK passport photo and the redo →
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
What are the requirements for an Irish passport photo online?
A colour digital photo, at least 715 x 951 pixels, JPEG format, up to 9 MB, not a scan and not digitally enhanced or changed, with your face filling 70 to 80% of the frame against a plain light grey, white or cream background.
Can I take an Irish passport photo myself?
Not as a selfie. The guidelines require someone else to take the photo, without zoom. You can still take it at home as long as another person holds the camera.
Should my Irish passport photo be black and white or colour?
Both, in different places. The digital upload must be in colour, but for paper applications black and white prints are actually recommended because the passport itself prints the photo in black and white.
Can I wear glasses in an Irish passport photo?
Yes, if they are clear, the frames do not cover your eyes, and there is no glare. Dark or tinted glasses are not accepted.
How many photos do I need for a paper Irish passport application?
Four identical printed photos, taken within the last 6 months, with the application form number written on the back of two of them.