ID or Passport Photo – Information

• The photo must be recent – taken no earlier than 6 months before submitting the application.
• You must not wear head coverings, dark glasses, or any items that obstruct facial recognition.
• The photo should show the entire head (from the top) and the upper part of the shoulders.
• The face should occupy 70–80% of the photo.
• The person must have a natural facial expression, with mouth closed and no mimicking gestures.

Visual impairments

• Corrective glasses are allowed if the eyes are clearly visible, frames do not cover eyebrows, and lenses are free from reflections.
• Contact lenses are allowed if they do not change the natural shape or color of your eyes.
• If you wear dark glasses due to a medical condition, you must submit a disability certificate.
• When applying online, attach a signed electronic document or a scan of the certificate. The original must be provided upon document collection.

Facial hair

• Facial hair is allowed if it does not hinder recognition.
• To avoid possible issues, it is advised to take the photo without facial hair.

Head coverings

• Allowed only for religious reasons – the face must be fully visible.
• You must submit a certificate confirming affiliation with a registered religious community in Poland.
• The full outline of the face and the line of the ears must be uncovered.

Jewelry

• Permitted if it does not cover the face or interfere with the uniform background.
• To avoid potential issues, it is recommended to take the photo without jewelry.

Face in the photo

• The face must be facing straight into the camera – no head tilting.
• The outline of the face should be clearly visible – no semi-profile.
• Natural facial expression, closed mouth, and visible eyebrows.
• Eyes must be naturally open, clearly visible with pupils directed straight into the camera.
• Red-eye effect is not acceptable.
• Ears do not need to be visible.
• The hairstyle may extend beyond the frame of the photo.
• If your medical condition prevents meeting these requirements, closed eyes, open mouth, or unnatural facial expression may be acceptable.

Background and lighting

• The background should be white, evenly lit, free of shadows and decorative elements.
• The face must be evenly lit – no light reflections on the skin or hair, no shadows.
• Only the person being photographed may appear in the photo.

Sharpness, contrast, and quality

• The photo must be sharp (no visible pixels), with natural contrast.
• The head contour must be clearly outlined – no overexposed background.
• The image should have natural coloring and appropriate tonal density – neither too light nor too dark.
• The photo must not have creases or surface damage.

Photos of children under 5

• The child may have closed eyes, an open mouth, or an unnatural facial expression.
• The face must not be covered (e.g. by hair or toys).
• The child’s head should be upright and straight.
• The background must be light, uniform, and without other people in the frame.

Photo format

Depends on the type of document:

• National ID card:
  • Online application: color photo in electronic format, minimum resolution 492×633 px, max. 2.5 MB, matching 35×45 mm proportions.
  • In-person application: printed color photo in 35×45 mm format.
• Passport (for children under 12 – online):
  • Color photo in electronic format, minimum resolution 768×1004 px, max. 2.5 MB, matching 35×45 mm proportions.
• Passport – in-person application:

  • Printed color photo in 35×45 mm format.

     

Additional information

If the photo is taken correctly but due to illness, injury, or physical characteristics you have closed eyes or an open mouth, the office may accept such a photo.

Source: https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/zdjecie-do-dowodu-lub-paszportu