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