Irish passport photo guide

Irish Passport Photo Requirements Digital and Printed Photo Guide for 2026

Check Irish passport photo requirements for online and paper applications, including the Digital Irish passport photo size, JPEG format, printed 35 x 45 mm photo requirements, Passport Book, Passport Card, adult, child and Irish visa photo guidance. Create your Irish passport photo online with Foxly Passport Photo Maker.

Updated: 28 July 2026 Digital and printed sizes Ireland passport photo guide

What Are the Irish Passport Photo Requirements?

Irish passport photo requirements at a glance

For an online Irish Passport Book or Passport Card application, submit a colour JPEG photo that is at least 715 pixels wide and 951 pixels high and no larger than 9MB. For a paper Passport Book application, submit four identical printed photos measuring 35 x 45 mm. The photo must be recent, clear, front-facing and taken against a plain light grey, white or cream background.

715 x 951 px Digital Irish passport photo size
JPEG Required digital file format
35 x 45 mm Printed Irish passport photo size
4 photos Paper Passport Book application

Digital Irish Passport Photo Size and Requirements

Passport Online requires a digital photo for an Irish Passport Book or Passport Card application. You can upload a digital image from your phone or computer or use a digital photo code from a participating provider.

Digital size and file format

  • At least 715 pixels wide
  • At least 951 pixels high
  • JPEG file format
  • Maximum file size of 9MB
  • Colour photo with no scanning or compression damage

Taking the photo at home

Ask another person to take the photograph using a smartphone, tablet or camera. Do not take a selfie and do not use digital zoom. Capture the head and upper body clearly with space around the head and shoulders.

Digital photo quality

  • No filters or face reshaping
  • No barrel distortion
  • No visible compression artefacts
  • Natural skin tone and balanced lighting

Irish passport digital photo code

Passport Online can accept a digital photo or a photo code from a participating provider. Foxly Passport Photo Maker supplies a prepared digital photo file for upload rather than an Irish government photo code.

Irish Passport Printed Photo Size and Requirements

A paper Irish Passport Book application requires four identical printed photos. The photographs must be no more than six months old and must meet the printed size, quality and witnessing requirements.

Printed Irish passport photo size

  • Printed photo size: 35 x 45 mm
  • Four identical photos for a paper Passport Book application
  • Face and shoulders fill 70% to 80% of the frame
  • Printed on high-resolution photo-quality paper
  • White and unglazed reverse side

Four photos and witness requirements

Include four separate identical photographs with the paper form. The application witness must write the form number from Section 9 on the back of two photos and sign and stamp those same two photos.

Print quality

  • Sharp focus and correct exposure
  • No ink marks, creases or damaged edges
  • No digital enhancement or altered facial features
  • Colour photos accepted and black-and-white photos also permitted

Which Irish Passport Photo Type Do You Need?

The correct photo format depends on whether you apply online or by paper form and whether you are requesting a Passport Book, Passport Card, adult passport, child passport or Irish visa.

Application typePhoto formatSize or file ruleQuantity
Passport Book onlineDigital JPEG photo or participating-provider photo codeMinimum 715 x 951 pixels and maximum 9MBOne digital photo
Passport Card onlineDigital JPEG photo or participating-provider photo codeMinimum 715 x 951 pixels and maximum 9MBOne digital photo
Adult first passport or renewal onlineDigital photoSame Passport Online digital specificationsOne digital photo
Child passport onlineDigital child photoSame digital specifications with child-photo flexibilityOne digital photo
Paper Passport Book applicationPrinted photographs35 x 45 mmFour identical photos
Irish visa applicationRecent colour printed photographs35 x 45 mmTwo photos

Irish Passport Biometric Photo Rules

Digital and printed Irish passport photos use the same main rules for face visibility, pose, expression, lighting, background, glasses and head coverings.

Face, pose and expression

Look directly into the camera with your head upright. Keep a neutral expression, close your mouth and avoid smiling, frowning or tilting your head.

  • Eyes open and clearly visible
  • Hair clear of the eyes
  • Head facing straight forward
  • Natural facial appearance

Background and lighting

Stand in front of a completely plain light grey, white or cream background. Keep doors, plants, furniture, patterns and other objects outside the frame.

  • No face or background shadows
  • No red-eye
  • Balanced exposure and colour
  • Clear sharp focus

Glasses, clothing and head coverings

Clear glasses are permitted when the frames do not cover the eyes and there is no glare. Dark glasses are not accepted. Religious or medical head coverings are allowed when all facial features remain visible.

  • No sunglasses or tinted lenses
  • No civil or military uniform
  • No clothing with official insignia
  • No fashion head accessories

Irish Passport Photo Requirements for Babies and Children

Children of every age need their own Irish passport photo. The child must appear alone and the photograph must show the face clearly against a plain light background.

Baby passport photo setup

A baby who cannot support themselves may be photographed lying on a plain white surface. Keep the camera directly above the child and use even lighting.

  • No parent, hands or supporting arms visible
  • No dummy or pacifier
  • No toys, blankets with patterns or chair back
  • Face visible and in focus

Child crop and expression

The Irish Passport Online cropping tool may allow manual framing for babies and small children from newborn to 36 months. The child’s face does not need to sit perfectly inside the displayed oval, but the crop should identify the child clearly.

Child photo check

  • Full face visible
  • No strong shadow
  • No obstruction across the eyes or mouth
  • Plain white, cream or light grey background

Irish Passport Photo and Irish Visa Photo Differences

An Irish passport application and an Irish visa application can use similar printed photo dimensions, but the submission method and number of photographs are different.

Irish passport application

Passport Online uses one digital JPEG photo or a participating-provider photo code. A paper Passport Book application uses four identical printed photos with two witnessed on the reverse.

Irish visa application

An Irish visa application requires two recent passport-sized colour photographs. Prepare them at 35 x 45 mm and follow the document checklist for your visa route and application location.

Irish Passport Photo Mistakes to Avoid

Poor-quality photographs can delay an Irish passport application. Check the digital file, printed size, face position, lighting and background before submitting your photo.

Photo featureCorrect requirementProblem to avoid
Digital fileJPEG, at least 715 x 951 pixels and no more than 9MBScanned photo, wrong format, low resolution or oversized file
Printed size35 x 45 mmWrong dimensions, borders or inaccurate cutting
ExpressionNeutral expression with closed mouthSmiling, frowning, open mouth or head tilt
BackgroundPlain light grey, white or creamObjects, door panels, furniture, patterns or shadows
GlassesEyes fully visible with no glareTinted lenses, reflection or frame covering the eyes
EditingNatural colour and unaltered facial featuresBeauty filters, face reshaping or artificial skin smoothing

How to Prepare an Irish Passport Photo Online with Foxly Passport Photo Maker

Use Foxly Passport Photo Maker from your phone or computer to prepare an Irish passport digital photo for Passport Online or a file suitable for ordering printed passport photographs.

1

Take or choose a photo

Use a clear front-facing photograph taken by another person against a plain light background.

2

Select Irish passport

Choose the Irish passport document option and select digital, printed or digital and printed service.

3

Submit for manual review

The image is checked for face position, background, lighting, expression and overall photo quality.

4

Receive the prepared photo

Receive your digital photo online with printed delivery available in the UK and Ireland.

Create Your Irish Passport Photo Online

Foxly Passport Photo Maker is available through the Foxly website and as an app for iPhone and Android. Upload your photo from anywhere, choose the Irish passport format and receive a professionally prepared digital photo after manual review. Digital service is available worldwide and printed photo delivery is available in the UK and Ireland.

Irish digital passport photo

The photo is prepared as a clear digital file for upload with the required portrait framing and image quality.

Manual photo review

Each submitted photo is reviewed for face visibility, expression, background, lighting and crop.

Digital and printed service

Choose a digital photo, printed photos or both with worldwide digital service and UK and Ireland print delivery.

Irish Passport Photo Questions and Answers

Find direct answers about Irish digital passport photo size, printed dimensions, Passport Card photos, paper applications, babies, backgrounds and Foxly Passport Photo Maker.

The digital photo must be at least 715 pixels wide and 951 pixels high. It must be a colour JPEG file and must not be larger than 9MB.

Printed Irish passport photos must measure 35 x 45 mm. The face and top of the shoulders should fill approximately 70% to 80% of the photograph.

A paper Passport Book application requires four identical printed photos. The application witness must write the form number and sign and stamp the back of two photos.

Yes. Passport Online requires a digital photo for both a Passport Book and Passport Card application. The image must meet the Irish digital passport photo specifications.

Yes. Ask another person to take the photo using a phone, tablet or camera. Do not take a selfie and do not use digital zoom. Use a plain light grey, white or cream background with even lighting.

No. Use a neutral expression with your mouth closed and look directly into the camera without tilting your head.

Clear glasses are accepted when the frame does not cover the eyes and there is no glare on the lenses. Dark glasses and sunglasses are not accepted.

Yes. Foxly Passport Photo Maker lets you upload your photo online, choose the Irish passport format and receive a manually reviewed digital photo. Printed delivery is also available in the UK and Ireland.