Preparing a large-format poster
Resolution, viewing distance, size: the rules are not the ones you use for A4.
ID photos: the official French standards
A rejected ID photo means starting the application again. The French rules are precise — and the mistakes are almost always the same.
Dimensions
35 × 45 mm. The face must measure between 32 and 36 mm from chin to crown, roughly 70 % of the height. Too far away or too tight and it is rejected.
Background
Plain, light, grey or light blue. Pure white is refused: it makes the outline of the face impossible to distinguish. No objects, no shadow cast behind the head.
The face
- Facing forward, looking at the lens, neutral expression, mouth closed
- Head uncovered — head coverings are not accepted, including religious ones
- Eyes visible and open, not covered by hair
- Even lighting, no reflection or shadow on the face
Glasses
Allowed if the frame is thin and the eyes remain perfectly visible. No reflection on the lenses. Tinted lenses are refused. In practice the safest option is to take them off.
Validity
The photo must be less than six months old and look like you now. It must be in perfect condition: not folded, scratched or marked.
The most common rejections
- Smiling or mouth slightly open
- Reflection on glasses
- White background instead of light grey
- Shadow behind the head from a flash too close to the wall
- Phone photo, badly cropped
In store
We take photos to ANTS standards for identity cards, passports, driving licences and residence permits. Framing is checked on the spot: you leave with compliant photos straight away.