Your passport photos

You must provide two recent identical colour

photographs of yourself with your completed passport
application. One of these photographs must be
endorsed by your guarantor with the words “this is a
true photo of (insert name)” unless you are submitting
an application for a passport renewal using form PC7.
Photographs must be no more than six months old.
Warning: Unacceptable photos will delay the
processing of your application.
The following guidelines will help you provide
suitable photographs, so that your application
is not delayed by having to submit new photographs
in the required format.
45mm - 50mm

Max 36mm
Min 32mm

35mm - 40mm
1 washed out colour
 The basics:
>> 3 5-40mm wide and 45-50mm high
>> good quality colour on high quality paper,
with no ink or marks on the image
>> plain, light-coloured background (e.g. cream
or pale blue but not white)
>> appropriate brightness and contrast
and show your skin tones naturally
>> uniform lighting (no shadows across or
behind the face), sharp focus and clear.

hair across eyes/face eyes closed

not looking at camera

2 pixelated
 The photograph must:
>> s how head and top of shoulders close up, so that
the face measures between 32mm and 36mm
from the bottom of the chin to the crown (ie top
of head without hair)
>> show your shoulders square on (not looking over
shoulder)
>> show your face square on (edges of face visible)
>> show you looking straight at the camera
(not tilted head)

head tilted/portrait style

flash reflection on skin red eye

3 not a neutral expression

 >> b e taken with a neutral expression and your
mouth closed (not laughing or frowning)
>> show your eyes open and clearly visible,
(no hair in eyes).

Head coverings
The photograph must show you without any hat
or other head covering.

too close too far away

too dark too light

4 ink marked/creased
 However, if you wear a
head covering for religious
reasons we will accept a
photograph of you wearing
it, but your facial features
from bottom of chin to
top of forehead and both
edges of your face must
be clearly shown.
sunglasses on head

wearing a hat

full face not visible

5 face edges not visible

 Glasses
If you usually wear glasses, you do not have to wear
them for your passport photograph, but if you do:
>> they must show your eyes clearly
>> no flash reflection off the glasses
>> no tinted lenses
>> if possible avoid heavy framed glasses
>> frames should not cover any part of your eyes
>> lighter framed glasses are preferable (if possible).

heavy frames

lenses too dark reflection on lenses

6 frames covering eyes 7

 Children and babies
>> s how the baby or child awake, looking
straight at the camera with mouth closed
and no pacifier.
>> show both edges of the face clearly (no toys,
blankets, chair backs or other people visible)
and no hair across the eyes.

parent’s hand visible dark background

eyes closed looking away

7 mouth open/face covered

 shows another person

child’s toy visible

hair across eye

8 shadows behind head

Please safeguard your passport
Your Australian passport is valuable. It proves your identity
and shows your Australian citizenship. When travelling
overseas, it is often the only proof of identity that will
be accepted.
Remember to safeguard your passport at all times.
Please store it in the wallet provided to prevent damage.
Additional fees apply to replace lost or stolen passports.

Other brochures
>> A ustralian Passport
Information Service
>> Children and parental
consent
>> Client Service Charter
>> Have you changed your
name?
>> L ost or stolen passports
>> Passport fraud
>> Processing times and
priority service
>> Protecting your privacy
>> Renewing your passport
>> Review of decisions
>> Your ePassport

Further information
For copies of these brochures and further information about
passports, visit our website, www.passports.gov.au
or call 131 232 in Australia. If you are overseas, contact
an Australian diplomatic or consular mission.
For travel advice and practical information to help you prepare
for safe overseas travel, go to www.smartraveller.gov.au

© Commonwealth of Australia
Cover image depicts artwork from N Series Passport

Australian
Passport office
A secure, efficient and responsive
passport service for Australia July 2010