A passport is a very important legal document and getting a passport in India is not always easy. Documenting things in the correct way is essential here. Moreover, this document is also vetted by the officials before they are issued to the applicant.

So, it is necessary for you to arrange all the documents and keep them in order before, you apply for the passport. A very important thing that you would need when you are applying for a passport is a professional passport-size photograph. Photos required for passport should be in the correct format.

Do we need to carry or update photos for passport renewal?

Yes, all the applicants need to carry two colored photographs of size 4.5cmx3.5 cm. This photo should be set against a white background. The applicants should also affix the photo on the first page of the application form which does not have any stamp or signature.

Can we change or update the photo from the passport (the size of the photo and the format) when applying for a passport online?

If you want to change the photo in the existing passport, you will have to choose the reissue passport option that is there on the website. In case, you want to find out the documents that were submitted with the application form, you will have to click on the documents advisor link that is there on the home page.

Can we use photo captured by phone when applying for passport?

The picture that you take for your passport has to be sharp, bright and should also be able to reproduce a detailed image.
Photo lighting plays a crucial role when you are trying to take a photograph for your passport. If the photo does not have proper lighting, it will not be accepted by the passport office.
Next, you will have to take care of the framing and the positioning of the photo. This is because if the photos are not positioned correctly, it will affect the shadows and the lighting. If you want to avoid shadows in the background, you will have to stand at least half a meter away from the background.
Background in the passport photo is a very important element. It is important that you take the photo against a plain background. The colors that are mostly accepted as the background are cream, white and light grey. The backgrounds that are not acceptable are the tiles, patterns, or any other objects

The exact number of photographs you need when applying for the passport

If you are applying for your passport or your visa, you will need two photos for each successful passport application.
You cannot use any black and white, old photographs, or filtered photographs. You should also ensure that you print the pictures on high-quality paper. The pictures should also not be crinkled, creased, or torn. Make sure that the picture is free from scratches and dust. Moreover, color or design backgrounds will not be accepted.

If you wear glasses that have thick frames, you will have to remove them for the photo. If the photo that you submit for your passport application is reflected, the application will be rejected due to the photo.
There should not be eviting red eye and you should not wear any kind of headwear when taking the photograph.
The hair should not obstruct the visibility of your face.
There should be clarity, focus, and illumination that are crucial.

Know the photo size you would require when applying for an Indian passport

There is a specific size fixed for the passport photos.When you are submitting photo for the India passport, it needs to be 2 x 2 inch, 35 x 45 mm, or 35 x 35 mm (5 x 5 cm, 3.5 x 4.5 cm, 3.5 x 3.5 cm).

What are the requirements for the photos when you are applying for an Indian passport?

The guidelines for the documents of the Indian passport are governed by strict rules and this is also the case with passport photos.

The color of the background for the passport photo can be either white or off-white.
It is important for the person to look into the camera directly. You cannot pose or your head cannot be tilted.
The eyes of the person should be wide open in the photograph.
The photos that you take should not have shadows. Also, make sure that your face is not covered with shadow.

Size of the Indian passport photo when applying abroad

These days the consulates have combined the process of the passport application along with the Global passport seva project. When you carry the hard copy of the application, you should also attach a printed copy of the photos. The size of the photos is 5.1 cm x 5.1 cm (2-inch x 2 inches). There might be variations of the photo sizes. These may be 5.1 cm, 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm.

What do the babies, infants, and newborns require when they are applying for a passport?

Photographing children and infants can be a little difficult. So the government of India allows some sort of relaxation for the photos of children. The babies who are less than 1 year old need not keep their eyes open. There is also a bit of relaxation given to the eye position, face position, and height.

There is also a bit of relaxation given in the facial expression of a child. Take the photo from the front and make sure that the photo that you have taken is clear. The photo should just include the child and there should not be any external objects like toys, chairs backs, etc. in the background. The child has to look into the camera having a natural expression and his/her mouth should be closed.

Getting photos when applying for an Indian passport online

Technology has advanced a lot in the last decade. Therefore, taking passport-size photographs has become much easier and to get it you will not have to go to a photo studio. These days, you will come across several websites that will allow you to take photos. The biggest advantage of getting a passport photo online is that you are able to get professional photos absolutely free. If required, you can edit or even crop the photos by yourself. The users can also take several pictures in different print sizes.

How much do you have to pay for getting a photo of your passport?

The most common alternative these days is to get the passport photo done online. This is quite a faster and cheaper option. If you are taking the photo from the passport agency, the cost will vary between 500 and 700 rupees.

Indian passport photo format

The Indian photos are available in 2 sizes:

2×2 inch photo
35×45 mm photo for baby passport

The Indian adult’s passport photo should include the head from the top hair to the chin. They are very strict about the size of the head. The eye height has to be between 1-1/8 inches and 1-3/8 (28 mm to 35 mm). If the photo is 35×45 mm photos, the height of the head should occupy 70-80% of the photo height. The Indian passport photo proportions vary in the case of children and infants under the age of 4 years and here the face of the child should take up to as much as 80 to 85% of the photos.

Printing and the quality of the paper

As per the passport photo guide for India, there are two types of printing allowed- one is conventional and the other is digital. You have the option of printing the passport photographs on thin photo paper or on a pasteboard.

Conclusion

The article contains all the details about the formats of the photographs that can be used while applying for a passport. The photograph is very important when one is trying to apply for a passport. You should, therefore, keep the photographs handy.