Condensed guide. Read the full New Zealand passport requirements or the rejection diagnostic.
Specification
| Photo size | 35 × 46.7 mm (1.38 × 1.84 in) |
|---|---|
| Pixels at 300 / 600 dpi | 413 × 552 px / 827 × 1103 px |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 32–36 mm |
| Eye line from bottom | not specified |
| Head width | not specified |
| Space above the crown | not specified |
| Background | plain and light |
| Background editing | not allowed (retake instead) |
| Glasses | allowed only with no glare and frames clear of the eyes |
| Expression | neutral, mouth closed |
| Recency | taken in the last 6 months |
| Print requirements | photo paper, good quality print — Printed photos are only needed for a paper application. Scans of printed photos are not accepted online. |
| Digital upload | 1800×2400 px JPEG, 250–5 MB (NZ Passports online application); 827×1102 px JPEG (Printing for a paper application) |
| Self-taken photos | accepted |
| Prints needed | 2 |
| Infant rules | eyes open, mouth may be open (under 1) |
| Official source | Te Tari Taiwhenua – Passport photos |
Check the official source. Some values on this page could not be confirmed from the official page when it was last checked (2026-10-28).
- Digital rules verified: 3:4 ratio, JPEG, 250 KB–5 MB, 900–4500 px wide, 1200–6000 px high, under 6 months old. Head-height band for the printed 35×45 mm photo (32–36 mm) was not on the page fetched.
- The 3:4 digital ratio means the frame is slightly taller than a printed 35×45 mm photo; the tool uses 35×46.7 mm so the same crop works for both.
Can I take it myself? Yes
Yes. The official page says you can use a professional service or take a photo with your own device, and it even publishes iPhone and Samsung video guides. The two rules it is strict about are that selfies are rejected (someone else must hold the phone 1.5 metres away) and that the image must not be edited, filtered or altered by AI.
Why NZ passport photos get rejected
- Selfie or taken too close. Have someone take it from 1.5 metres with the shoulders in frame, then crop. Distortion is a frequent rejection.
- Head too large or too small in the frame. Leave a clear gap above the head and at the sides. The checker here targets the 32–36 mm head band on a 35×47 mm frame.
- Shadows behind the head. Stand half a metre from the wall and face the light.
- Background not plain or low contrast. Use a light wall that contrasts with your hair; avoid white tops against a white wall.
- Glasses with glare or thick frames. Take them off, or use thin frames with no reflection and a gap between frame and eye.
NZ passport photo FAQ
Can I take a NZ passport photo on my phone?
Yes. Te Tari Taiwhenua allows photos taken with your own device as long as someone else takes it from 1.5 metres away and nothing is edited.
What are the digital photo requirements?
Colour JPEG in 3:4 ratio, 250 KB to 5 MB, 900–4500 pixels wide and 1200–6000 pixels high, less than six months old.
Why was my photo rejected as a selfie?
Photos taken at arm's length distort the face. Step back, include the shoulders and crop afterwards.
Can I wear glasses?
Prescription glasses are allowed if they are not tinted or thick-framed, there is a gap between frames and eyes, and there is no glare. Sunglasses are not allowed.
Is there an official photo checker?
Yes, linked from the passports.govt.nz photo page. Use it as the final check after this tool; it runs the same technical limits.
Can I use a scan of a printed photo?
No. Scans of printed photos are rejected for online applications. Use the original digital image.
Related documents
Last verified 2026-10-28 against Te Tari Taiwhenua – Passport photos. Spotted a mistake? Report an error.