head 70–80 %no glasses
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceSecretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (SRE) and its embassies and consulates
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Mexico passport photo size is 35 × 45 mm. Plain white background. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, glasses prohibited. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
| Background | Plain white background. Make photo background white — Mexico passport → |
| Pose | Strictly full face, head without rotation or tilt, shoulders level. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Glasses not permitted. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows on the face and background not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing, shoulders visible, without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
For a Mexican passport the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) requires the applicant «to allow being photographed with the Secretariat's devices», and the rules say how the photograph is taken: «from the front, in colour, on a white background, the head uncovered and without garments or objects that partly or totally cover the face, including glasses» — the Embassy of Mexico in Spain adds that the digital photograph is taken on the appointment day, together with the biometric data, and the payment is made then. An older SRE page and a consulate form still describe printed photographs asked for «in an extraordinary manner»: «two passport-size photographs, without glasses, from the front, in colour with a white background, head uncovered, taken no more than 30 days before the application» — 3.5 × 4.5 cm on the consulate form. Glasses are thus out in both versions — the rule says «including glasses» and the printed version says «without glasses». A passport for an adult can be issued for 3, 6 or 10 years, chosen at the appointment.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Mexico passport applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (SRE) and its embassies and consulates publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| A photograph with glasses, a covered head, or garments or objects covering the face partly or totally | The face uncovered, no glasses, the head uncovered. |
| A photograph that is not from the front, not in colour or not on a white background | A front view in colour on a white background. |
| A printed photograph (when asked for) taken more than 30 days before the application | Two photographs taken in the last 30 days. |
| A printed photograph that is not passport size 3.5 × 4.5 cm | Two 3.5 × 4.5 cm photographs. |
How to take it
Background: plain white
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 70–80 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Glasses prohibited
Take them off before the shot.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glassesTake your glasses off — this document's rules require it.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
A Mexican passport is applied for in person with an appointment at an SRE delegation in Mexico or at a Mexican embassy or consulate abroad, where the photograph is taken.
sre.gob.mx — pasaportes; the website of the Mexican mission for your country
The photograph is taken at the appointment: front view, colour, white background, no glasses.
Authority page| Authority | Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (SRE) and its embassies and consulates |
|---|---|
| Source | Solicitud de pasaporte ordinario mexicano — requisitos y formato |
| Verified |
Questions
Usually not: the SRE or the consulate takes the digital photograph at your appointment; printed photographs are asked for only in extraordinary cases.
No: the rule asks for no garments or objects covering the face, including glasses.
Passport size, 3.5 × 4.5 cm on the consulate form, in colour on a white background, taken no more than 30 days before, two copies.
The recommended size for the Mexico passport photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 70–80% of the photo height.
Plain white background. No gradients, textures, shadows or objects behind the subject are permitted. The tool removes background shadows automatically, but starting with a flat, evenly lit wall gives the best result.
Yes. Stand in front of a flat white wall in good natural light, face the light source and use the rear camera of your phone with a 3-second timer. The tool handles the crop, background normalisation and compliance check against the Mexico biometric standard.
Most passport authorities require the photo to be taken within the last six months. Do not reuse an older portrait even if your appearance has not changed.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the photo is rejected by the Mexico authority and you supply the official rejection notice. See the refund policy page for the exact process.
Glasses not permitted. In practice, the biometric scanner at submission points flags even minor lens glare that looks fine to the naked eye. Removing glasses before shooting is the only option that eliminates the risk entirely.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
2 identical photographs, 35 × 45 mm each.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.