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Taking the right passport photo is essential for a successful Irish passport application. Poor-quality photos are one of the main reasons applications get delayed or rejected by the Irish Passport Service. With ÉirePassports, you don’t need to risk rejection — we review your digital photo before submission to make sure it meets the official requirements.
📸 Can I Take My Irish Passport Photo at Home?
Yes, you can take your passport photo at home using a smartphone, tablet, or camera. But the photo must meet strict rules:
- Do not take a selfie — someone else must take the photo.
- It must be in colour, with no filters or retouching.
- The photo must be less than 6 months old.
- Lighting must be even, with no shadows or red-eye.
💻 Digital Photo Requirements
Your digital passport photo must meet the following technical requirements:
- Format: JPEG
- Size: Minimum 715 pixels wide by 951 pixels high
- File size: No larger than 9MB
- Quality: No compression artefacts, distortion, or filters
👤 Pose, Expression, and Head Position
The image must clearly show your head and shoulders with these conditions:
- Face the camera directly, with your head centred and level
- Neutral expression — no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows
- Eyes open and clearly visible
- Mouth closed
- Hair must not cover your eyes
- Glasses are allowed but must not cause glare or obscure your eyes
- Religious head coverings are allowed, but your facial features must remain visible
🎨 Background and Lighting
Your background must be:
- Plain white, cream, or light grey
- Free of patterns, doors, shadows, or other objects
Lighting must be:
- Even on the face and background
- Free from shadows, especially around eyes and neck
- Natural daylight or soft artificial light (no harsh flash)
🧒 Child and Baby Passport Photo Guidelines
For children under 3, the rules are adjusted but photos must still meet biometric standards:
- Lay babies on a white surface such as a sheet or blanket
- No hands, arms, or dummies/soothers visible
- Eyes open if possible
- Neutral expression preferred
❌ Common Photo Mistakes That Delay Applications
Avoid these issues that commonly cause rejections:
- Taking a selfie or using a zoomed-in image
- Red-eye, shadows, or uneven lighting
- Glasses glare or hidden eyes
- Smiling, frowning, or tilting your head
- Busy backgrounds
- Using filters or apps that alter your appearance
✅ How ÉirePassports Helps
Instead of worrying whether your photo meets the official rules, let us do it for you.
- We review every photo before submission
- Guarantee it meets official requirements
- Save you from delays, stress, and resubmissions
👉 Apply with ÉirePassports today — get your application right the first time.
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