Everything you need to know about Israel Teudat Zehut (תעודת זהות / national identity card) photo requirements, including exact dimensions, biometric standards, white background rules, and how to take a compliant Israeli ID card photo at home.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Israel (ישראל) |
| Document Type | ID Card / Teudat Zehut (תעודת זהות / Biometric) |
| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Digital Photo Size | 826 × 1062 pixels (at 600 DPI) |
| Head Size | ~32 mm from chin to top of head (approximately 70% of photo) |
| Top Margin | Approximately 5 mm from top of photo to top of hair |
| Background Color | Plain white or light-colored, uniform |
| Printable | Yes — on high-quality photo paper |
| Digital for Online Submission | Yes — JPEG format |
| Color | Color only (black and white not accepted) |
| Recency | Recent photo (reflecting current appearance) |
The Israeli Teudat Zehut (תעודת זהות) is the national identity card issued by the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA). Since 2013, Israel issues biometric Teudat Zehut cards with an embedded smart chip.
Glasses are NOT permitted. Remove all eyewear including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses.
Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Israel Teudat Zehut photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera can take an ID card-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and set to the highest resolution. Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo.
Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight. Use multiple light sources to eliminate shadows on your face.
Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and white tops. If you wear religious head coverings, keep them on as long as your full face and forehead remain visible. Tuck hair behind ears.
Stand about 1.2 meters in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level.
Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes open, mouth closed. No smiling or exaggerated expressions.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable ID card photos
An Israel Teudat Zehut (ID card) photo must be exactly 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) in portrait orientation. Your head should occupy approximately 70% of the photograph.
When applying at a PIBA office inside Israel, your photo is captured digitally on-site during biometric enrollment — no printed photo is needed. If applying at an Israeli embassy abroad, you may need to provide printed photos. Check with the specific embassy.
No. Glasses are not permitted in Israeli biometric ID card photos. Remove all eyewear including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses.
The background must be plain white or light-colored, uniform, with no shadows, patterns, or objects visible.
Yes! Upload your photo to PassportPhoto.help and our AI will automatically crop to 35×45mm, remove the background, and ensure it meets all biometric requirements.
Head coverings are only permitted for religious reasons. Your full face from chin to forehead must remain visible, and your forehead must be uncovered to show the shape of your face.
The Teudat Zehut (תעודת זהות) is the Israeli national identity card. Since 2013, Israel issues biometric Teudat Zehut cards with an embedded smart chip storing facial features and fingerprints, issued by the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA).
