Everything you need to know about Ukrainian ID card (Картка громадянина України) photo requirements, including exact dimensions, background color, pose rules, and how to take a compliant national identity card photo at home.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Ukraine (Україна) |
| Document Type | ID Card (Картка громадянина України) |
| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm / 1.38 × 1.77 inches) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Head Size | 31–36 mm from chin to crown (70–80% of photo) |
| Background Color | White or plain light-colored |
| Printable | Yes — on matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Digital Photo Size | 826 × 1062 pixels at 600 DPI |
| Photo Paper Type | Matte photographic paper |
| Color | Color only (black and white not accepted) |
| Number of Photos | 2 identical photos |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Card Validity | 4 years (ages 14–18) / 10 years (ages 18+) |
The State Migration Service of Ukraine (Державна міграційна служба України) issues the national identity card, known as the Картка громадянина України (Passport of the Citizen of Ukraine in card form). Since January 2016, this biometric ID card has been replacing the old internal passport booklet. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.
Glasses are NOT allowed in Ukrainian ID card photos. You must remove all eyewear, including sunglasses and tinted glasses, before taking the photo. Spectacles with toned or reflecting lenses are strictly prohibited.
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Ukrainian ID card photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.) is more than capable of taking an ID card-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and the camera is set to the highest resolution.
Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you. Selfies tend to have the wrong angle and distortion.
Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows. If using indoor lighting, use multiple light sources from different angles to eliminate shadows.
Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and white tops that blend with the background. If you wear religious head coverings daily, you may keep them on as long as your full face is visible.
Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes or cast shadows on your face.
Stand about 1.5 meters (5 feet) in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted. Ensure your entire face from chin to forehead is visible.
Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. No smiling — the Ukrainian biometric ID card requires a strictly neutral expression for facial recognition purposes.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable ID card photos
A Ukraine ID card photo must be exactly 35×45 mm (3.5×4.5 cm or 1.38×1.77 inches). Your head must measure 31–36 mm from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head, occupying 70–80% of the photograph.
The Картка громадянина України is the national identity card that replaced the old internal passport booklet (1994 series). Introduced in January 2016, it is a credit card-sized plastic card with a contactless biometric microchip. It is issued to all Ukrainian citizens aged 14 and older and is valid for 4 years (ages 14–18) or 10 years (ages 18+).
No. Glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses are not permitted in Ukrainian ID card photos. You must remove all eyewear before taking the photo. Spectacles with toned or reflecting lenses are strictly prohibited.
No. Ukraine requires a neutral facial expression with both eyes open and your mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, or exaggerated expressions. This is required for the biometric facial recognition system embedded in the ID card chip.
Yes! You can take your ID card photo with any smartphone. Simply upload it to PassportPhoto.help and our AI will automatically crop, resize, remove the background, and ensure it meets all official Ukraine ID card photo requirements.
The Ukraine ID card is valid for 4 years for citizens aged 14–18, and 10 years for citizens aged 18 and older. When the card expires, you need to apply for a new one with a new photo.
No, head coverings are not allowed unless worn daily for religious purposes. Even then, your full face must be clearly visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, and the head covering must not cast shadows on your face.
The background must be plain white or light-colored (off-white or light grey). No patterns, objects, shadows, or other people should be visible. Our tool will automatically replace your background with white if needed.
