51×51 mm Rules checked Oct 17, 2026 Italian passport photo: size, rules and free sizer
An Italian passport photo is 51 × 51 mm, printed. The head, from chin to crown, is 25–35 mm. Plain white. No glasses. Taken within the last 6 months. Size yours free with PassportOwl; we don't guarantee this Italy document yet.
- Cropped to the official 51×51 mm and checked against the rules
- Free download, no payment
- Not guaranteed yet: join the waitlist below for the guaranteed version
Top of head Chin Italian passport photo requirements
From the official source. We check each one on your photo.
| Photo size | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Head size | 1 to 1 3/8 in (25–35 mm), chin to top of head (our crop target; no official rule) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Colour, on matte or glossy photo paper | |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open |
| Head covering | Religious only; chin to forehead visible |
| Taken | In the last 6 months |
Rules to know
- 2x2 in, two identical photos
- Face no taller than 35 mm and no wider than 30 mm
- Glasses rules vary by consulate; take them off
- Mouth closed, not smiling
Source: Passport - Consulate General of Italy in Houston , Photo and ICAO requirements (PDF) - Consulate General of Italy in Houston , Passport - Consulate General of Italy in New York . Checked Oct 17, 2026. PassportOwl is not affiliated with any government.
How to take an Italian passport photo at home
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Find a plain wall
The background rule is: plain white. Stand a step or two in front of the wall, not against it, so your shadow does not fall on it.
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Use soft, even light
Face a window in daylight or a soft lamp, so both sides of your face are lit the same. Avoid light from above or behind you, which makes shadows on the face.
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Hold the camera at eye level
Hold the phone straight, at eye level and about an arm’s length away, or ask someone to take it. The owl guide on screen tells you when your head is straight, centred and the right size.
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Keep a neutral face
Look straight at the camera with your mouth closed and both eyes open. Do not smile. Take your glasses off: they are not allowed. Head coverings: religious only; chin to forehead visible.
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Size it free
We crop the photo to 51×51 mm, with the head at 25–35 mm from chin to top of head (our crop target), free. We do not guarantee this document yet, so compare it with the official rules before you use it.
Good and bad photo examples
20 common reasons an Italian passport photo gets rejected. Tap any example to see why.
A good photo
Sharp and in color, with even light and no shadows. The head is straight, facing the camera and the right size, on a plain white background.
How to fix:
We check this on your photo:
Example photos, generated; not real people.
Common reasons for rejection
The free sizer checks each one.
- A print that is not exactly 51 × 51 mm, or that was cut unevenly.
- The head too small or too large. We crop to 25–35 mm from chin to top of head.
- A background that does not match the rule: plain white.
- Shadows on the face or on the wall behind you.
- Glasses of any kind.
- A smile, an open mouth or closed eyes.
- A photo that is too old: it must be taken in the last 6 months.
- An edited photo: filters, beauty modes, smoothing or a replaced background change how you look. We never retouch photos; we only crop and size them.
Printing your Italian passport photo
Your download includes a 4 × 6 inch print sheet with 51 × 51 mm photos and cut lines. Print it as a standard 4 × 6 photo at any photo counter (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and others) or on a home photo printer, on matte or glossy photo paper, at 100% size with any crop or fill option turned off.
You need 2 photos for the application. Cut along the lines with a ruler and a sharp blade or scissors, and do not fold or staple the photo over the face.
Get the guaranteed version
We guarantee US photos today. Leave your email and we'll write once, when the Italian passport is checked and guaranteed.
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Questions
What size is an Italian passport photo?
51×51 mm (51 × 51 mm). The head, from chin to crown, is 25–35 mm.
Can I use a US passport photo for my Italian passport?
Often yes: both are 2 × 2 inches. Check the head size and background rules above, which can differ.
Is the sized photo free?
Yes. Take or upload a photo and we crop it to these measurements and check it against the rules, free. You can download it without paying.
Is it guaranteed?
Not yet: we couldn't confirm every rule on the official page. Join the waitlist and we'll email you once when the Italian passport is checked and guaranteed.
Can I wear glasses?
No glasses.
What background does an Italian passport photo need?
Plain white. Stand a step or two away from a plain wall and use soft, even light so there are no shadows behind you.
Can I smile in my Italian passport photo?
No. Keep a neutral face with your mouth closed and both eyes open.
Can I wear a hijab or other head covering in my Italian passport photo?
Religious only; chin to forehead visible.
How recent must my Italian passport photo be?
Taken in the last 6 months, and it should look like you do now.
How many photos do I need for an Italian passport?
2 photos, according to the official source. Check your application form, because some offices ask for more.
