Complete Russia Internal Passport, 35x45 mm (3.5x4.5 cm) Requirements for RU - Expert Tips

Requirements

• Photo size: 35×45 mm (width 35 mm, height 45 mm) printed on high-quality matte or glossy photographic paper
• Head dimensions: top of hair to chin measuring 25–32 mm with a 3–5 mm margin from the top edge of the photo
• Background: uniform light-colored (white, light gray or pale blue) without shadows, patterns or textures
• Pose & expression: full-face, front view, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and directly facing the camera
• Lighting: even, diffused illumination with no shadows on face or background, no overexposure or red-eye
• Glasses: permitted only with thin, dark frames and clear lenses, no glare, reflections or tinted/colored lenses
• Headwear: allowed only for religious reasons, but must not obscure face or cast shadows, ears and jawline fully visible
• Attire: everyday clothes without uniforms, camouflage, busy patterns or large logos; avoid white tops that blend into background
• Photo quality: sharp focus, high resolution (min. 600 dpi print), no digital retouching altering natural features, no creases, stains or marks
• Photo currency: taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance
• Signature & placement: affix portrait-orientation photo to passport page and have applicant sign across bottom edge overlapping photo and page

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Ensure exact dimensions – set or crop your digital image to 35 × 45 mm (5 × 5 cm) with the head height between 32–36 mm and shoulder width 23–28 mm, centered vertically and horizontally.
• Second step: Choose and prepare the background – use a uniform light gray or off-white backdrop with even lighting to eliminate shadows, glare, or reflections.
• Third step: Position head and face – face the camera straight on, keep eyes level and looking directly at the lens, maintain a neutral expression with mouth closed, no smiling or frowning.
• Fourth step: Select attire and remove accessories – wear plain, everyday clothing (avoid uniforms and busy patterns), remove hats, scarves, and eyeglasses with visible frames unless medically or religiously required, ensuring eyes remain fully visible.
• Fifth step: Style hair for full-face visibility – comb or pin hair away from the forehead, eyebrows, and ears so the entire face—from chin to top of head—is clearly visible without obstruction.
• Sixth step: Capture and review image quality – use a high-resolution camera (≥600 dpi), ensure focus is sharp with natural skin tones, no red-eye, blurring, or digital noise; save as JPEG or PNG at maximum quality.
• Seventh step: Print on proper photo paper – output two identical prints on matte or semi-matte professional photo paper sized 35 × 45 mm, with consistent color and no ink streaks or edge cuts.
• Eighth step: Verify against official checklist – measure physical prints with a ruler, compare head and frame ratios, confirm background and lighting compliance on gosuslugi.ru or at your local MFC (Многофункциональный центр).
• Ninth step: Submit and retain copies – hand in two compliant prints with your internal passport application; keep the original digital file and a spare printed set in case of rejection or further requests.

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact dimensions: Crop your photo precisely to 35×45 mm using a ruler or template to meet official size rules and avoid instant rejection
• Correct head placement: Ensure your head occupies 70–80% of the height (32–36 mm chin-to-crown) with eyes 10–14 mm below the top edge to satisfy biometric positioning and prevent disqualification
• Uniform background: Choose a plain white or light grey backdrop free of shadows or textures for optimal contrast, as any background irregularities lead to refusal
• Balanced, glare-free lighting: Use soft, diffused frontal lighting to eliminate shadows and reflections on glasses, ensuring all facial features are visible for acceptance
• Neutral expression & attire: Maintain a closed-mouth, relaxed face, keep hair away from eyes, and remove hats or tinted glasses (unless for religious reasons), as deviations from these rules will result in non-acceptance

Conclusion

Conclusion:

• Photo dimensions: exactly 35×45 mm (5×5 cm) with 70–80 % of the frame occupied by the head and upper shoulders
• Face position: centered and full-face view with the top of the head 2–5 mm below the upper frame edge
• Background: uniform light grey (R 192–224) with no shadows, patterns or objects
• Expression and appearance: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, no tinted eyewear or headgear (exceptions for religious reasons, with full facial visibility)
• Image quality: high-resolution color image on matte paper, no creases, tears or ink marks
• Recency and certification: taken within the last 6 months and certified by a professional photographer or photo studio to meet official standards

Adhering to these requirements ensures your Russian internal passport application proceeds smoothly without delays or rejections.