Ukraine International Passport (Child Information) Photo Size Requirements for UA (2025 Update)

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: 35 × 45 mm (width × height) printed on high-quality photo paper without borders
• Head size: 32–36 mm measured from the bottom of chin to the top of the head (hair included)
• Top margin: 3–5 mm space between the top of the head and upper edge of the photo
• Background: plain light-grey to white, evenly lit with no shadows, patterns or objects
• Pose and framing: child’s full face and shoulders facing forward, head centered, ears and hairline fully visible
• Expression: neutral face with mouth closed, eyes open and looking directly at the camera, no exaggerated smiles
• Eye level: camera positioned at child’s eye level to avoid tilting or distortion
• Glasses: not recommended; if medically necessary, use frameless lenses only, no glare or reflections, eyes fully visible
• Head coverings: prohibited except for religious reasons, in which case face must remain fully visible from forehead to chin
• Photo age: taken within the last 6 months, accurately reflecting the child’s current appearance
• Paper and finish: color photo printed on smooth matte or glossy paper, minimum 300 dpi resolution, no creases or ink marks
• Digital versions (if accepted): uncompressed JPEG, 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 dpi, color space sRGB, file size 50–500 KB

Step-by-Step Process

• Prepare the shooting environment: Choose a plain light-gray or white background and position two soft light sources at 45° angles to eliminate shadows; maintain consistent indoor lighting to prevent glare and ensure uniform color.
• Set up your camera or smartphone: Mount it on a tripod at the child’s eye level, 5–2 meters away; select a high resolution (at least 12 MP) and enable a grid overlay to center the subject.
• Position the child correctly: Seat or stand the child against the background, with their shoulders straight, head centered, looking directly at the lens, eyes open and mouth closed; gently hold hair back so the forehead is fully visible.
• Capture multiple shots: Use continuous-shoot mode to record 5–10 images; review each for focus, natural skin tone, neutral expression, and absence of shadows, reflections, toys or other objects.
• Select the best image: Choose a sharp, color-accurate shot where the child’s full head (including hair) and upper shoulders are visible and evenly lit.
• Crop to 35 × 45 mm at 600 dpi: Using a photo-editing tool, set canvas size to 35 × 45 mm and resolution to 600 dpi; position the child so the head (chin to crown) measures 28–33 mm and the top margin (photo edge to top of hair) is 2–6 mm.
• Verify head and eye placement: Confirm that the eye line is 5–19 mm from the bottom edge; adjust cropping if necessary to meet these Ukrainian specifications exactly.
• Adjust color and exposure only if needed: Fine-tune brightness or contrast to match natural skin tones, but do not retouch facial features or remove blemishes—any editing beyond basic exposure may trigger rejection.
• Export as high-quality JPEG: Save the image in sRGB color space at maximum quality (minimum 1 MB file size) with no compression artifacts; filename should clearly identify the child (e.g., Smith_Jane_UApass.jpg).
• Print two identical copies: Use professional glossy photo paper, a calibrated printer or certified photo lab, and print at true 35 × 45 mm with no borders; inspect prints for color fidelity, sharpness, and correct dimensions.
• Final compliance check: Measure prints with a ruler to ensure 35 × 45 mm overall size, head height 28–33 mm, top margin 2–6 mm; confirm background is uniform and eyes are level—only then attach to the passport application.

Tips and Best Practices

• Precise Photo Dimensions: Always crop photos to exactly 35×45 mm with no borders to meet Ukraine’s child passport standards and prevent automatic rejection at border control
• Correct Head-to-Photo Ratio: Position the child’s head (top of hair to chin) at 32–36 mm high, centering eyes 18–25 mm below the top so biometric readers capture facial features accurately and avoid retakes
• Uniform White Background: Use a smooth, neutral white background with no shadows or textures to pass Ukraine’s digital scanning protocols and save time on costly reprints
• High-Resolution Print Quality: Print on professional photo paper at a minimum of 600 dpi to eliminate pixelation or blurring that Ukrainian authorities flag during quality checks and avoid visa delays
• Natural Expression and Clear View: Ensure the child has a neutral expression, eyes fully open, mouth closed, no hair obscuring the face, and remove glasses or accessories to comply with facial recognition requirements and prevent manual rejections

Conclusion

In conclusion, meeting Ukraine’s child passport photo requirements is crucial to avoid delays or rejections.

• Dimensions: 35 × 45 mm portrait format with 2–6 mm space above the crown
• Head size and position: crown-to-chin height 32–36 mm, eyes positioned about 25 mm from the bottom
• Background: uniform light color (white or cream), free of shadows, patterns, or textures
• Expression and pose: full-face view, neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, head centered
• Accessories: no hats, headgear, or glasses (unless for documented medical or religious reasons)
• Photo quality: taken within the last 6 months, high-resolution color print on matte or glossy paper, without creases, tears, or marks

Adhering to these specifications ensures your child’s international passport application proceeds smoothly and without unnecessary setbacks.