SAN MARINO PASSPORT PHOTO REQUIREMENTS AT A GLANCE
Follow these key rules to make sure your photo is accepted.
DIMENSIONS
Photo size: Photo size: 35 × 45 mm
Head size: Head size: 32 – 36 mm
FACE POSITION & SIZE
Keep your head centered with even space around.
BACKGROUND
Important Note
San Marino passport photos must be taken within the last 6 months. Ensure a plain white or light gray background, glasses not permitted, and exact 35 × 45 mm sizing.
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Quick reference: San Marino passport photo specifications
Before submitting your application via the Italian passport portal for San Marino, ensure your photo meets every parameter in this table.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (1200 × 1600 px @ 300 DPI) |
| Face height (chin to crown) | 71–80% of frame height (32 – 36 mm) |
| San Marino passport submission | Digital upload (JPEG format) |
| File size limit | 70 KB – 2 MB |
| Background | White or Light Gray, plain, shadow-free |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Not permitted (medical exception only) |
| Ears visibility | Ears not required to be visible; face edges must be clear |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Colour | Full colour — no black & white |
| Paper lodgement note | Physical printed photos (35 × 45 mm) are required if lodging a paper passport application. |
Official San Marino passport photo dimensions
San Marino follows Italian Schengen passport photo requirements. Photos must be exactly 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Your face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (crown) must occupy between 70% and 80% of the total photo height, which corresponds to approximately 31–36 mm. The face must be centred within the frame both horizontally and vertically.
Important Note for San Marino
San Marino passport photo size in mm, cm, and inches
| Unit | Width | Height | Face height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixels (Digital upload) | 1200 px | 1600 px | 1136–1280 px (71–80%) |
| Millimetres (mm) | 35 mm | 45 mm | 32 – 36 mm |
| Centimetres (cm) | 3.5 cm | 4.5 cm | 3.2–3.6 cm |
| Inches (in) | 1.38 in | 1.77 in | 1.26–1.42 in |
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Print vs. digital: what changes between paper and online applications?
If you apply online for an Italian passport (for San Marino), you upload a single digital JPEG file. If you attend an appointment at an Italian embassy or consulate, you will usually be required to bring two identical printed photos. The face position, expression, and background rules are identical for both — only the output format differs.
| Aspect | Print (paper form) | Digital (Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 35 mm wide × 45 mm high | 1200 × 1600 px preferred (35 × 45 mm) |
| Format | Colour print (photo paper) | JPEG (.jpg / .jpeg) |
| File size | N/A | 70 KB – 2 MB |
| Quantity | 2 identical photos (paper forms) | 1 digital file upload |
| Paper type | Glossy or semi-matte photo paper | N/A (Digital upload) |
| Ink type | High quality colour print | N/A |
Background requirements for San Marino passport photos
The background must be plain, uniform, and shadow-free. Light grey is the standard Italian/Schengen colour and is strongly recommended. White may be accepted. The background must clearly contrast with your hair, face, and clothing. Dark, coloured, patterned, or textured backgrounds will be rejected.
Do not use a background removal tool to digitally replace a coloured wall. Italian passport processing can detect composite images. Shoot in front of a genuinely plain, light-coloured surface. Even lighting is critical to avoid shadows.
Face position, expression, and lighting requirements
Your face must be centred in the frame, looking directly at the camera lens with your head level and upright — not tilted, not turned, chin neither raised nor lowered. Both sides of your face must be equally visible. Hair must not cover your eyes, eyebrows, or the edges of your face. Your eyes must be fully open and directed at the lens. Your mouth must be closed with a neutral, relaxed expression — no smile, no frown, no raised eyebrows.
Lighting must be even and diffused across the entire face. No harsh shadows should appear on your face — including under the chin, beside the nose, or in the eye sockets — or on the background behind you. Avoid direct flash.
Glasses policy for San Marino passport photos
Glasses are permitted in Italian/Schengen passport photos, but with strict conditions. Frames must be thin and not cover any part of your eyes. Lenses must be completely free of glare, reflections, or shadows. It is much safer to remove your glasses to avoid rejection.
Sunglasses, tinted lenses, and thick fashion frames are never permitted.
San Marino passport photo checklist: do's and don'ts
Review these requirements carefully before uploading to the Italian passport portal for your San Marino application.
Do
- Use a plain, uniform background — light grey or white are acceptable
- Ensure your face is centred, forward-facing, and fully visible from chin to crown
- Keep your eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera lens
- Maintain a neutral, relaxed expression with your mouth closed
- Use even, diffused lighting with no harsh shadows on your face or background
- Include the tops of both shoulders and the base of the neck in the frame
- Ensure hair does not obscure your eyes, eyebrows, or the edges of your face
- Submit a JPEG file between 20 KB and 2 MB for online submissions
- Have the photo taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
- Wear everyday clothing that contrasts well with the light background
Don't
- Smile, frown, tilt or turn your head, or allow your eyes to be partially closed
- Use a dark, coloured, patterned, or textured background — only light grey/white is accepted
- Retouch, filter, adjust brightness/contrast, or digitally alter the photo in any way
- Submit a scanned photo or a picture of a printed photo
- Upload a JPEG file above 2 MB or below 20 KB to the online portal
- Wear hats, caps, or fashion headwear (religious/medical head coverings permitted under conditions)
- Allow hair, large jewellery, or accessories to cover your eyes or face
- Use a photo older than 6 months
- Use a black-and-white, sepia, or heavily compressed image
- Wear glasses with thick frames or that cause glare/reflections on the lenses
How to take a correct San Marino passport photo at home (step-by-step)
Following these six steps will produce a photo that meets Italian Schengen requirements for San Marino passport applications.
Set up a light grey or white background
Stand or sit in front of a plain, uniformly coloured wall or surface that is light grey or white. The background must be shadow-free with no patterns, textures, folds, or objects. Light grey (Italian standard) is preferred, but white may be accepted.
Set up balanced, diffused lighting
Use natural daylight from a large window, or two balanced artificial lights at equal height and distance on either side of your face. Avoid direct flash, which creates harsh highlights, red-eye, and shadows. Soft, even lighting is crucial for a uniform background and a well-lit face.
Position your head and body correctly
Face the camera directly with your head level and upright — not tilted, not turned. Your chin should be neither raised nor lowered. Both sides of your face should be equally visible. Your shoulders and the base of your neck should appear at the bottom of the frame. Position yourself approximately 45–60 cm from the camera.
Take the photo
Open your eyes fully and look directly into the lens. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed — no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows. If you wear glasses, consider removing them to avoid glare. Ask someone else to take the photo for better framing and sharpness.
Crop and size the image
For paper submissions, crop to exactly 35 × 45 mm at 300 DPI minimum, ensuring the face occupies 70–80% of the height. For online submissions via the Italian passport portal, export as a JPEG file between 20 KB and 2 MB. Resize or compress the image if necessary.
Check before submitting
Verify the background is plain light grey/white and shadow-free, your expression is neutral, eyes are fully open, the face occupies 70–80% of the frame, hair does not obscure the face, there is no glare on glasses, and the JPEG file is between 20 KB and 2 MB before submitting.
Common San Marino passport photo rejection reasons in 2026
The Italian passport portal and embassy processing check biometric compliance, image quality, and file specifications.
Incorrect background colour
San Marino follows Italian Schengen standards. Light grey is preferred, though white may be accepted. Dark, coloured, patterned backgrounds or the presence of any shadows on the background or face will lead to rejection.
Non-neutral expression or head position
Smiling, open mouth, tilted head, head turned to the side, raised eyebrows, or partially closed eyes are detected by biometric checks. Your head must be level and upright, facing the camera directly.
Face proportion out of range
Your face from chin to crown must occupy 70–80% of the 45 mm photo height (approximately 31–36 mm). If your face is too small or too large, it will fail the automated proportion check.
File size or format incorrect
The Italian passport portal requires a JPEG file between 20 KB and 2 MB. Files outside this range will be rejected.
Glasses causing glare or with thick frames
While glasses are permitted, they frequently cause rejection if the frames are too thick or if there is glare, reflections, or shadows from the lenses on the face or eyes. It is often safer to remove glasses for the photo.
Scan of a printed photo
Uploading a scanned version of a printed photo, or a mobile phone photo taken of another photo, will fail quality checks.
Photo older than 6 months
The photo must be recent (taken within the last 6 months) and reflect your current appearance. Older photos will be rejected.
Hair or accessories obscuring the face
Hair covering the forehead, eyebrows, or eyes, and large earrings or accessories casting shadows on the face, are common causes of rejection.
San Marino passport photo requirements for babies and children
Children of all ages, including newborns, must have their own separate passport photo. For infants who cannot support their head, lay them on a plain light grey/white sheet and photograph from above.
For children aged 3 and over, all standard requirements apply: mouth closed, eyes open, neutral expression, plain light background. Some flexibility on expression is extended to very young infants.
Religious head coverings in San Marino passport photos
Religious head coverings are permitted provided they are worn daily for religious reasons and your full face remains clearly visible.
Fashion hats, caps, and decorative headwear are not permitted.
Official sources
These pages are the authoritative references.
Frequently asked questions: San Marino passport photo 2026
What is the San Marino passport photo size requirement in 2026?
San Marino follows Italian Schengen passport standards. The photo must be 35 mm wide by 45 mm high. Your face from chin to crown must occupy 70 to 80 percent of the photo height (approx. 31–36 mm). The background should be plain light grey (preferred) or white. For online applications, submit a JPEG file between 20 KB and 2 MB.
What is the San Marino passport photo size in pixels?
The Italian passport portal does not specify a fixed minimum pixel count, but a resolution of at least 600 × 800 pixels is recommended to ensure quality. Aim for 900 × 1200 pixels or higher for best results, ensuring the JPEG file stays between 20 KB and 2 MB.
What is the San Marino passport photo size in cm and inches?
The photo must be 3.5 cm wide by 4.5 cm high. In inches, that is approximately 1.38 inches wide by 1.77 inches high. This follows the standard European Schengen format.
What colour must the background be for a San Marino passport photo?
Light grey is the standard Italian/Schengen colour and is recommended. White may be accepted but light grey is safer. The background must be shadow-free with no patterns or textures.
Can I wear glasses in a San Marino passport photo?
Yes, glasses are permitted for Italian/Schengen passport photos, but with strict conditions. Frames must be thin and not cover any part of the eyes. Lenses must be completely glare-free with no reflections. It is often safer to remove glasses to avoid rejection.
Can I smile in a San Marino passport photo?
No. You must maintain a neutral expression with your mouth closed and eyes fully open. Smiling, frowning, head tilt, and any non-neutral expression will cause your photo to be rejected.
How recent must a San Marino passport photo be?
The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must accurately reflect your current appearance. Older photos will be rejected.
What is the file size limit for San Marino passport online photo upload?
The Italian passport portal requires a JPEG file between 20 KB and 2 MB. Files under 20 KB are too small and will be rejected for poor quality. Files over 2 MB must be compressed before uploading.
Do I need a passport to enter San Marino?
San Marino has an open border with Italy. You must enter via Italy and therefore require a Schengen passport issued by Italy (or another Schengen state) if you are not passport-exempt. The passport requirements are the same as for Italy.
Can I retouch or edit my San Marino passport photo?
No. Any form of digital retouching or editing is prohibited. This includes skin smoothing, blemish removal, background replacement, and brightness or contrast adjustments. The submitted file must be the unaltered original.
What should I wear for a San Marino passport photo?
Wear everyday clothing that clearly contrasts with the light background. Avoid white or very pale tops if using a white background. Do not wear uniforms, costumes, or anything that obscures the face or neck. Religious dress is permitted if the full face remains visible.
Are religious head coverings allowed in a San Marino passport photo?
Yes, provided the covering is worn daily for religious reasons and your full face from chin to crown remains clearly visible. The covering must be plain material with no patterns, must not cast shadows, and both side edges of the face must be visible.
What are the San Marino passport photo requirements for babies and children?
Children of all ages must have their own separate passport photo. For infants who cannot support their head, lay them on a plain light grey/white sheet and photograph from above. All standard requirements apply, with some flexibility on expression for very young infants.
Should a San Marino passport photo be matte or glossy?
For paper submissions, either matte or glossy photo paper is acceptable. For digital submissions, paper finish is irrelevant. Ensure printed photos are on high-quality photo paper.
Can I use a photo taken on my phone for a San Marino passport?
Yes, provided the photo meets all requirements: plain light grey/white background, neutral expression, face occupying 70–80% of the frame, JPEG format between 20 KB and 2 MB. Have a second person take the photo rather than using a selfie.
Which country should I apply for a passport to visit San Marino?
San Marino does not issue its own passports. You must apply for a Schengen passport through Italy. The photo requirements follow Italian standards. You may need to indicate that you will be visiting San Marino as part of your itinerary.
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