Côte d'Ivoire assport photo requirements
The 40 × 40 mm photo rules set by Government of Côte d'Ivoire, public-service portal for the Côte d'Ivoire assport, with the official wording and sources.
Quick answer
What size is the Côte d'Ivoire assport photo?
In Côte d'Ivoire the passport photograph is taken at the enrolment agency, glasses removed, although SNEDAI's list still asks for one recent identity photo. The only size published is 4 cm x 4 cm ("Modèle Europe") on the Ottawa embassy page. Paris asks for one photo and Washington for two, both without dimensions. No source states a background colour.
Ivorian ordinary passports are made by SNEDAI, which the government's public-service portal describes as the body "en charge exclusive de son édition", working under the strict control of the police. SNEDAI's own FAQ adds that the State kept the process of establishing the passport and conceded only personalisation and production to the company; the police check files before enrolment and validate them afterwards. The application form used abroad carries the header of the Ministry of Security, Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire, Sous-direction de la Police de l'Air et des Frontières.
Inside the country, the photograph is part of enrolment. The portal tells applicants to go in person to an enrolment agency, where they submit to the checking of their documents and to "la prise des empreintes digitales et de la photo". SNEDAI's list of documents nevertheless still asks for "une photo d'identité (photo récente)" at every age, and no page explains how the two fit together.
Abroad, the photo is a print that goes into the paper file, and each embassy words it differently. Ottawa gives 4 cm x 4 cm, while Paris and Washington give no dimensions at all. No page read states a background colour, a head size or a maximum age for the picture.
Côte d'Ivoire assport photo size and specifications
The requirements as published by Government of Côte d'Ivoire, public-service portal:[1]
| Print size | 40 x 40 mm (4 cm x 4 cm, "Modèle Europe") at the Ottawa embassy; no size elsewhere |
|---|---|
| Digital size | No upload described: a printed photo goes in the file; the counter photo is taken in Abidjan |
| Background | Not published by SNEDAI, the government portal or any embassy page read |
| Photo age | Recent photo ("photo récente"); no maximum age is stated |
| Print quality | Prints: 1 on the SNEDAI list, in Ottawa and in Paris; 2 in Washington |
| Pixels when printed | 472 × 472 px at 300 dpi · 945 × 945 px at 600 dpi (calculated) |
Key requirements
- The counter takes its own photograph
The government portal's step 3 sends you to an enrolment site for document checks and "la prise des empreintes digitales et de la photo" (biometric and biographical registration). SNEDAI's passport page repeats the line.
- A recent print is still on the list
SNEDAI's list for nationals gives "Une photo d'identité (photo récente)" for adults, for 14 to 18 year olds and for children under 14, and for an adult renewal of a passport that has not expired. It gives no size, background or head rule for it.
- Glasses come off
SNEDAI's FAQ says people who wear glasses are asked to remove them for the photograph. The passport then records "port de lunettes" under distinguishing features.
- Headscarves come off, with one exception
The same FAQ says a headscarf or chador must be removed for the photograph. A chador that is your everyday dress may stay, provided the face is uncovered and the ears are visible, in line with international standards.
- Ottawa asks for 4 cm x 4 cm
The embassy in Ottawa (page updated 30 June 2023) lists "Une (1) Photo d'identité récente 4cm X 4cm (Modèle Europe)" for an adult first application, for a minor and for an adult renewal.
- Paris and Washington give no dimensions
The embassy in France (page updated 18 March 2022) asks for one photo to go with the signed application form. The embassy in Washington asks for two identity photos in passport format on its undated page.
- No background colour is published
Neither SNEDAI, the portal nor the three embassy pages say what colour the background of the print should be. The application form has a "Photo" box and no instructions.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Take your glasses off for the photograph at the enrolment counter.
- Bring one recent identity photo with your file, as SNEDAI's list says.
- Print the picture 4 cm x 4 cm if you apply through the Ottawa embassy.
- Check whether your embassy wants one print or two.
- Keep your face uncovered and your ears visible if you wear a daily chador.
Don't
- Do not wear glasses for the enrolment photograph.
- Do not assume the 4 cm x 4 cm size applies in Paris or Washington; they give none.
- Do not cover your face or ears.
- Do not look for a background rule in the official lists: none is published.
Sample photos
How a Côte d'Ivoire assport photo should look, and the mistakes that most often get photos rejected. Each example is drawn to this document's 40 × 40 mm and background colour.
Illustrations, not real photos. The official rules above always take priority; some documents do not allow glasses at all.
Glasses
Glasses are not worn for the photograph. SNEDAI's FAQ answers "Est ce que je dois ôter mes lunettes pour la prise de la photographie ?" with a yes, and says the passport notes "port de lunettes" under signes particuliers. The FAQ speaks of the picture taken at the counter, and the embassy pages read say nothing about glasses.
Headwear and religious dress
Remove a headscarf or chador for the photograph. The exception in SNEDAI's FAQ is a chador that is your daily dress: you may keep it on with the face uncovered and the ears visible, in line with international standards. No source says anything about hats or caps.
Babies and children
The SNEDAI list asks for the same one recent identity photo for a child aged 0 to 14 and for a young person aged 14 to 18. The file also needs a parental authorisation legalised at the town hall, the original and a copy of the authorising parent's identity card, and the original birth extract. The Ottawa embassy lists one 4 cm x 4 cm photo for a minor.
No source gives a separate pose, size or background rule for babies or young children.
Printed and digital photos
In Abidjan the biometric photograph is taken at the counter, so there is nothing to upload. The online pre-enrolment on monpasseport.ci covers booking an appointment and paying the stamp fee; the pages read do not mention a photo upload there.
Embassy files take paper prints. A digital picture can be cropped to the size your embassy wants, such as 4 cm x 4 cm for Ottawa, and printed at a photo counter. Several copies fit on one 4x6 inch sheet, which is useful where two prints are asked for.
Where to submit the photo
In Côte d'Ivoire the portal lists the passport agencies at Plateau (Sûreté nationale), Cocody, Marcory and Yopougon, plus an e-passport agency at Angré open by appointment through monpasseport.ci. The free form is also available from the Sous-direction de la police de l'air et des frontières and from SNEDAI's website.
Abroad, apply through the embassy for your country of residence, using the checklist on its own page. SNEDAI also publishes a separate PDF list of documents for Ivorians abroad, which gives the same single recent photo for a first application and for a renewal.
How to get your Côte d'Ivoire assport photo
- Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Côte d'Ivoire assport: 40 × 40 mm print. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
- Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: the counter takes its own photograph; a recent print is still on the list; glasses come off; headscarves come off, with one exception.
- Prepare a print or digital file. In Abidjan the biometric photograph is taken at the counter, so there is nothing to upload. The online pre-enrolment on monpasseport.ci covers booking an appointment and paying the stamp fee; the pages read do not mention a photo upload there.
- Submit the photo with your application. In Côte d'Ivoire the portal lists the passport agencies at Plateau (Sûreté nationale), Cocody, Marcory and Yopougon, plus an e-passport agency at Angré open by appointment through monpasseport.ci.
Côte d'Ivoire assport photo FAQ
No size is published for the enrolment in Côte d'Ivoire, where the photograph is taken at the counter. The Ottawa embassy lists "4cm X 4cm (Modèle Europe)" for a printed photo. The Paris and Washington embassies and the SNEDAI list give no dimensions.
Yes. The government portal and SNEDAI both say that enrolment includes fingerprints and the taking of the photograph. SNEDAI's list still asks you to bring one recent identity photo, so ask the agency whether it will use it.
One on SNEDAI's list for applicants in Côte d'Ivoire, one at the embassies in Ottawa and Paris, and two in Washington. The Paris photo goes on the signed application form.
No. SNEDAI's FAQ says glasses wearers are asked to remove them for the photograph, and the passport records "port de lunettes" among the distinguishing features.
A headscarf or chador must be removed. A chador worn as everyday dress may stay on if the face is uncovered and the ears are visible, according to SNEDAI's FAQ.
No official page read gives one. SNEDAI, the portal, Ottawa, Paris and Washington all ask for an identity photo without naming a colour. Ask your embassy before printing.
SNEDAI produces it under police control, according to the government portal. The police check files before enrolment and validate them afterwards, and the application form abroad carries the Ministry of Security's header.
Yes. SNEDAI asks for one recent identity photo for applicants aged 0 to 14 and 14 to 18, together with a parental authorisation legalised at the town hall and the parent's identity card.
Related photo specifications
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- All Côte d'Ivoire photo specifications
- Passports: photo rules by country
- Every document that uses a 40 × 40 mm photo
- Photo specifications in Africa
Official sources
- Government of Côte d'Ivoire, public-service portal. Demander un passeport servicepublic.gouv.ci. Checked 3 November 2026.
- SNEDAI. Passeport en Côte d'Ivoire (procedure and documents) snedai.com. Checked 3 November 2026.
- SNEDAI CI, monpasseport.ci. Liste des pièces à fournir, nationaux d'origine (PDF) monpasseport.ci. Checked 3 November 2026.
- SNEDAI CI, monpasseport.ci. Liste des pièces à fournir, diaspora (PDF) monpasseport.ci. Checked 3 November 2026.
- SNEDAI. FAQ passeport biométrique snedai.com. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Ministère de la Sécurité, Sous-direction de la Police de l'Air et des Frontières (hosted by SNEDAI). Formulaire de demande de passeport ordinaire à l'étranger (PDF) snedai.com. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Ambassade de Côte d'Ivoire au Canada. Passeports ordinaires biométriques: 1ère demande et renouvellement canada.diplomatie.gouv.ci. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Ambassade de Côte d'Ivoire en France. Procédure et pièces à fournir pour l'établissement d'un passeport france.diplomatie.gouv.ci. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire in the United States. Passeport ambaciusa.org. Checked 3 November 2026.
Requirements can change, so always confirm with Government of Côte d'Ivoire, public-service portal before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.
Cite this page
"Côte d'Ivoire assport photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/c-ote-divoire/passport-photo