Colombia ID card photo requirements
The 40 × 50 mm photo rules set by Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil for the Colombia ID card, with the official wording and sources.
Quick answer
What size is the Colombia ID card photo?
For a Colombian cédula de ciudadanía, including the new digital cédula, you normally bring no photo: the Registraduría takes it digitally when it records your fingerprints. Prints are needed only at consulates without enrolment stations, or for paper enrolment with ink. Those must be 4 x 5 cm, crown to chin 3.9 to 4.2 cm, eyes 2.4 to 3.4 cm above the bottom edge, on a uniform, ideally white background, with dark clothing.
The cédula de ciudadanía is the identity card of Colombians aged 18 and over, issued by the Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil. Two formats are valid today: the yellow card with holograms, and the digital cédula, which comes as a polycarbonate card plus a mobile version activated in the Cédula Digital Colombia app. The Registraduría is gradually reducing production of the yellow card, and the digital cédula is valid for ten years.
First-time and duplicate digital cédulas are processed in person, without an appointment, at every registry office in Colombia and at 56 Colombian consulates abroad. The office enrols your biographical and biometric data on the spot, and the Registraduría says plainly that you must not hand in a photograph.
Printed photos are the exception. They are needed when a person's physical condition makes digital fingerprint capture impossible and enrolment is done on paper with ink, and at consulates that do not yet have digital enrolment stations (EIS). For those cases the Registraduría publishes a detailed specification, Memorandum CGR-0530 of 1 October 2019, based on ICAO Doc 9303 and ISO 19794-5.
Colombia ID card photo size and specifications
The requirements as published by Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil:[1]
| Print size | Prints, where required: 4 x 5 cm (40 x 50 mm); otherwise none, taken at the Registraduría |
|---|---|
| Digital size | No digital file accepted: the photo is captured on site or handed in as a print |
| Head height | 39 to 42 mm from crown to chin; also given as 70-80% of the longer side |
| Eye line | 24 to 34 mm above the bottom edge of the photo |
| Background | Uniform, a single colour, ideally white and bright enough to set the person apart |
| Colour | Natural colour; unnatural colour casts are rejected |
| Print quality | High-quality, high-definition paper, free of scuffs or marks |
| Pixels when printed | 472 × 591 px at 300 dpi · 945 × 1181 px at 600 dpi (calculated) |
Key requirements
- Usually no photo to bring
For a first-time or duplicate digital cédula, the Registraduría records your data and biometrics at the office and takes the photo digitally. Its pages for both procedures say you must not hand in a photograph.
- Dark clothing
To give enough contrast, the Registraduría asks for dark or strongly coloured clothing. White or other light-coloured tops are prohibited, as are straps, large collars and low necklines. The rule applies to office photos and prints alike.
- Head size on prints
On a 4 x 5 cm print the distance from crown to chin must be between 3.9 cm and 4.2 cm, with a 2 mm gap above the head and the eyes 24 to 34 mm above the bottom edge. With very full hair the top margin does not apply, and part of the hair may be cropped.
- Full face, straight on
Face the camera fully, with your mouth closed, eyes open, and no smile or frown. Half-profile and tilted photos are refused. Hair goes behind the ears, and both ears must be visible.
- Light and focus
Light must fall evenly, without shadows, bright spots or red eye, and the image must be sharp and show your true skin tone. Visible pixels, blotches and unnatural colours are listed as faults.
- Hair pieces and jewellery
Headbands, hair bows and hairstyles that block the face are not allowed, nor are large metal pieces such as piercings. Jewellery is accepted outside the face, but earrings must not cover or distort it.
- Rejected photos stop the card
If the photo ignores these rules, the Registraduría rejects the application and does not issue the document until you supply a suitable photo.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Wear dark or strongly coloured clothing to the registry office.
- Tuck your hair behind your ears.
- Check whether your consulate is on the list of those without EIS stations.
- For prints, keep the crown-to-chin height between 3.9 and 4.2 cm.
- Use a uniform, ideally white background for prints.
- Bring a medical certificate if you must wear tinted glasses.
Don't
- Do not bring photos to a registry office or an EIS-equipped consulate.
- Do not wear white or light-coloured tops, straps or low necklines.
- Do not wear sunglasses or dark, polarised or mirrored lenses.
- Do not wear headbands, hair bows or large piercings.
- Do not smile, frown or tilt your head.
- Do not hand in creased, scuffed or pixelated prints.
Sample photos
How a Colombia ID card photo should look, and the mistakes that most often get photos rejected. Each example is drawn to this document's 40 × 50 mm, head height and background colour.
Illustrations, not real photos. The official rules above always take priority; some documents do not allow glasses at all.
Glasses
The Registraduría prefers that you take glasses off before the photo. Sunglasses and dark, polarised or mirrored lenses are prohibited unless there is a very serious medical reason, backed by a medical certificate.
If you keep ordinary glasses on, your eyes must be fully visible and the lenses must not reflect the flash or other lights, or cast shadows on the eyes or face. A reflection leads to rejection, and the memorandum also shows frames that cover the eyes and frames that are too thick as faults.
Headwear and religious dress
Head coverings worn for religious, ethnic or medical reasons are allowed, but your eyes and face must remain visible for the biometric photo to be approved. The memorandum shows a hood as an incorrect example, along with coverings that cast shadows on the face or hide part of it.
Hair accessories are restricted too: no headbands, bows or hairstyles that block the face, and hair should sit behind the ears.
Babies and children
The cédula is for people aged 18 and over; younger Colombians hold the tarjeta de identidad. Memorandum CGR-0530 sets the same 4 x 5 cm size for both documents, and adds rules for children's photos: a uniform, light background with nobody else in it, lips closed, the face uncovered and no toys or other objects beside the face.
A first cédula is requested on turning 18, free of charge, using the birth certificate or the biometric tarjeta de identidad as the base document. The photo is taken at the registry office like any other cédula photo.
Printed and digital photos
No channel accepts a digital file from you. In most cases the Registraduría captures the photo digitally at the office, for both the polycarbonate card and the mobile version in the app, which you open with facial recognition or a PIN.
Prints are needed only at consulates without EIS stations and for paper enrolment. The Registraduría links a list of those consulates; the version dated October 2024 includes Ottawa, Vancouver, Sydney, Tokyo, Dublin, Frankfurt and Caracas. Sydney's consulate asks for three prints. Prints must be on high-quality, high-definition paper without scuffs or marks, and several 4 x 5 cm copies fit on a 4x6 inch sheet printed at a photo counter.
Where to submit the photo
In Colombia, go to any registry office (registraduría). First-time and digital duplicate requests are walk-in, served in order of arrival; some offices need an appointment for yellow-card duplicates, rectifications and renewals. A duplicate is paid first, at Banco de Bogotá and its partner agents or online through PSE.
Abroad, the cédula is processed at Colombian consulates, which send the material to the Registraduría in Bogotá by diplomatic bag; the finished card comes back the same way. A yellow-card duplicate can also be ordered online as a replica of your last document, without a new photo, but the Registraduría advises against that route if you want to update your photo or signature.
How to get your Colombia ID card photo
- Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Colombia ID card: 40 × 50 mm print, uniform background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
- Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: usually no photo to bring; dark clothing; head size on prints; full face, straight on.
- Prepare a print or digital file. No channel accepts a digital file from you. In most cases the Registraduría captures the photo digitally at the office, for both the polycarbonate card and the mobile version in the app, which you open with facial recognition or a PIN.
- Submit the photo with your application. In Colombia, go to any registry office (registraduría). First-time and digital duplicate requests are walk-in, served in order of arrival; some offices need an appointment for yellow-card duplicates, rectifications and renewals.
Colombia ID card photo FAQ
Usually not. For a first-time or duplicate digital cédula, the Registraduría says you must not hand in a photo: it is taken digitally at the registry office or at one of the 56 consulates offering the service. Prints are needed only at consulates without enrolment stations, or when fingerprints have to be taken on paper.
4 x 5 cm (40 x 50 mm), width x height. The head, from crown to chin, must measure between 3.9 and 4.2 cm, with the eyes 24 to 34 mm above the bottom edge and a 2 mm margin above the head. The Registraduría also describes the head as 70% to 80% of the longer side.
Dark or strongly coloured clothing. White and other light colours are prohibited, and so are straps, large collars and plunging necklines. Leave off headbands, hair bows and large piercings, and put your hair behind your ears.
The Registraduría prefers no glasses. Sunglasses and dark, polarised or mirrored lenses are prohibited unless a very serious medical reason is certified by a doctor. Clear glasses are tolerated only if your eyes are fully visible and there are no reflections or shadows.
Those without EIS digital enrolment stations. The Registraduría links a list; the October 2024 version names 68 consulates, including Ottawa, Vancouver, Sydney, Tokyo, Dublin, Frankfurt and Caracas. Check your consulate's own page before you go: Sydney, for example, asks for three prints.
The digital cédula follows ICAO Doc 9303 for the card and the holder's photo, and the app unlocks with facial recognition. The photo is taken at the registry office. Moving from the yellow card to the digital one requires a visit in person so that your data, photo and fingerprints are updated.
The Registraduría rejects the request and does not issue the cédula until you supply a suitable photo. A rejection for quality reasons also means the enrolment material has to be prepared again in person.
Related photo specifications
Other Colombia documents
- Passport photo
- Visa photo 30 × 40 mm
- Driving licence photo
- Residence visa photo 30 × 40 mm
- Nationality photo 40 × 50 mm
Identity cards nearby
- Argentina DNI (national identity card) photo 40 × 40 mm
- Bolivia ID card photo 30 × 30 mm
- Brazil ID card photo 30 × 40 mm
Also 40 × 50 mm
- Afghanistan passport photo 40 × 50 mm
- Albania passport photo 40 × 50 mm
- Belarus passport photo 40 × 50 mm
- Belarus driving licence photo 40 × 50 mm
- Belarus residence permit photo 40 × 50 mm
- Cyprus passport photo 40 × 50 mm
- Dominican Republic visa photo 40 × 50 mm
- Estonia passport photo 40 × 50 mm
- Estonia ID card photo 40 × 50 mm
- Estonia resident digital identity card photo 40 × 50 mm
- All Colombia photo specifications
- Identity cards: photo rules by country
- Every document that uses a 40 × 50 mm photo
- Photo specifications in South America
Official sources
- Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil. Cédula de ciudadanía amarilla con hologramas – preguntas frecuentes (incl. photo requirements) registraduria.gov.co. Checked 1 November 2026.
- Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil. Memorando 0500-0521-CGR-0530: aspectos fundamentales para la toma y recibo de fotografías registraduria.gov.co. Checked 1 November 2026.
- Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil. Cédula digital – Duplicado registraduria.gov.co. Checked 1 November 2026.
- Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil. Cédula digital – Primera vez registraduria.gov.co. Checked 1 November 2026.
- Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil. Cédula de ciudadanía digital – preguntas frecuentes registraduria.gov.co. Checked 1 November 2026.
- Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil. Consulados de Colombia en el exterior sin EIS (list, 8 October 2024) registraduria.gov.co. Checked 1 November 2026.
- Consulate of Colombia in Sydney. Cédula de ciudadanía – Consulado de Colombia en Sídney sydney.consulado.gov.co. Checked 1 November 2026.
Requirements can change, so always confirm with Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.
Cite this page
"Colombia ID card photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/colombia/id-card-photo