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Citizenship and naturalisation

Ireland irish citizenship (naturalisation) photo requirements

The 715 × 951 px photo rules set by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), Department of Justice; first passport photos set by the Department of Foreign Affairs for the Ireland irish citizenship (naturalisation), with the official wording and sources.

Based on 5 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

Quick answer

What size is the Ireland irish citizenship (naturalisation) photo?

An Irish naturalisation application does not ask for passport photos. Instead, upload a certified full-colour copy of the passport photo page with a signed certification form, as a PDF or JPEG under 5 MB. The first passport photo is needed later: a colour JPEG of at least 715 x 951 pixels, up to 9 MB, taken in the last 6 months.

Naturalisation is overseen by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) on behalf of the Minister for Justice, and is applied for online through ISD's Online Form Portal. Paper forms are still available for those who cannot use the online service.

Identity documents must add up to 150 points on ISD's Citizenship Identity Scorecard; a certified colour copy of a valid passport can reach 150 points on its own. If approved, the applicant is normally invited to a citizenship ceremony and receives a certificate of naturalisation. A first Irish passport can be applied for only after that certificate is received.

Ireland irish citizenship (naturalisation) photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), Department of Justice; first passport photos set by the Department of Foreign Affairs:[1]

Ireland irish citizenship (naturalisation) photo specifications
Digital sizeFirst Irish passport (Passport Online): at least 715 x 951 pixels
BackgroundFirst Irish passport: plain light grey, white or cream
ColourColour (passport photo)
Photo ageFirst passport photo: taken in the last 6 months
File sizeCertified document uploads: each under 5 MB. First passport photo: up to 9 MB
File formatCertified documents: PDF or JPEG/JPG. First passport photo: colour JPEG
715 px951 px
715 × 951 px photo drawn to scale. Background: first Irish passport: plain light grey.

In the official words

Exact wording from the official sources, quoted because the details matter:

Upload a certified full-colour photocopy of the biometric page of your passport, together with a completed and signed certification form.

Immigration Service Delivery: How to become an Irish citizen guide[1]

Key requirements

  • No passport photos

    ISD's current guide does not list passport photos. Upload a certified full-colour photocopy of the passport's biometric (photo) page with the completed and signed Passport Certification Form.

  • Who certifies

    A practising solicitor, Commissioner for Oaths, Notary Public or Peace Commissioner, in person (not by post, email or scanned signature). They sign and date both the copy and the form. A friend, an employer or a member of An Garda Siochana is not authorised; incorrect certification is rejected and delays the application.

  • Files

    PDF or JPEG, each under 5 MB. If a phone photo is too large, ISD suggests lowering the camera resolution and retaking it.

  • Original passport

    Not sent since 20 April 2023 unless ISD asks for it.

  • First Irish passport photo

    Digital photo meeting the Department of Foreign Affairs guidelines: colour JPEG, at least 715 x 951 pixels, up to 9 MB, taken in the last 6 months, plain light grey, white or cream background, not a selfie. A first-time adult applicant's identity is verified by a member of An Garda Siochana in Ireland.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Make a full-colour photocopy of the passport biometric page
  • Have it certified in person and signed and dated by the certifier
  • Check the passport photo, signature, stamp and date are sharp before uploading

Don't

  • Use an unauthorised certifier such as a friend, an employer or a Garda
  • Certify by post, email or scanned signature
  • Upload files over 5 MB

Sample photos

How a Ireland irish citizenship (naturalisation) photo should look, and the mistakes that most often get photos rejected. Each example is drawn to this document's 715 × 951 px and background colour.

Correct
Open-mouth smile
Head tilted
Too close: head too big
Too far: head too small
Busy background
Shadows on face or background
Glare on glasses

Illustrations, not real photos. The official rules above always take priority; some documents do not allow glasses at all.

Naturalisation uses uploaded PDF or JPEG copies of certified documents (under 5 MB each). The first passport uses a digital photo.

Where to submit the photo

Upload the certified copy and form in ISD's Online Form Portal and pay the 175 EUR application fee. If the application is approved, a certification fee is payable (usually 950 EUR for a standard adult).

How to get your Ireland irish citizenship (naturalisation) photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Ireland irish citizenship (naturalisation): 715 × 951 px print, 715 × 951 px digital file, first Irish passport: plain light grey background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: no passport photos; who certifies; files; original passport.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Naturalisation uses uploaded PDF or JPEG copies of certified documents (under 5 MB each). The first passport uses a digital photo.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Upload the certified copy and form in ISD's Online Form Portal and pay the 175 EUR application fee. If the application is approved, a certification fee is payable (usually 950 EUR for a standard adult).

Ireland irish citizenship (naturalisation) photo FAQ

Not for the current online naturalisation application. ISD's guide does not list passport photos. You upload a certified full-colour photocopy of your passport's biometric (photo) page with a completed and signed certification form instead.

A practising solicitor, a Commissioner for Oaths, a Notary Public or a Peace Commissioner. They must certify it in person, not by post, email or scanned signature, and sign and date both the copy and the certification form.

No. ISD lists using someone who is not authorised, such as a friend, an employer or a member of An Garda Siochana, as a common certification mistake. This differs from an Irish passport application, where a Garda witnesses first-time applications.

Not usually. Since 20 April 2023 you no longer send your original passport unless ISD asks for it, which typically applies to a small, randomly selected sample of applicants.

PDF or JPEG files, each under 5 MB.

Only after you receive your certificate of naturalisation, which is normally handed over at a citizenship ceremony.

The application fee is 175 EUR. If approved, the certification fee is usually 950 EUR for a standard adult application, 200 EUR for a minor, 200 EUR for a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen, and nothing for refugees and stateless people.

Related photo specifications

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Official sources

  1. Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). How to become an Irish citizen guide irishimmigration.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). How to become a citizen irishimmigration.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. Citizens Information. Becoming an Irish citizen through naturalisation citizensinformation.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. Department of Foreign Affairs. First-time passport application for adults ireland.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.
  5. Department of Foreign Affairs. Photo guidelines ireland.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), Department of Justice; first passport photos set by the Department of Foreign Affairs before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"Ireland irish citizenship (naturalisation) photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/ireland/citizenship-photo