Suriname passport photo requirements
The photo rules set by Directoraat Burgerzaken, Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, Suriname for the Suriname passport, with the official wording and sources.
Quick answer
What are the Suriname passport photo requirements?
Since 2 May 2025 Suriname issues biometric e-passports, and the photo is taken at the Bureau voor Burgerzaken when you apply. Bringing a pasfoto is optional, and no size is published for one. For the photo session: no glasses; head uncovered unless for religious or belief reasons; no white top, camouflage or service uniform; hair clear of the face; neutral expression, head straight and centred.
Surinamese passports are issued by the Directoraat Burgerzaken (DBZ) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Binnenlandse Zaken), the civil affairs office long known as the Centraal Bureau voor Burgerzaken, or CBB. The old cbb.gov.sr address now leads to the directorate's own website. Its passport department processes the passport applications of every Surinamese citizen.
The Travel Documents Act (Wet Reisdocumenten), approved on 17 May 2022 and in force since 2 May 2025, introduced passports with biometric data and electronic features. The national passport is valid for 10 years for citizens aged 18 and over. There is also a second national passport for special cases, a one-year emergency passport without biometrics, diplomatic and service passports, and a single-journey laissez-passer.
Applications are made in person at a Bureau voor Burgerzaken (BvB) with an active e-passport unit. In the second phase of the application the office takes your passport photo, records your biometric data and your signature. That is why the document list marks the pasfoto as not required: you do not need to bring a photo, but you do need to follow the directorate's rules for the picture taken there.
Suriname passport photo size and specifications
The requirements as published by Directoraat Burgerzaken, Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, Suriname:[1]
| Print size | No print needed: the photo is taken at the Bureau voor Burgerzaken; an optional pasfoto has no published size |
|---|---|
| Digital size | No digital file: the face image is captured at the e-passport unit |
| Background | Not published: the Bureau voor Burgerzaken takes the photo |
Key requirements
- Photo taken at the office
In phase 2 of the application, at the same BvB, the officer takes your passport photo, records your biometric data and takes your signature. The document list marks a pasfoto as not required for new, lost, damaged and renewed passports.
- No glasses
The directorate states plainly that glasses are not allowed in the face image. Take them off before the photo is taken.
- Mind your clothing
Do not wear an official service uniform, such as that of the police, fire brigade, army or customs. Camouflage clothing and white upper garments are not allowed either.
- Head uncovered
Your head must be uncovered, unless your religious or philosophical beliefs make that impossible.
- Face clearly visible
Make sure your face is clearly visible and that your hairstyle does not get in the way.
- Neutral and centred
Keep a neutral expression and hold your head straight and centred. An exception applies only when this is not possible for physical or medical reasons.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Take off your glasses for the photo.
- Wear a top that is not white.
- Keep your hair away from your face.
- Hold your head straight and centred.
- Bring your ID card and the documents for your type of application.
- Keep your receipt: it is also your collection slip.
Don't
- Do not wear glasses in the photo.
- Do not wear camouflage or a service uniform.
- Do not cover your head unless for religious or belief reasons.
- Do not let your hair hide your face.
- Do not tilt or turn your head.
Glasses
Glasses are not allowed. The Directoraat Burgerzaken lists this among the requirements for the face image taken at the e-passport unit, and its page gives no exception to it.
The only exception the directorate mentions concerns expression and head position, for people who cannot hold a neutral, straight pose for physical or medical reasons. It does not extend that exception to glasses.
Headwear and religious dress
Your head must be uncovered, unless your religious or philosophical beliefs do not allow it. Whatever you wear, your face must stay clearly visible, and your hairstyle must not block it.
Clothing has its own rules for this photo: no official service uniform of the police, fire brigade, army, customs or other designated government services, no camouflage clothing and no white upper garment.
Babies and children
Applicants aged 17 and under need a family book or birth certificate. A pasfoto is not required for them either, though the directorate recommends bringing one for a baby. Both parents apply for a child born within a marriage; otherwise the mother or the legal representative applies. Adoptive parents apply for an adopted child, and a guardian applies with the guardianship documents.
Children aged 16 and over must also show a valid ID card. Children under 12 do not give fingerprints, but they must be present in person when the application is made.
Printed and digital photos
There is no file to upload and, in the normal case, no print to bring. The e-passport unit at the BvB takes the photo itself during phase 2, together with your biometric data and signature.
The document list still mentions a pasfoto as optional, and recommends one for babies, but the directorate publishes no size, background or other specification for such a photo. If you plan to bring one, ask your BvB what it should look like.
Where to submit the photo
Apply at a BvB with an active e-passport unit; the directorate's schedule of 3 September 2026 lists 17 such locations and the offices whose residents they serve. In phase 1 you hand in your documents. You can pay by debit card at the BvB; if you want to pay in cash or by transfer at Finabank, you first collect an ARN payment reference at the BvB. In that case you return to the same BvB within 72 hours with the proof of payment for phase 2, when the photo, biometrics and signature are taken.
You get a text message when the passport is ready. Collection is in person, with the receipt, your old passport and valid ID, and the passport is not handed over if your fingerprints do not match. The directorate's pages do not describe an e-passport application route at Surinamese embassies or consulates, so if you live abroad, ask the mission that serves you before you plan the trip or take a photo.
How to get your Suriname passport photo
- Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Suriname passport. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
- Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: photo taken at the office; no glasses; mind your clothing; head uncovered.
- Prepare a print or digital file. There is no file to upload and, in the normal case, no print to bring. The e-passport unit at the BvB takes the photo itself during phase 2, together with your biometric data and signature.
- Submit the photo with your application. Apply at a BvB with an active e-passport unit; the directorate's schedule of 3 September 2026 lists 17 such locations and the offices whose residents they serve. In phase 1 you hand in your documents.
Suriname passport photo FAQ
Usually not. The Bureau voor Burgerzaken takes the photo at the e-passport unit during the second phase of your application, and the document list marks a pasfoto as not required. It is recommended only for babies.
No. The Directoraat Burgerzaken says glasses are not allowed in the face image for the passport. Take them off before the photo is taken at the e-passport unit.
Anything except a white top, camouflage clothing or an official service uniform such as that of the police, fire brigade, army or customs. Keep your head uncovered unless your beliefs require a covering.
Yes, if you wear it for religious or philosophical reasons. Otherwise the head must be uncovered. In every case your face must be clearly visible.
A pasfoto is not required for minors, but the directorate recommends bringing one for a baby. The child must be present in person; children under 12 do not give fingerprints.
No. Keep a neutral expression with your head straight and centred. An exception applies only when this is not possible for physical or medical reasons.
The Directoraat Burgerzaken describes applications only at its bureaus in Suriname, where the photo and biometrics are taken. Its pages do not cover applying at an embassy or consulate, so ask the Surinamese mission that serves you how it handles passports.
Related photo specifications
Other Suriname documents
- Visa photo 30 × 40 mm
Passports nearby
- All Suriname photo specifications
- Passports: photo rules by country
- Photo specifications in South America
Official sources
- Directoraat Burgerzaken, Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, Suriname. e-Paspoorten burgerzaken.gov.sr. Checked 2 November 2026.
- Directoraat Burgerzaken, Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, Suriname. Afdeling Paspoorten burgerzaken.gov.sr. Checked 2 November 2026.
- Directoraat Burgerzaken, Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, Suriname. Bekendmaking: betaalmethoden e-Paspoort, e-booth locaties en leges reisdocumenten, 3 september 2026 (PDF) burgerzaken.gov.sr. Checked 2 November 2026.
- Overheid van de Republiek Suriname. Het Centraal Bureau voor Burgerzaken (CBB) gov.sr. Checked 2 November 2026.
Requirements can change, so always confirm with Directoraat Burgerzaken, Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, Suriname before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.
Cite this page
"Suriname passport photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/suriname/passport-photo