Why the Mexican passport needs a correct photo
The Mexican passport is the official travel document that the government of Mexico issues to its citizens. It proves your identity and nationality, and it carries your name, date of birth, signature and photograph. The passport is biometric: a microchip stores your photo and fingerprints, so the face in the photo has to be clear, sharp and easy to compare with you. A passport photo that is too dark, cropped in the wrong size or taken against a busy background can slow down the application.
Mexico passport photo size explained
The standard Mexico passport photo size is 35×45 mm, which is about 1.38×1.77 inches. You can compare your photo with the photo sample sheet published by the Mexican consulate in Frankfurt. In our template the head takes about 34.5 mm from the chin to the top of the head, with about 4.5 mm of space between the top of the head and the upper edge of the photo. Print the passport photo at 600 DPI so the face stays sharp at this small size. Our Mexican passport photo maker uses this size by default, so you do not have to set the passport size yourself.
Two photos for the application
According to the Mexican passport requirements, you bring two recent passport-sized photographs that meet the official specifications, together with proof of Mexican nationality (a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or previous passport), a valid ID such as the INE voter card, and the application form. During the appointment the office may also take your photograph if you did not bring one, and records your fingerprints. Having your own passport photos ready, in the right size, saves time at the desk.
How the application works
First gather your documents and photos. Then schedule an appointment at a passport office in Mexico or at a Mexican consulate abroad, usually online through the official government website gob.mx. Pay the fee, which depends on the passport type and your age, then attend the appointment with your documents, photos and payment receipt. Processing of a regular passport generally takes about 5 to 10 business days, and you collect the passport at the office or consulate when it is ready.
Validity and renewal
A Mexican passport is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors. Mexican passports can be renewed online or in person; renewal follows the same steps as a first application but may need fewer documents if your previous passport is still valid. Because renewal follows the same steps, have a recent passport photo in the 35×45 mm size ready for it as well. If your passport is lost or stolen, report it at once to the nearest consulate or passport office; you will need identification and a police report.
Passport photo checklist
- Correct photo size: 35×45 mm, head about 34.5 mm tall.
- Plain white photo background, no shadows or patterns.
- Face clearly visible, looking straight at the camera.
- Head straight and centred in the frame.
- Hair and accessories kept away from the face.
- Sharp, recent colour photo with no filters or retouching.
- Two recent passport photo prints for your appointment.
Passport photo requirements in detail
The passport photo must be recent, so that it shows how you look today, and it must be in colour. A plain white background keeps the outline of your head clear, and even light keeps both sides of the face visible without shadows. The head size of about 34.5 mm, with about 4.5 mm of space above the hair, makes your face fill the 35×45 mm frame the way the passport format expects. The Mexican passport also stores your photo on its microchip, so a sharp, well-lit passport photo is the safest choice when the officer compares the passport photo with you.
Make your passport photo online or at a studio
You can still get passport photos at a photo studio, but making the passport photo online at home is faster and lets you retake the photo as many times as you like. Our online passport photo maker uses AI to crop the photo to the Mexican passport format, replace the background with plain white and check the head size, pose and sharpness. If a passport photo does not pass, you see what to fix before you download it. The digital passport photo is free; you only pay if you choose the optional retouch.
Passport photos for children
Children and babies applying for a Mexican passport need a passport photo in the same 35×45 mm size and with the same white background as adults. A minor's passport is valid for 5 years, so a child applies for a new passport, with a new photo, more often. For a baby, lay the child on a plain white sheet and take the passport photo from above; our online tool crops it and sets the background.
Digital or printed passport photo
The passport photo you make here works both ways. Download the digital passport photo for an online form, or print it at 600 DPI at home or at a photo shop and cut out two passport photos. Check the printed size with a ruler before you cut: each photo should measure 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall.
