Turkey ID Card

Intro

The Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Kimlik Kartı (Turkey's national ID card, often called kimlik kart) is the primary government-issued identity document for Turkish citizens. The biometric photo on the card must measure 50 mm × 60 mm (5 × 6 cm), comply with ICAO 9303 biometric standards, and have been taken within the past six months. These are strict, machine-checked requirements: arriving at the Nüfus Müdürlüğü with the wrong photo size or background makes the application incomplete and requires a second visit. This page covers Turkey ID card photo requirements, the application process, and common rejection causes.

Photo requirements at a glance

Turkey ID card photo requirements, based on the NVI biometric photo guidelines:

Specification	Requirement
Size	50 mm × 60 mm (5 × 6 cm)
Background	Plain white, no patterns, shadows, or colour gradients
Colour	Full colour
Resolution	300 DPI
Face coverage	70–80% of photo area
Photo recency	Taken within the last 6 months
Expression	Neutral, eyes open, looking directly at camera
Lighting	Even across the face, no reflections or shadows
Retouching	None; digital filters altering facial features are not accepted

Why these specs matter

Turkey's ID card photo standard is set by NVI under ICAO 9303 biometric rules, the same international framework used for passports and machine-readable travel documents. A 50 mm × 60 mm print is notably taller than the 35×45 mm format common in many other countries, and the NVI explicitly states that a different size leaves the application incomplete.

The plain white background without shadows or patterns is a technical requirement for automated face-matching, not a stylistic preference. Any gradient, texture, or shadow behind the subject interferes with the biometric check. Resolution at 300 DPI ensures the stored chip image meets the quality threshold for facial recognition at ID checkpoints.

The face must occupy 70–80% of the photo area, meaning the head, neck, and top of the shoulders should fill most of the frame. Photos shot from too far away, or those with excessive empty space above the head, will not pass the proportion check. The photo must also be taken within the last six months to reflect the applicant's current appearance, and colours must be neutral and reflect natural skin tones, with no filters or beauty retouching.

How to take the photo with iShotAPhoto

iShotAPhoto is a free online tool for producing a compliant Turkey ID card photo from a phone or computer.

1. Open iShotAPhoto and select "Turkey ID card" as the document type.
2. Upload your photo or take one using your device's camera.
3. The AI compliance check validates the image against Turkish ID card photo requirements (size, background, ICAO standards) and flags any issues before you proceed.
4. Preview the formatted result at no cost. Download the photo sized to 50 mm × 60 mm at 300 DPI, ready for printing or online submission.
5. If you need a physical print for your in-person appointment at the Nüfus Müdürlüğü, order a printed copy for delivery to your address.

How to take it yourself with a phone

A compliant Turkey ID card photo can be taken at home with a phone, provided you control the light and the background carefully.

1. Use indirect natural daylight. Position yourself near a large window so the light falls evenly across your face. Avoid shooting with the window behind you, as backlighting washes out facial detail and creates shadows on the face.
2. Set up a plain white backdrop. A white wall or a large sheet of white card behind you gives the clearest background. Stand a short distance from the wall so you don't cast a shadow onto it.
3. Keep the camera at eye level. Place the phone on a stable surface or have someone else hold it so the lens is level with your eyes. Shooting from below or above distorts facial proportions.
4. Centre your face fully in the frame, with all of your hair visible. Leave a small gap between the top of your head and the top edge of the frame. The NVI guidelines require the face to be centred and the full hairstyle to appear in the photo.
5. Adopt a neutral expression with both eyes open. Look directly into the camera lens. Smiling, squinting, or tilting the head will fail the automated compliance check.
6. Review the photo before uploading. Check for shadows crossing the face or background, any reflections on glasses, and any motion blur. If you wear prescription glasses, consider removing them, as even clear lenses can cause reflections that obscure the eyes.

Common rejection reasons

Wrong photo size. The NVI guidelines state explicitly that photos in a different size (such as the widely used 35×45 mm format) leave the application incomplete. Print or crop to exactly 50 mm × 60 mm before attending your appointment.

Non-white or patterned background. A plain white background with no shadows or patterns is mandatory. Any colour, texture, or gradient behind the subject is grounds for rejection.

Background shadows. Shadows on the background are treated the same as a non-white background. Moving away from the wall and ensuring even front lighting removes them before you shoot.

Photo older than six months. The photo must represent the applicant's current appearance and be taken within the last six months. An older photo, however high in quality, will not be accepted.

Tinted, coloured, or reflective glasses. Coloured lenses and sunglasses are explicitly prohibited. Clear prescription glasses are generally discouraged because frames and reflections can obstruct facial features needed for biometric matching. Only mandatory medical aids are permitted.

Accessories covering the face. Hats and headscarves that obstruct biometric identification are rejected. Mandatory medical aids are the only stated exception.

Spots, creases, or physical damage. Blemishes or folds on the photo surface make the print unusable. Handle photos by their edges.

Digital retouching that alters facial features. Filters or edits that change the shape or structure of the face are explicitly rejected. Minor brightness adjustment that does not distort facial structure is the outer limit of permissible editing.

Non-biometric or reproduced prints. Photocopies and digitally reproduced non-biometric photographs are not accepted. The photo must be printed on photographic paper to the biometric quality standard.

How iShotAPhoto compares to other options

Where you take your Turkish ID card photo affects both cost and confidence that the photo will pass. The four main options are:

Option	Cost	Time	Approval likelihood	Convenience
iShotAPhoto	Low	Quick	High when AI check passes	Very high (works from any device at home)
Pharmacy or kiosk	Moderate	Quick	Varies; staff may not know Turkish ID card spec	Good if a service point is nearby
Photo studio	Premium	Moderate	High when the studio knows the 50×60 mm Turkish spec	Lower (requires travel)
Photo booth	Low	Quick	Varies	Moderate; common in Turkey, less so abroad

Costs and times vary by region.

Country-specific notes

Validity and turkey ID card renewal. The Turkey national ID card is valid for 10 years. Early renewal is only permitted in three situations: a change to any data printed on the card, physical damage to the card, or the identification of a security vulnerability. Cards that have simply aged are renewed at expiry.

Application process. Applications can be submitted at the nearest Nüfus Müdürlüğü (Population and Citizenship Directorate) with or without a prior appointment. Appointments are bookable via randevu.nvi.gov.tr, by calling Alo 199, through the e-Devlet (e-Government) portal, or via the NVI Mobile app. Applicants aged 15 and over must attend in person; those under 15 apply through a parent or legal guardian.

Fees. The 2025 issuance fee is 185 TL; replacement of a lost card costs 370 TL. The amount is set annually by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, so the figure on the day of application may differ from the figure published earlier in the year.

Use as a travel document. The Turkish national ID card is accepted as a travel document in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Northern Cyprus, Serbia, and Ukraine. For travel to Ukraine and Moldova, only the new chip-based biometric card is valid; temporary IDs are not accepted. Azerbaijan and Turkey have permitted mutual ID-card travel since 1 April 2021. A full passport remains required for all other international destinations.

Additional card functions. Since September 2020, the biometric identity card can also function as a driving licence. The card is bilingual in Turkish and English and follows ID-1 (credit-card) dimensions of 85.60 mm × 53.98 mm, replacing the earlier gender-specific coloured cards that measured 7×9 cm and were introduced before 2017.

Overseas applications and a note on photo size. Turkish citizens abroad must apply through a Turkish diplomatic mission by appointment. The Los Angeles Consulate General confirms 50×60 mm as the standard size and notes that the commonly-used US 2-inch × 2-inch format is also accepted at that specific mission only. The Turkish Embassy in Tokyo has previously listed a 5×5 cm figure, which contradicts the NVI national standard of 50×60 mm; the NVI figure is authoritative.

Special cases

Children under 15. Applications for children under 15 are submitted by a parent or legal guardian. A biometric photo is not required for a standard card issued to an under-15 applicant, but becomes mandatory if the card is to be used as a travel document. When required, the photo must meet the same 50×60 mm, white-background, ICAO standard as an adult card.

Applicants aged 15 to 18. Those between 15 and 18 must attend the appointment in person, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Homebound applicants. Applicants who cannot travel to a population directorate can request that a portable registration device be brought to them.

Religious or medical head coverings. Accessories that cover the face and obstruct biometric identification are rejected. Mandatory medical aids are the only permitted exception under NVI rules. Head coverings that leave the entire face from forehead to chin unobscured are compatible with the biometric requirement.

Card delivery. Domestically issued cards are delivered to the applicant's registered address within Turkey through contracted delivery services; they cannot be sent to an address abroad. Cards issued via overseas missions are distributed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Frequently asked questions

What size must the photo be for a Turkish national ID card?

The photo must be 50 mm × 60 mm (5 × 6 cm). This is larger than the 35×45 mm format used for many other countries' documents. Submitting a different size makes the application incomplete.

What are the Turkey ID card photo requirements?

The photo must be 50 mm × 60 mm, printed on a plain white background without shadows, patterns, or gradients, in full colour at 300 DPI, and taken within the last six months. The face must be centred, fully visible including the hairstyle, with both eyes open and looking directly at the camera. No digital filters that alter facial features are accepted.

What is the Turkish ID card photo size?

The Turkish ID card photo size is 50 mm wide × 60 mm tall. This 50×60 mm format is confirmed by both the NVI national standard and Turkish diplomatic missions abroad including the Los Angeles Consulate General.

How long is a Turkey national ID card valid?

The card is valid for 10 years. Early renewal is only possible if data on the card changes, the card is physically damaged, or a security vulnerability is identified. Cards in good condition are renewed at their expiry date.

Where do I apply for a Turkey identity card?

Domestic applicants go to their nearest Nüfus Müdürlüğü, with or without an appointment. Appointments are bookable at randevu.nvi.gov.tr, by calling Alo 199, through the e-Devlet portal, or via the NVI Mobile app. Overseas applicants book through a Turkish diplomatic mission.

What documents do I need to apply?

You need a valid photo identification document (an existing ID card, passport, driver's licence, or international family booklet) and one biometric photograph meeting the 50×60 mm, white-background, ICAO standard. The applicable fee is paid on the day of application.

How much does a Turkey ID card cost?

As of January 2025, the issuance fee is 185 TL; replacement of a lost card costs 370 TL. The fee is determined annually by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, so confirm the current rate before your appointment.

Do children need a biometric photo for a Turkey ID card?

Children under 15 are not required to provide a biometric photo for a standard ID card. A biometric photo meeting the full 50×60 mm spec becomes mandatory if the card is to be used as a travel document.

Can I wear glasses in my Turkish ID card photo?

Tinted glasses, coloured lenses, and sunglasses are prohibited. Clear prescription glasses are generally discouraged because lens reflections and frames can interfere with biometric matching. Only mandatory medical aids are permitted.

What are the photo requirements for applicants applying overseas?

The same 50 mm × 60 mm, plain white background, ICAO-compliant photo is required at Turkish diplomatic missions abroad. The Los Angeles Consulate General notes that the US standard 2-inch × 2-inch format is also accepted at that specific mission.

Related documents

• Turkey Passport
• Turkey Driving Licence
• Turkey Residence Ikamet
• Turkey Visa

Official sources

• NVI — Biometric photo requirements (biyometrik fotoğraf nasıl olmalıdır)
• NVI — ID card application process (kimlik kartı işlemleri)
• NVI — Turkish identity card (TC Kimlik Kartı)
• Turkish consulates FAQ — konsolosluk.gov.tr
• Turkish Consulate General Los Angeles — photo and application requirements
• Wikipedia — Turkish identity card
• APA — Azerbaijani-Turkish mutual ID card travel (1 April 2021)
• Turkey-Invest — Countries accepting Turkish ID for travel
• DamasTurk — Turkey ID card and passport fees 2025