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Passport-photo

Webpagina | 25-09-2007


The Photo Matrix


From 26 August 2006, Dutch travel documents - Dutch passports and Dutch identity cards - contain a chip in which a facial image is stored. This is obtained by scanning a passport photograph that meets the requirements set out in Appendix L to the Passport Regulations, the Photo Matrix (2007 Model). A passport photo submitted with an application for a travel document will only be accepted if it meets all the requirements in the photo matrix. For more information on the technical aspects of the photo requirements see ISO/IEC 19794-5:2005.
 
Below are the requirements set out in the Photo Matrix (2007 Model). Specimen photos can be found in the Photo Matrix, which can be downloaded (see "downloads").

1) The text of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2252/204 of 13 December 2004 (in Dutch) can be found at www.minbzk.nl.
 
PHOTO MATRIX (2007 MODEL)  (Appendix L)
Acceptance criteria for passport photos for Dutch travel documents
The purpose of the photograph is to identify the applicant, so applicants for travel documents are required to submit a colour passport photo that is a good likeness. It will only be accepted if it meets all the requirements below, unless an exemption is made under the Passport Regulations.
 
1. Size
 
The passport photo must be 35 by 45 mm (width x height).
 
Width:        from ear to ear, between 16 mm and 20 mm.
Height:      from age 11: from chin to crown, between 26 mm and 30 mm.
                 up to age 11: from chin to crown, between 19 mm and 30 mm.
You can check the size using the accompanying transparency.
 
2.  Photo Quality

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
  • In colour
  • A true likeness
  • Natural representation
  • In focus, sufficient contrast, discernible fine facial features
  • Undamaged
  • Not a reproduction (copy)
  • Not manipulated
  • Printed on high-quality, smooth photo paper
  • Minimum 400 dpi resolution
 
NOTES
The photo is in focus and is a true likeness and natural representation of the applicant. The photo shows sufficient contrast and fine features of the face, and the facial colouring is natural.
 
By high-quality, smooth photo paper, we mean paper intended for printing photos. The paper contains no raised surfaces or any other tangible or visible irregularities that might distort the appearance of the applicant.
 
The photographer needs to know that the photo must be 400 dpi and judge whether the photo looks as if its minimum resolution is 400 dpi.
 
The photo appears in black and white on the travel document, but is stored in colour on the microchip.
 
 
3.  Background
 
 
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
  • Light grey, pale blue, or white
  • Uniformly lit
  • One colour only
  • No merging of colours
  • Sufficient contrast between head and background
 
NOTES
The background colour must be light grey, pale blue, or white. The background must be even, in a single colour, and without shadow or merging colours.
There must be sufficient contrast between the head and the background.
 
Insufficient contrast reduces the clarity of the photograph in the travel document.
 
 
4. Facial appearance
 
 
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
  • Head uncovered
  • Face entirely visible
  • Eyes entirely visible
 
NOTES
The eyes and the whole face must be entirely visible. Hair that falls over the eyes (or parts of the eyes such as the eyelids) or otherwise hides part of the face can be an obstacle to human or electronic facial recognition.
The width of the face (from ear to ear) cannot be determined if the sides of the face are covered. This does not mean that the ears themselves must be visible.
 
No shadows, especially around the eyes, no reflections from accessories such as ribbons and earrings should be visible on the face.
 
Head covering is permitted only for religious, philosophical, or medical reasons (see Exceptions).
 
 
5. Position
 
 
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
  • Head facing forward
  • Eyes on a horizontal line
  • Head not tilted to one side
  • Shoulders straight
  • No visible support
 
NOTES
The head and the shoulders must appear straight from the front. If the head is tilted backward, forward, or to one side, or the face is pointed to the side, human or electronic facial recognition may be obstructed.
 
Support may not be visible on the photograph, so the supporter's hands should be hidden beneath the subject's clothes.
 
 
6. Facial expression
 
 
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
  • Neutral facial expression
  • Looking straight at the camera
  • Mouth closed
 
NOTES
If the applicant's face is to be recognised successfully by human or electronic means, the applicant must be photographed looking straight at the camera with a neutral expression and a closed mouth.
Applicants may not smile broadly or open their mouths - which does not mean that they have to look surly or sullen.
 
 
7. Eyeglasses
 
 
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
  • Eyes entirely visible
  • Fully transparent lenses
  • No distortion caused by reflection from the eyeglasses
  • No shadow
 
NOTES
The eyes must be entirely visible on the photo. This means that eyeglass frames and/or lenses may not cover the eyes in any way.
Reflection in the lenses or on the frame must be prevented as far as possible. If it is not possible to prevent reflection, the applicant must take off the glasses.
 
 
8. Exposure
 
 
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
  • Uniformly lit
  • Not overexposed or underexposed
  • No shadow on the face or the background
  • No reflection on the face
  • No reflection caused by accessories
 
NOTES
The face and the background must be uniformly lit. Underexposure or overexposure, shadow, and reflection must always be prevented.
 
The face may not contain white spots, as sometimes caused by a flash. Reflection can be caused by glowing skin, sweat, eyeglasses, jewellery, etc.
 
 
9. Framing
 
 
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
  • Head fully visible
  • Head centred
 
NOTES
The applicant must appear in the middle of the photograph. The head must be fully visible.
 
Only if an applicant has a high hairstyle may some of the hair not be shown.
 
 
EXCEPTIONS
The Passport Regulations permit the following exceptions:
 
RELIGIOUS OR PHILOSOPHICAL REASONS
If the applicant can demonstrate religious or philosophical reasons for covering the head, all the acceptance criteria described in the Guidelines are applicable, except:
- category 4 APPEARANCE OF FACE 'head uncovered'.
 
PHYSICAL OR MEDICAL REASONS
Applicants who are unable to comply with all the acceptance criteria in these Photo Matrix Guidelines due to physical or medical reasons that can be objectively determined qualify for exemption. If there is any doubt about the medical reasons, the applicant may be required to submit a declaration signed by a competent doctor or medical organisation.
 
APPLICANTS YOUNGER THAN AGE SIX
If the applicant is a child younger than six years, minimum requirements apply to the passport photo.
The minimum requirements are all the acceptance criteria in the Photo Matrix Guidelines except:
- category 5 POSTURE 'eyes on a horizontal line', 'head not tilted to one side', and 'shoulders straight';
- category 6 EXPRESSION 'neutral expression', 'looking straight at the camera', and 'mouth closed'.
 

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