Brazil CTPS (Carteira de Trabalho e Previdência Social) photos must be 30×40mm — the standard "3×4" format used across Brazilian domestic documents. The physical card requires one printed 3×4 photo. The photo standard is the same as the RG and CNH: white background, no glasses. See the Brazil document photo overview for how all Brazilian documents compare.
Since 2019, the digital CTPS (Carteira de Trabalho Digital) has replaced the physical card for most workers. If you're using the digital CTPS via the Carteira de Trabalho Digital app, no photo submission is required. Both are covered below.
Photo Specifications (Physical CTPS)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Print size | 30×40mm (3×4cm) |
| Digital size | 354×472 pixels |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Background | White |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Expression | Natural |
| Photos required | One print |
Get a compliant passport photo online
Digital CTPS vs Physical Card: Do You Need a Photo?
Brazil's Ministry of Labour launched the Carteira de Trabalho Digital in 2019. The digital card is tied to your CPF number and accessible through the app (available on iOS and Android) or through the gov.br portal. For employment contracts, vacation records, payslips, and all formal employment documentation, the digital CTPS is legally equivalent to the physical card.
The practical result: millions of Brazilian workers have never obtained a physical CTPS card. Employers operating in the formal sector are legally required to accept the digital card.
Physical CTPS is still required in some situations
- Workers in sectors that have not fully adopted digital processes (some construction sites, agriculture, domestic work arrangements with older employers)
- Applications to certain benefits or programs that still reference the physical document number
- Older employment records — historical work history in the physical CTPS cannot always be transferred digitally and may need to be presented physically for benefit calculations (INSS, FGTS)
If you need a physical CTPS and don't have one, you apply at a Ministério do Trabalho service point, a SINE (Sistema Nacional de Emprego) office, or via the online system where available.
Applying for a Physical CTPS Work Card
Physical CTPS issuance is handled by the Secretaria de Trabalho (Ministry of Labour). The application process:
- Book an appointment at a Ministério do Trabalho service point or SINE office (required in most states)
- Bring your original documents: birth certificate (certidão de nascimento) or RG, CPF card, proof of residency
- Bring one 3×4 (30×40mm) printed photo
- The officer processes your application and issues the CTPS at the counter or sends it by mail within a few days
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
| Processing time | Same day (most cases) |
| Issued by | Secretaria de Trabalho / Ministry of Labour |
| Photo format | 30×40mm (3×4cm), white background |
CTPS Uses the Same 3×4 Photo Format as RG and CNH
The CTPS uses the identical 3×4 format as the RG and the CNH. All three require a 30×40mm print with a white background. This is the standard Brazilian domestic document photo format.
If you have a sheet of 3×4 prints — a standard photo studio session produces 6 prints — you likely have enough for all three documents in one session. One print goes to the CTPS, one or two to the RG, one to the CNH. Have a few extra on hand for school enrolment forms, club memberships, or professional registration applications that also use 3×4 photos.
Replacing a Lost or Damaged CTPS
If your physical CTPS is lost or damaged and you need it for historical employment records, you can apply for a replacement using the same process as first issuance. The historical employment records (anotações) that were in the physical book are gone if the book is lost — they cannot be reconstructed automatically. You may be able to recover employment records through former employers' HR departments, INSS, or CAGED data, but this requires effort.
For workers with long formal employment histories in the physical CTPS, keep the book safe. It's the paper record of your working life in Brazil.
Photo Tips for Brazil CTPS Applications
The 3×4 photo for the CTPS follows the same rules as all Brazilian domestic document photos.
Background: White only. The same pure white standard applies here as for the RG.
Lighting: Even, no shadows on face or background. Natural light from a window (not directly behind you) can work well. Professional studio lighting is more consistent.
Expression: A neutral or natural expression is fine. There's no strict "no smile" rule for Brazilian domestic documents. A relaxed, natural expression photographs better than a forced neutral.
Glasses: Not allowed. Remove all eyewear before the photo session, including clear prescription lenses.
Since many workers applying for a physical CTPS will also be applying for an RG or CNH around the same time (for a first formal job), take all your photos in one studio session. Tell the photographer you need 3×4 photos for Brazilian documents. They'll know exactly what to do.
For digital verification, the passportsize-photo.online checker can confirm your photo meets background and dimension requirements before printing. If you're also applying for a Brazilian passport, remember that passport photos are a different size — 50×70mm, not 3×4cm. Don't use the same prints. See passportsize-photo.online pricing for single-photo and bulk verification options.
Expression and Appearance Rules for CTPS Photos
- Neutral expression — mouth closed, no smile, no frown
- Eyes open — both eyes fully visible, looking directly at the camera
- No glasses — all types banned without exception, including clear prescription lenses
- Hair away from face — forehead and both eyes clearly visible
- Head coverings — permitted for religious reasons; full face from chin to forehead must remain visible
- Clean, even lighting — no shadows on face or background
- Recent photo — taken within the last 6 months
Brazilian Document Photo Comparison
| Document | Size | Background | Glasses | Smile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTPS | 30×40mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| RG (Identity Card) | 30×40mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| CNH (Driver's Licence) | 30×40mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Brazilian Passport | 50×70mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
The CTPS, RG, and CNH all share the 30×40mm (3×4cm) format. The passport uses a larger 50×70mm (5×7cm) format — these are not interchangeable. One 3×4 photo session covers all three domestic documents.
Common CTPS Photo Rejection Reasons
- Glasses present — even clear prescription lenses are rejected
- Non-white background — off-white, cream, or coloured backgrounds fail
- Wrong size — submitting 50×70mm passport photos instead of 30×40mm
- Old or faded photo — prints must be recent and in good condition
- Photo does not match applicant — the photo must clearly represent your current appearance
Quick Checklist for Brazil CTPS Photos
- Size: 30×40mm (3×4cm)
- Background: white
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed
- No glasses (any type)
- 1 printed photo (for physical CTPS)
- CPF number ready
- RG or other identity document ready
