French Carte Nationale d'Identité (CNI) photos must be 35×45mm with a white background and no glasses — the same standard as the French passport. The process is managed through the ANTS portal (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés), and in most cases you'll need a special e-photo code from a certified photomaton rather than a printed photo you bring from home.
French CNI Photo Specifications (35×45mm, No Glasses)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 35×45mm |
| Background | White |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Head coverings | Religious reasons only |
| Photo age | Taken within 6 months |
| Standard | ANTS biometric standard |
The Carte Nationale d'Identité and French passport share identical photo specifications. One photo session covers both if you're applying for or renewing them at the same time.
Get a compliant passport photo online
The e-Photo System: How It Works in France
France has largely moved to a digital photo submission system called e-photo. Rather than bringing a printed photo to your mairie appointment, you get your photo taken at a certified photomaton (automated photo booth) and receive an e-photo code — a numeric code linked to your biometric photo stored in the government system.
The process:
- Visit a certified photomaton (at post offices, supermarkets, train stations, pharmacies). La Poste has one of the largest networks.
- Select the "titre d'identité" or "CNI/Passeport" option on the machine.
- The machine takes your photo, applies biometric checks, and prints a small slip with a 9-digit e-photo code.
- When you fill in your pre-demande on the ANTS portal (ants.gouv.fr), you enter this code.
- Your photo is automatically attached to your application — no printed photo needed at the mairie appointment.
This system significantly reduces rejection rates, because the photomaton applies the same biometric checks that ANTS uses. If the machine accepts your photo, ANTS will too.
Applying for a Carte Nationale d'Identité: Step by Step
Step 1: Pre-demande on ANTS. Go to ants.gouv.fr and start a pre-demande for a CNI. You'll enter personal information and your e-photo code. The system generates a pre-demande number.
Step 2: Book an appointment at your mairie. CNI applications are processed at the mairie (town hall). You book through the ANTS portal or directly via your municipality's website. In larger cities, appointments can be several weeks out — book early.
Step 3: Attend the appointment. Bring your pre-demande number, supporting documents (proof of identity, proof of address, birth certificate for first-time applicants), and your old CNI if renewing. The mairie officer completes the biometric capture and submits the application.
Step 4: Collect the card. Processing takes 2–4 weeks. The card is available for collection at your mairie.
Fee: The CNI is free. First issuance and renewal both cost nothing — one of the few European national identity documents with no fee attached. (There is a €25 fee if you can't present your previous CNI when renewing — this is the "titre perdu ou volé" surcharge.)
Validity: 15 years for adults, 10 years for minors under 18.
What If You Use a Printed Photo for a French CNI?
Some mairies, particularly in rural areas or smaller towns, may still accept a physical printed photo instead of an e-photo code. The photo must meet the same specifications: 35×45mm, white background, no glasses, biometric-standard framing. Ask your mairie in advance whether they accept prints.
If you're submitting a printed photo, use a certified photomaton or a professional photographer. Home printer quality is typically insufficient for biometric applications.
CNI vs Passport: Same Photo, Different Process
The French passport uses identical photo specifications. But the application process differs:
- CNI: Via ANTS → mairie
- Passport: Via ANTS → mairie (same portal, same appointment booking, same mairie visit)
In practice, many people renew their CNI and passport at the same appointment. Some mairies allow this; others require separate appointments. One e-photo session produces a code usable for both.
Using Your French Carte d'Identité for EU Travel
The Carte Nationale d'Identité is valid for EU/EEA travel. French nationals can use it instead of a passport throughout the Schengen zone and beyond (it's accepted in the UK for French nationals, for example, under bilateral arrangements). The photo embedded in the card is the biometric image submitted during application.
When the CNI expires, a new photo is required — the old photo isn't carried over.
Common CNI Photo Rejection Issues at the Mairie
Photo taken more than 6 months ago. The biometric standard requires a recent photo. If you use old photos from a previous application, they'll be flagged.
Wrong background. France requires a white background. Coloured, patterned, or off-white backgrounds cause rejection.
Poor head framing. The face should fill 70–80% of the 35×45mm frame. Photos taken for documents from other countries sometimes have different framing ratios (the US 2×2 inch format, for instance, frames slightly differently).
Invalid e-photo code. E-photo codes expire after 6 months. If you get your photo taken early and delay the application, check the code expiry before your mairie appointment.
The passportsize-photo.online checker validates French CNI compliance — background, framing, and biometric checks — before you commit to the ANTS pre-demande.
Expression and Appearance Rules for French CNI 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 only; full face from chin to forehead must remain visible
- No heavy makeup or accessories — the photo should represent your everyday appearance
- Clean, even lighting — no shadows on face or background
- Recent photo — taken within the last 6 months
French Document Photo Comparison
| Document | Size | Background | Glasses | Smile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carte d'Identité (CNI) | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| French Passport | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Permis de Conduire | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Titre de Séjour | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Carte Vitale | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
All French identity documents share the same 35×45mm / white background / no-glasses specification. One compliant photo session — or one e-photo code from a certified photomaton — covers every French document application.
Common Carte d'Identité Photo Rejection Reasons
- Glasses present — France banned glasses from all identity document photos; even clear lenses are rejected
- Non-white background — grey, cream, or coloured backgrounds fail ANTS validation
- Shadows on background — uneven lighting creates grey patches that fail automated checks
- Wrong size — submitting photos cropped for another country's standard
- Photo too old — must be taken within the last 6 months
Quick Checklist for French Carte d'Identité Photos
- Size: 35×45mm
- Background: white
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed
- No glasses (any type)
- Photo taken within 6 months
- E-photo code from certified photomaton (for ANTS)
- ANTS pré-demande completed
- Mairie appointment booked
- Supporting documents assembled
Also see: French passport photo size and requirements | France passport photo background rules | Full France photo guide
