Israel Teudat Zehut Photo Requirements: Size, No-Glasses Rule

The Teudat Zehut (תעודת זהות) photo must be 35×45mm with a plain white background. No glasses — a categorical rule in Israel that applies equally to the national ID card and the Israeli passport. Expression must be neutral with mouth closed.

Israel Teudat Zehut Photo Specifications (35×45mm)

The Population and Immigration Authority (רשות האוכלוסין וההגירה), operating under the Misrad HaPnim (משרד הפנים / Ministry of Interior), enforces these specifications at all regional offices.

The No-Glasses Rule for Israeli Identity Documents

Israel does not permit glasses in Teudat Zehut photos. No exceptions for prescription glasses. The rule applies to the national ID and the Israeli passport alike, and it is categorical — not a preference, not a conditional prohibition based on glare.

The reasoning is biometric accuracy. Glasses frames and lens reflections can interfere with automated facial recognition matching. Israel adopted the strict ICAO interpretation that removes the variable entirely.

Most European countries allow glasses with conditions — Germany permits them if there's no glare, France permits them, Italy permits them. Israel does not. If you normally wear glasses full-time, remove them for the photo session. Contact lenses are fine; they don't affect the facial image.

This rule catches people preparing photos for the first time or coming from abroad where glasses are allowed. Know it before you book a photo session.

What Is the Teudat Zehut? Israel's National ID Card

The Teudat Zehut is the national identity document issued to all Israeli citizens. It's mandatory. Every Israeli citizen receives one at age 16.

The card contains full name, ID number (מספר תעודת זהות), date of birth, gender, nationality, and address. Since 2013, the physical card has been a credit card-sized polycarbonate document, replacing the older booklet format. It contains no biometric chip — unlike many European national ID cards — but the photograph is physically printed on the card.

The Sefach (ספח). Alongside the Teudat Zehut card comes the Sefach — a supplement booklet. It records family members registered at the same address: spouse, children. It's updated when family circumstances change (marriage, divorce, birth of a child). Unlike the card, the Sefach doesn't expire on a standard cycle. It's replaced when family information changes, not on a schedule.

Teudat Zehut Validity: No Standard Expiry Date

The Teudat Zehut has no standard expiry date. Once issued, it remains valid indefinitely — as long as the information it contains is current. Updates are required when your address changes, when your name changes following marriage or divorce, or if you want to update the photograph.

Photo updates are voluntary unless the card is being replaced for another reason. Many Israelis hold cards with photographs decades old. The Population Authority does not mandate periodic photo refreshes the way European countries do with their 10-year ID card cycles.

This is a meaningful difference from the European norm. A German Personalausweis requires renewal every 10 years regardless of how little has changed. An Israeli Teudat Zehut issued at age 16 may still be technically valid at age 50 if the holder has never changed address or name.

Applying for a Teudat Zehut at the Misrad HaPnim

The Population and Immigration Authority handles Teudat Zehut applications and updates at regional offices (לשכות) across Israel. Appointments are booked through the government portal at gov.il.

What you'll need

• Completed application form (available at the regional office or downloadable from gov.il)
• Your current Teudat Zehut (for updates or replacements)
• One compliant 35×45mm photo (white background, no glasses)
• For first-time issuance at age 16: birth certificate; a parent must accompany applicants under 17

Fees

• First issuance at age 16: Free
• Replacement (lost or damaged): Approximately 40–100 NIS, depending on circumstances
• Address or name update: Free or nominal fee

Teudat Zehut Processing Time and Collection

Standard processing takes 7–30 days. Cards are collected in person at the issuing office. Israel does not mail identity documents to home addresses as a general practice — collection in person is the standard.

Urgent replacement (for travel or where identity documentation is urgently needed) is available at some offices with supporting documentation of the urgency.

Where to Get Your Photo in Israel

Photography shops (צלמים / darkon photo studios). Look for signs reading צילומי דרכון (darkon photos — literally "passport photos"). These studios know the Israeli specifications, including the no-glasses rule. Cost is typically ₪15–30 for a set of prints.

Photo booths. Some shopping malls and post offices have booths calibrated for the Israeli biometric standard. Quality varies — check the print before leaving.

Getting photos taken abroad. For Israeli citizens living outside Israel, find a photographer who will produce 35×45mm white-background no-glasses photos. Specify the no-glasses requirement explicitly — many international photographers will assume glasses are fine unless told otherwise.

Same Photo as the Israeli Passport

Israeli passport specifications and Teudat Zehut specifications are identical: 35×45mm, white background, no glasses, neutral expression. One compliant photo session covers both documents. If you're applying for or renewing both around the same time, a single set of prints handles it.

Common Teudat Zehut Photo Rejection Reasons

Glasses present. The most common rejection at Population Authority offices. Remove glasses before the session.

Non-white background. Some studios default to grey or light blue for foreign passport standards. Israeli spec is pure white. Confirm the background before the photo is taken.

Uneven lighting. Shadows on the background or across the face fail the biometric check. A professional studio with proper biometric lighting eliminates this.

Wrong proportions. The face should occupy approximately 70–80% of the 35×45mm frame. Photos framed for a different country's ratio — US 2×2 inch, for example — may not meet the Israeli head-height requirement.

For a compliant Teudat Zehut photo, passportsize-photo.online checks your image against Israeli biometric standards — including the no-glasses detection and background white-point verification — before you visit the Population Authority.

Expression and Appearance Rules for Teudat Zehut 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 (kippa, tichel, hijab); face from chin to forehead must remain fully visible
• No heavy makeup — the photo should represent your everyday appearance
• Clean, even lighting — no shadows on face or background

Israeli Documents Compared: Teudat Zehut vs Passport

All three Israeli identity documents share the same specification. One photo session covers every document.

Quick Checklist for Israel Teudat Zehut Photo Submission

• Size: 35×45mm (413×531px at 300 DPI)
• Background: white
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed
• No glasses (any type — no exceptions)
• Photo taken within 6 months
• Appointment booked at gov.il
• Current Teudat Zehut ready (for updates/replacements)

Also see: Israel passport photo size and specs | Israel passport photo background requirements | Full Israel guide