Mexico's Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) requires passport photos measuring exactly 35×45 millimeters (1.38×1.77 inches). This rectangular format is standard across most ICAO-member countries, making it easier for Mexican citizens who also hold dual citizenship to use the same photos for multiple passports.
At 300 DPI print resolution, this translates to 413×531 pixels for digital submissions. The Mexican government's online portal accepts JPEG files within specific size ranges — typically between 30KB and 2MB. Staying within the middle range (roughly 100KB to 500KB) ensures reliable uploads without compression artifacts.
The head height must occupy 60-80% of the photo's vertical dimension. This means your face should fill most of the frame without touching the edges. Too small, and facial features become indistinct. Too large, and critical elements may get cropped during printing.
Exact Mexican Passport Photo Size Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Width | 35mm / 1.38″ / 413px |
| Height | 45mm / 1.77″ / 531px |
| Aspect ratio | 7:9 |
| Minimum DPI | 300 |
| File format | JPEG |
| File size | 30KB–2MB (online portal) |
| Background | White |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
Get a compliant passport photo online
Mexican Passport Photo Size vs Other Countries
Mexico uses the standard ICAO 35×45mm format shared by most of Europe and much of Asia. This is useful for dual citizens:
| Country | Size | Compatible? |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 35×45mm | — |
| France / Germany / Italy | 35×45mm | ✅ Same size |
| United Kingdom | 35×45mm | ✅ Same size |
| United States | 51×51mm | ❌ Square, wrong size |
| Canada | 50×70mm | ❌ Much larger |
| India | 35×35mm | ❌ Square, wrong height |
If you hold dual Mexican-US citizenship, you need two separate photos — the US square format is incompatible with Mexico's rectangular format. If you hold Mexican and European dual citizenship, a single set of photos may work for both.
Mexican Passport Photo Head Height: The 60–80% Rule
The SRE requires your head — measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the skull (not hair) — to fill between 60% and 80% of the photo's 45mm vertical space.
In concrete terms:
- Minimum (60%): 27mm from chin to crown
- Maximum (80%): 36mm from chin to crown
- Target (70%): approximately 31.5mm — the safest position
If your face is too small in the frame — a common result of standing too far back or taking a selfie at arm's length — the SRE portal will reject it before a human ever sees it. If it's too large, the top of your head or chin may clip the frame edges, which also triggers automatic rejection.
Practical tip: When framing the shot, make sure your shoulders are visible at the bottom of the photo. If they're cut off, you're likely too close. If there's a large gap between your shoulders and the bottom edge, you may be too far.
Glasses and Appearance Rules for Mexican Passport Photos
The SRE's appearance rules directly affect how you frame the photo:
- Glasses: Not permitted. Remove all eyewear, including prescription glasses and sunglasses. This eliminates glare problems and ensures the biometric system can read your full eye area.
- Expression: Neutral with mouth closed. No smiling, no frowning. Even a slight smile changes the facial geometry enough to complicate biometric matching.
- Hair: Must not cover your face, forehead, or ears. If you have long hair, pull it behind your ears.
- Head coverings: Only permitted for documented religious reasons. The full face from forehead to chin must remain visible.
Where to Get a Correctly Sized Mexican Passport Photo
SRE offices: Many delegaciones have on-site photo services. These guarantee compliance because they photograph to the exact SRE specification daily. Expect to pay 80-150 pesos.
Photo studios (fotógrafos): Dedicated passport photo shops exist near every SRE office and most government buildings. Ask for "foto tamaño pasaporte mexicano" — specifically "pasaporte," not "infantil" or "credencial," which are different sizes.
Pharmacies and convenience stores: Chains like Farmacias Guadalajara, Farmacias del Ahorro, and some OXXO locations offer passport photo services. Prices range from 50-100 pesos. Quality varies — check that the print measures exactly 35×45mm before leaving.
INE photo shops: Many shops that take INE (voter ID) photos also do passports, but the INE photo has different dimensions. Make sure they switch to the passport format.
SRE Online Portal Upload Requirements for Mexican Photos
The SRE online portal accepts JPEG uploads between 30KB and 2MB. The portal runs automated checks before any human reviews your application:
- Dimension check: Image must be at the correct 7:9 aspect ratio
- Resolution check: Must be at least 413×531 pixels at 300 DPI
- Quality check: Blurry, pixelated, or over-compressed images are flagged
The most frustrating part: when the portal rejects a photo, it often gives a generic error without specifying which requirement failed. Use a compliance checker before uploading to identify the specific issue.
Common Mexican Passport Photo Sizing Errors
Using a US 2×2 inch photo. This is the most common mistake for Mexican-Americans and dual citizens. The US uses a 51×51mm square — completely incompatible with Mexico's 35×45mm rectangle. You cannot crop a square photo into the correct rectangle without losing critical content. You need a separate photo.
Asking for "foto tamaño infantil." The infantil size (25×30mm) is for school IDs and other documents, not passports. At photo shops, always specify "tamaño pasaporte" explicitly.
Face too small in the frame. Arm's-length selfies typically produce a face that occupies 40-50% of the frame — well below the 60% minimum. Either use a tripod at the right distance or have someone else take the photo.
Wrong aspect ratio from phone cameras. Most phone cameras shoot at 4:3 or 16:9 by default. Mexico requires 7:9. If you crop a 4:3 photo to 7:9, you lose significant content from the sides. Set your camera to the closest matching ratio before shooting, then fine-tune the crop.
Uploading an over-compressed JPEG. If your file is under 30KB, the SRE portal will reject it. But heavy JPEG compression also creates visible artifacts around the face — blocky patches around the eyes, nose, and mouth that the automated quality check may flag.
Verifying Your Mexican Passport Photo Size Before Submission
Before submitting, open your photo in editing software and verify dimensions. The image should measure exactly 35×45mm at 300 DPI. If the software shows different default DPI settings, adjust accordingly.
Check that your face is centered and properly proportioned. The head should occupy 60-80% of vertical space. In practical terms, this means your face is large enough to clearly show features but not so large that hair or chin gets cropped.
Use our passport photo checker to validate your image before applying. This free tool analyzes your photo against Mexican requirements and identifies specific issues.
For travelers applying from the US or Canada through Mexican consulates, requirements remain identical. Don't assume consulate offices have different standards — they follow the same SRE guidelines as domestic offices.
Getting the size right is your first step toward a successful Mexican passport application. The 35×45mm specification is precise. Any deviation, however minor, triggers automatic rejection. Take time to verify compliance before submitting.
For background color rules, see our guide on Mexican passport photo background requirements. View all Mexican passport photo specifications on the Mexico passport photo hub.
