The Russian internal passport (гражданский паспорт) requires a 35×45mm photo with a white background — the same specification as the Russian international passport (загранпаспорт). Same size. Same background. Same rules. One compliant photo session covers both documents.
Russian Internal Passport Photo Specifications
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size (print) | 35×45mm |
| Digital (at 300 DPI) | 413×531px |
| Background | Plain white |
| Head position | Centred, facing camera |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Permitted (no tinted lenses) |
| Head coverings | Not permitted (except religious reasons) |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
Get a compliant passport photo online
What Is the Russian Internal Passport?
The гражданский паспорт is the primary identity document for Russian citizens within Russia. It's not a travel document — that's the загранпаспорт (international passport). The internal passport is used for everything inside the country: opening a bank account, renting an apartment, registering at a clinic, buying a train ticket, getting married, applying for a job.
Foreign nationals rarely encounter it directly. But for Russian citizens, this document is more consequential in daily life than the international passport. Losing it creates serious administrative problems. Letting it expire can complicate transactions at banks and government offices.
The two passports are often confused — including by translation tools, which sometimes render гражданский паспорт as just "passport." They are different documents with different issuance authorities and different purposes.
When Do You Get and Renew the Russian Internal Passport?
Russia issues the internal passport at three fixed ages:
Age 14. Every Russian citizen receives their first гражданский паспорт at 14. This is mandatory. The photo on this first passport shows you as a teenager.
Age 20. The passport must be renewed. A new photo is taken. The 14-year-old image is replaced.
Age 45. The final mandatory renewal. After 45, the passport remains valid for life — there's no subsequent renewal unless the document is lost, damaged, or a name change occurs.
This age-linked renewal cycle is unusual internationally. Most countries issue identity documents for a fixed term regardless of age — 10 years, renew, repeat. Russia ties renewal to specific life stage checkpoints instead, which means the system also expects your appearance to have changed meaningfully by those milestones. A teenager's photo doesn't follow you to 45.
Applying for a Russian Internal Passport at MFC
Most Russians renew their internal passport at an МФЦ (Многофункциональный центр — Multifunctional Centre). These are government service hubs — think a one-stop shop for bureaucracy — and they're present in every Russian city and most large towns. No need to visit separate ministry offices for different services. The МФЦ handles passport applications, driving licence applications, tax certificates, and dozens of other government services under one roof.
Bring to your MFC appointment:
- Completed application form (available at the MFC)
- Your current or expired internal passport
- Birth certificate (for first-time applicants)
- Two 35×45mm compliant photos
- Document confirming registration address (for address update, if applicable)
- Payment confirmation — 300 RUB state fee (госпошлина)
Processing takes 10 days if applying at your registered address (место прописки), or 30 days if applying at a different location.
Applying for a Russian Internal Passport Through Gosuslugi
The Gosuslugi portal accepts passport renewal applications online. The digital photo upload spec is 413×531px JPEG with a white background. The portal validates the image before submission — it will flag wrong dimensions, off-white backgrounds, or incorrect face proportions.
The fee via Gosuslugi is 210 RUB — a 30% discount against the 300 RUB in-person rate. This discount is offered to incentivise digital adoption. For most applicants, the online route is both faster to initiate and cheaper.
Even with a Gosuslugi application, you'll attend a brief in-person appointment to hand over physical photos and have your fingerprints registered. Two 35×45mm prints are typically required at the МФЦ window. Bring three to be safe — the requirements vary slightly by office. The Gosuslugi portal submission queues your application; the in-person visit finalises it.
Internal vs International Passport: Key Differences
| Гражданский паспорт | Загранпаспорт | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Identity within Russia | International travel |
| Issuing authority | МФЦ / МВД | МФЦ / МВД (ГУВМ) |
| Format | Credit-card style, paper booklet | Machine-readable booklet |
| Photo size | 35×45mm | 35×45mm |
| Validity | To age 20, 45, then lifetime | 5 years (standard) or 10 years (biometric) |
The photo spec is identical. But the documents look completely different. The internal passport is a small paper booklet. The international passport is a biometric travel document.
Common Russian Internal Passport Photo Mistakes
Wrong photo size. Russia's driver's license requires 21×30mm. The work permit requires 30×40mm. Neither is the same as the 35×45mm internal passport spec. Confirm which document you're photographing for before printing.
Glasses with glare. Clear-lens glasses are permitted, but reflections cause automated rejections. Remove glasses or adjust positioning to eliminate glare.
Photo older than six months. The six-month rule is applied consistently. A photo taken for a different purpose eight months ago won't qualify.
Applying at the wrong age. Some applicants attempt to renew early and are told to return closer to the age-20 or age-45 threshold. The system enforces the age-linked renewal schedule.
Check your photo against the 35×45mm Russian standard with the passportsize-photo.online checker before your MFC appointment.
Expression and Appearance Rules for Russian Passport Photos
- Neutral expression — mouth closed, no smile, no frown
- Eyes open — both eyes fully visible, looking directly at the camera
- Glasses permitted — clear prescription lenses allowed; no tinted, coloured, or photochromic lenses; no visible reflections or glare
- 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
- Clean, even lighting — no shadows on face or background
- Recent photo — taken within the last 6 months
Russian Document Photo Comparison: Four Sizes Explained
| Document | Size | Background | Glasses | Smile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Passport | 35×45mm | White | Allowed | Not allowed |
| International Passport | 35×45mm | White | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Driver's License | 21×30mm | White | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Work Permit | 30×40mm | White | Allowed | Not allowed |
The internal and international passports share the 35×45mm format — one photo session covers both. The driver's license (21×30mm) and work permit (30×40mm) use different sizes. Do not mix sizes across applications. Russia is one of the few countries where glasses are still permitted in all identity document photos — many countries (including the US, France, and Australia) have banned them entirely.
Quick Checklist for Russian Internal Passport Photos
- Size: 35×45mm (two to three prints)
- Background: white
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed
- Glasses: clear lenses only, no glare (or remove for safety)
- Photo taken within 6 months
- Application submitted via Gosuslugi or at МФЦ
- Previous passport ready
- Supporting documents assembled
Also see: Russia passport photo size | Russian driver's license photo requirements | Full Russia guide
