Frequently Asked Questions

According to the New Zealand Government's official passport website (passports.govt.nz), your photo must be: a colour portrait with 3:4 aspect ratio, in JPG or JPEG format, between 250KB and 5MB in size, 900-4500 pixels wide and 1200-6000 pixels high, and less than 6 months old. The background must be plain and light-coloured (light blue, grey, or cream recommended), with no shadows on the face or background.

No. According to the New Zealand Government, selfies are not accepted for passport photos because they distort facial proportions. Your photo must be taken by another person standing approximately 1.5 metres away from you. This is a strict requirement that applies to both adult and child passport applications.

For online applications, New Zealand passport photos must be 900-4500 pixels wide and 1200-6000 pixels high, with a 3:4 aspect ratio. For printed applications, photos should be 35mm x 45mm (3.5cm x 4.5cm). Your face must take up 60-65% of the image height (approximately 32-36mm from chin to crown).

At NZ Passport Photo, we offer completely free digital passport photo generation. Traditional photo services in New Zealand typically charge between $19-$25 per photo, with some charging up to $30 for baby passport photos. Our online tool provides the same compliant photos at no cost, with optional printable sheets available.

Yes, you can wear prescription glasses in your NZ passport photo, provided they are not tinted and do not create glare or reflections that obscure your eyes. Your eyes must be clearly visible. Sunglasses and heavily tinted lenses are not permitted under any circumstances.

You can verify your photo using the official New Zealand Government Photo Checker at onlinephotochecker.passports.govt.nz. This free tool checks your photo against all technical requirements including dimensions, file size, format, and quality. At NZ Passport Photo, we guarantee our photos will pass this official checker.

The New Zealand Government requires a plain, light-coloured background. Recommended colours include light blue, light grey, or cream. White backgrounds are generally not recommended. There must be strong contrast between your face and the background, with no shadows, patterns, or other people visible.

Using NZ Passport Photo's online tool, you can create a compliant passport photo in just 2-3 minutes. Simply upload a photo taken by someone else (not a selfie), and our system will automatically resize, adjust, and verify it meets all NZ Government requirements. Digital photos are available for immediate download.

Your NZ passport photo must be less than 6 months old at the time of application. This ensures your photo accurately represents your current appearance. Photos older than 6 months will be rejected by the passport office.

No, you should maintain a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Smiling with teeth showing is not permitted. You should look straight at the camera with a relaxed, natural face.

The New Zealand Government requires passport photos to be in JPG or JPEG format only. Other formats like PNG, GIF, or HEIC are not accepted for online passport applications.

Yes, you can use a photo taken with a smartphone as long as it meets all the requirements: taken by someone else (not a selfie), good lighting, plain background, and proper framing. The photo quality from modern smartphones is generally sufficient for passport photos.