What size is a Costa Rican Passport photo?

35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches). We render the file at 413 x 531 pixels (300 DPI).

How big should the head be in a Costa Rica passport photo?

Head 70 to 80 percent of the photo height (no geometry published (no photograph is listed among the requirements); ICAO Doc 9303 crown-to-chin 70 to 80 per cent of the 45 mm height applied as a reference). Our tool places the crop inside this range automatically and shows the guide lines so you can see it.

How recent does the photo have to be?

Taken within the last 6 months. Our tool reads the date from your photo file and warns you if it is older.

Can I take the photo myself with my phone?

Yes. Use the rear camera if you can, stand about 1.5 metres (5 feet) from the camera in front of a plain wall, face a window for even light, and have someone else press the button or use the timer. Our live guide shows where your head should be.

Costa Rican Passport Photo (no print listed by the DGME; ICAO 35 x 45 mm reference): size and requirements

Q: Can I wear glasses in a costa rican passport photo (no print listed by the dgme; icao 35 x 45 mm reference)?

Yes, provided there is no glare on the lenses, the frames do not cover your eyes, and the lenses are not tinted.

Q: Is this the official Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería de Costa Rica (DGME), 'Pasaportes y Permisos de Salida', with the ICAO Doc 9303 Part 3 reference frame website?

No. We are an independent tool that prepares the photo. You apply for the document with Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería de Costa Rica (DGME), 'Pasaportes y Permisos de Salida', with the ICAO Doc 9303 Part 3 reference frame. The requirements on this page are quoted from their official page, linked above, and were last checked on 2026-10-10.

The Costa Rican Passport Photo size is 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches). Not published; white is our rendering choice for the reference frame; head 70 to 80 percent of the photo height. Photo taken within the last 6 months. Last verified 2026-10-10 against Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería de Costa Rica (DGME), 'Pasaportes y Permisos de Salida', with the ICAO Doc 9303 Part 3 reference frame.

For a Costa Rican passport issued for the first time or renewed by appointment at a Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería office, a Banco de Costa Rica branch or a Correos de Costa Rica VES counter, by adults with their cédula and by minors with their parents (who sign the exit permit at the same visit). The DGME's requirement lists name no photograph and do not say who takes the picture, so this page is a reference frame. Not for the cédula, a Costa Rican visa, the DIMEX residence card or a driving licence.

Check with the DGME, BCR or Correos counter when you book: the published list names no photograph and does not say who takes the picture, so treat our 35 x 45 mm ICAO print as a fallback, not an official format. See all Costa Rica documents.

Make this photo for $6.99 Read the full rules

Sunlit airport terminal with travellers and long shadows

VerifiedNo national rule published; ICAO 9303 standard appliesLast checked 2026-10-10Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería de Costa Rica (DGME), 'Pasaportes y Permisos de Salida', with the ICAO Doc 9303 Part 3 reference frame

Requirements at a glance

Size: 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches)
Head height: Head 70 to 80 percent of the photo height (no geometry published (no photograph is listed among the requirements); ICAO Doc 9303 crown-to-chin 70 to 80 per cent of the 45 mm height applied as a reference)
Background: not published; white is our rendering choice for the reference frame
Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking at the camera
Glasses: Allowed without glare or tint
Head covering: Only for religious or medical reasons; full face visible
Photo age: Taken within the last 6 months
We deliver: 413 x 531 px (300 DPI), plus a 4 x 6 inch print sheet

What trips people up

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No photo is on the list. First passport, adult: 'Persona mayor de edad Cédula de identidad en buen estado y vigente. Comprobante de depósito cambiario.' Renewal adds 'Si el pasaporte actual está vigente, deberá presentarlo el día de la cita, así como fotocopia de la hoja de calidad o datos del pasaporte.' Nothing on the page says whether the counter photographs you or wants a print, so ask when booking.
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Appointment only: 'Para el trámite de pasaporte, ya sea por primera vez o renovación, se debe solicitar una cita.' and 'No se otorgarán citas de forma presencial.' Book through the DGME Citas Web portal, the 1311 call centre (Migración offices and VES-Correos) or the BCR call centre 800-2272482 / bcrcita.bancobcr.com for bank branches.
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Fee: a deposit to the Government of Costa Rica at Banco de Costa Rica account 254896-8 for '$75.00 (setenta y cinco dólares) más 250.00 colones (doscientos cincuenta colones)' in the applicant's name; 'El entero debe ser cancelado un día antes de la cita.' except at BCR branches, where you pay at the appointment, and Correos/BCR add a cash surcharge.
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Minors: the exit permit is signed at the same appointment, so both parents attend with their cédulas (at Migración, one parent suffices if the permit is unchanged); over-12s bring the TIM minor's card and a copy. Under-12s need a birth certificate less than a year old.
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Abroad: 'Si usted es una persona costarricense que vive fuera de Costa Rica, y requiere solicitar su pasaporte, deberá contactar al consulado más cercano para conocer el procedimiento para su solicitud (si requiere o no sacar cita, horarios, entre otros).' The booklet is then sent via Correos de Costa Rica.
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The page was read from a Wayback capture of 4 April 2024 ('Last modified at 22/02/2024 21:23 by DGME') because the live site blocks automated readers; re-check fees and channels before booking.
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Everything geometric here (35 x 45 mm, 70-80 % head, six months) is the ICAO Doc 9303 reference, flagged as such; the DGME publishes no photo format.

Source and verification

VerifiedLast checked 2026-10-10Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería de Costa Rica (DGME), 'Pasaportes y Permisos de Salida', with the ICAO Doc 9303 Part 3 reference frame

No national rule published; ICAO 9303 standard applies. Last checked 2026-10-10 (archived copy dated 2024-04-04) at Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería de Costa Rica (DGME), 'Pasaportes y Permisos de Salida', with the ICAO Doc 9303 Part 3 reference frame.

Persona mayor de edad Cédula de identidad en buen estado y vigente. Comprobante de depósito cambiario.
El entero debe ser cancelado un día antes de la cita.
Si el pasaporte actual está vigente, deberá presentarlo el día de la cita, así como fotocopia de la hoja de calidad o datos del pasaporte.
Para el trámite de pasaporte, ya sea por primera vez o renovación, se debe solicitar una cita.
No se otorgarán citas de forma presencial.
por un monto de $75.00 (setenta y cinco dólares) más 250.00 colones (doscientos cincuenta colones), a nombre de la persona que solicitará el pasaporte, sea mayor o menor de edad.
Si usted es una persona costarricense que vive fuera de Costa Rica, y requiere solicitar su pasaporte, deberá contactar al consulado más cercano para conocer el procedimiento para su solicitud (si requiere o no sacar cita, horarios, entre otros).
Last modified at 22/02/2024 21:23 by DGME
Submitted portraits should be 45.0 mm x 35.0 mm (1.77 in x 1.38 in) in dimension.
The crown-to-chin portion of the facial image shall be 70 to 80 per cent of the longest dimension defined for Zone V, maintaining the aspect ratio between the crown-to-chin and ear-to-ear details of the face of the holder.

Quotes 1-8 are from the Wayback capture 20240404183739 of source.url (sources/cr/dgme-pasaportes-y-permisos-de-salida.txt, HTML tags stripped and whitespace collapsed; the live page answers a bot-verification wall, saved as sources/cr/dgme-home.txt). Quotes 9-10 are ICAO Doc 9303 Part 3 (sources/icao/icao-9303-part3-portrait-excerpt.txt, Wayback capture 2024-09-12). eligibility 'restricted' records that the list names no photograph and no sentence says who takes the picture. physical 35 x 45 mm, head 0.7-0.8, maxPhotoAgeMonths 6, background 'white', dpi 300, glasses and headCovering are ICAO-style defaults for the reference frame. Translations in parentheses are ours.

We are an independent service, not a government website. Applying for a passport or visa is done with your government; we only prepare the photo.

Frequently asked questions

Woman taking a selfie with her phone in front of a bright outdoor wall — A plain wall and daylight are enough.