South Africa · passport
South African passport photo — grey, not white
The South African passport photo is 35×45 mm with the head measuring 29–34 mm — but two rules surprise almost everyone: the official DHA leaflet asks for a light grey or plain cream background, not white, and the photos must be taken within ONE month of application, the shortest validity window of any major country.
- Size
- 35×45 mm
- Digital file
- 413×531 px JPEG
- Background
- light grey
- Head height
- 64.4–75.6%
- Price
- €5.99 · once
Select country and document
Step 1/3
Popular: · ·
- Head size62.4% · 50–69%
- Eye line61.2% · 56–69%
- Backgroundwhite · σ 6
- Lightingeven
- Resolution1832px
MEETS SPEC — ESTIMATED
Checked against the official specification — source cited on every document.
Worth knowing: Photos older than a month — fine everywhere else — fail South African intake. Print your sheet in the same week you apply, and keep the background grey or cream: a bright white wall is the other classic rejection.
How it works
01
Choose your document
58 documents across 29 destinations, each with the official specification built in.
02
Add your photo
Ten checks measure it live on your device — nothing is uploaded.
03
Pay once, download everything
Exact-spec file, print sheet and compliance report. One price, no subscription.
What is a South Africa Passport photo?
A South African passport photo is a 35×45 mm print with the head at 29–34 mm, on a light grey or plain cream background — the official DHA leaflet explicitly steers away from white — taken within one month of the application, the shortest validity window of any major country.
Two identical prints go with applications at traditional offices and most foreign missions, while Smart ID card sites (banks, eHomeAffairs) capture the photo live. Untinted glasses are acceptable without heavy frames or reflections.
Two identical prints are required at traditional offices; Smart ID card sites capture the photo live instead. Check your photo against the DHA geometry and background rules live in your browser, then print the exact sheet fresh.
South Africa Passport photo requirements
| Size | 35×45 mm · 413×531 px @300 DPI |
|---|---|
| Digital file | 413×531px JPEG |
| Background | light grey |
| Head height | 64.4–75.6% of frame height |
| Digital upload | not accepted — printed photos only |
| Background editing | permitted (uniform backgrounds only) |
- Two identical 35×45 mm photos, head 29–34 mm, taken within ONE MONTH — the shortest validity window of any major country.
- Official DHA leaflet specifies a light grey or plain cream background, not white; Smart ID offices capture the photo live instead.
Source: official requirements · verified 2026-07
What you get for €5.99
- High-resolution file in the exact spec (413×531px)
- Compliance report — everything we measured, printable
- Print-ready 10×15 cm sheet with 4 copies and cut lines
- Background cleanup to plain light grey
one-time payment — no subscription
Photos that pass
- Exact dimensions — 413×531px
- Plain light grey background, evenly lit
- Head filling 64.4–75.6% of the frame
- Taken in the last 6 months, neutral expression
Photos that get rejected
- Edited, filtered or AI-retouched photos
- Shadows on the face or background
- Busy walls, gradients or the wrong background colour
- Head too large, too small, or off-centre
- Glare on glasses or tinted lenses
- Old photos, or photos of printed photos
Why PassportClerk
Private by architecture
The free check runs on your device, and paid photos are deleted after 48 hours.
Measured, not guessed
Ten checks against the official specification — with the numbers shown, not a vague thumbs-up.
Exact files, first time
Correct pixels, DPI and file size for the portal, plus a print-ready sheet.
Fair by default
One price, no subscription. Wrong files? We fix them or refund you.
Frequently asked questions
What background does a South African passport photo need?
Light grey or plain cream per the official DHA leaflet — not pure white. Our background check measures the shade against that expectation and warns you before you pay.
How recent must the photos be?
Taken within one month of the application. Two identical 35×45 mm prints on photographic paper; black-and-white is acceptable for some ID uses, colour is the safe default.
What are the size rules?
35×45 mm with the head 29–34 mm chin to crown (roughly 64–76% of the frame), eyes open looking directly at the camera, no hair across the eyes, neutral expression.
What about Smart ID offices?
Bank branches and eHomeAffairs Smart ID sites photograph you live — no prints needed there. Printed photos remain required at traditional DHA offices and most foreign missions.
Compliance, honestly
- We validate your photo against the official rules — we never retouch your face, and we only normalize the background where the destination country permits it.
- Every requirement is cited from official government sources, with the verification date shown on the page.
- You get a measured report, not a guarantee — final acceptance always rests with the issuing authority.
official requirements · verified 2026-07