New Zealand Citizenship Photo Online
35 × 45 mm · light grey background · Department of Internal Affairs (Citizenship Office)
$11.99 digital file
Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy
Rules last checked against Department of Internal Affairs (Citizenship Office) on 12 October 2026.
About this photo
A New Zealand Citizenship photo for the Department of Internal Affairs (Citizenship Office) is 35 by 45 mm when printed. Online, Online citizenship application takes an upload as a JPEG. A light grey or white background is accepted, as long as it is uniform and without pattern. Babies: lie on a plain sheet, photo from above, eyes open. A photo taken at home with a phone is fine provided it meets these rules; ask someone else to take it at eye level. Your head, chin to crown, should measure 32 to 36 mm on the print. Upload your picture and we size it for the New Zealand Citizenship, replace the background and verify the proportions before checkout.
Photo requirements
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Digital file | JPEG, for Online citizenship application |
| Background | light grey, also accepted: white |
| Head size | 70–80% of the photo height (32–36 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Allowed. Prescription glasses allowed if your eyes are still visible; no sunglasses. |
| Head coverings | Allowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face must be clearly visible. |
| Head position | Facing the camera, tilted no more than 10° |
| Other rules | Less than 6 months old; only you in the photo; Head and shoulders, looking directly at the camera; Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and not covered by hair; No selfies; someone else may take it on a phone; Babies: lie on a plain sheet, photo from above, eyes open |
Do
Don't
How it works
1. Take or upload a photo
Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.
2. We size and check it
We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.
3. Download and use it
Pay once, then download the digital file and the print sheet straight away.
If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.
Questions about New Zealand Citizenship photos
What size is a New Zealand Citizenship photo?
New Zealand Citizenship photos are 35 × 45 mm. The head should fill 70–80% of the photo height (32–36 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).
What background does a New Zealand Citizenship photo need?
A plain light grey background (white is also accepted), with no shadows, patterns or objects. We replace the background for you, but a plain wall gives the cleanest edges around your hair.
Can I wear glasses in a New Zealand Citizenship photo?
Yes. Prescription glasses allowed if your eyes are still visible; no sunglasses.
Can I smile in a New Zealand Citizenship photo?
No. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open.
Can I wear a head covering?
Allowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face must be clearly visible.
Can I take a New Zealand Citizenship photo at home?
Usually, yes, as long as it meets the rules above. Check the instructions for your application route, because final acceptance is always decided by Department of Internal Affairs (Citizenship Office). PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.
What file does the online application need?
A digital photo file: JPEG, for Online citizenship application. Your download is prepared to these settings.
How much does a New Zealand Citizenship photo cost in New Zealand?
$11.99 for the digital file, paid once. It includes a print-at-home sheet you can print at any photo shop.
What if something is wrong with my photo?
If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.
Official source: Department of Internal Affairs (Citizenship Office)
Read the rules on the authority's website: Department of Internal Affairs (Citizenship Office) (govt.nz).
Rules last checked against Department of Internal Affairs (Citizenship Office) on 12 October 2026.
Related pages
More photos in New Zealand
- Kiwi Access Card photo · 35 × 45 mm
- New Zealand Certificate of Identity photo · 35 × 45 mm
- New Zealand Driver Licence photo · 35 × 45 mm
- New Zealand Emergency Travel Document photo · 35 × 45 mm
- New Zealand Firearms Licence photo · 35 × 45 mm
- New Zealand International Driving Permit photo · 35 × 45 mm