New Zealand · photo maker
New Zealand Passport Photo (900×1200 px)
New Zealand Passport photo rules: 900–4500 px wide, light-coloured background, taken within 6 months. IDPlain checks your photo against each rule, tells you exactly what to fix, and makes the exact upload file for $3.99. We only crop and resize — never edit.
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Official requirements
- File
- 900×1200 px JPEG, up to 5000 KB, at least 250 KB
- Head size
- There must be a clear gap around the sides and top of your head. Your shoulders and upper chest should be included in the photo.
- Background
- There must be a strong contrast between your face and the background, and no shadows or objects behind your head.
- Glasses
- Prescription glasses OK if not tinted or thick-framed; clear gap eyes–frames; no glare; no sunglasses.
- Head covering
- You can only wear a head covering in your photo for religious or medical reasons.
- Expression
- Keep your expression neutral – no smiling; mouth closed, eyes open.
- Taken within
- 6 months
Source: passports.govt.nz. Last checked Nov 10, 2026.
Download these requirements as a one-page PDF to bring to the counter.
What we will not do
“Your image must show your natural appearance. Do not edit, apply filters, or use AI tools to modify how you look.”Official rule
“step back and take a wider shot, including your shoulders, then crop it to the correct head-size before submitting.”Official example of an altered photo
That's why IDPlain never replaces the background, retouches skin or "fixes" lighting. We check the photo you took and tell you how to retake it if something is off; then we only crop and resize it to the official size. Why we never edit the background
- ✓ Document
- 2 Photo
- 3 Check
- 4 Preview
- 5 Download
Before you shoot
- Plain, light wall
- Face a window
- Phone at eye level
- Neutral face, eyes open
Errors from the official upload
New Zealand Passport photo questions
Can I take my own New Zealand Passport photo at home?
Yes. A photo taken at home by a friend or family member is accepted if it meets the rules. The official guidance: “You can use a professional passport photo service or take a photo with your own device. … Selfies will be rejected.”
Can I wear glasses in my New Zealand Passport photo?
The official rule: “Prescription glasses OK if not tinted or thick-framed; clear gap eyes–frames; no glare; no sunglasses.”
Can I smile in my New Zealand Passport photo?
The official rule: “Keep your expression neutral – no smiling; mouth closed, eyes open.”
Can I wear a hat or head covering?
The official rule: “You can only wear a head covering in your photo for religious or medical reasons.”
How recent must the photo be?
It must have been taken within the last 6 months.
Can I edit the photo or change the background?
No. The official rule: “Your image must show your natural appearance. Do not edit, apply filters, or use AI tools to modify how you look.” That's why IDPlain only crops and resizes.
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