Brazil Passport Photo Requirements
Brazilian passport photo specifications published for consular use set the format at 2 x 2 inches (about 50.8 x 50.8 mm) on a plain white background, taken within the last 6 months in colour. This guide covers the size, background, pose, glasses, head coverings and children's photos, and is explicit about what Brazil does not publish. Verified against the official MRE page, 2026-09-30.
The requirements at a glance
| Size | 2 x 2 inches (about 50.8 x 50.8 mm) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Colour | Colour, full-face |
| Framing | Face and shoulders fully visible and centred, looking at the camera |
| Lighting | No shadows, reflections or glare anywhere |
| Head length / pixels | Not published in the consular specification |
Size and background
The photograph must measure 2 x 2 inches — about 50.8 x 50.8 mm — and be taken full-face against a plain white background. It must be in colour and taken within the last 6 months. One practical warning from the same source: avoid wearing white clothing, because it can blend into the white background and blur the edge between you and the frame.
Pose, expression and glasses
Your face and shoulders must be fully visible and centred, with you looking directly at the camera. The expression must be neutral — no smiling and no frowning — and both eyes must be open and clearly visible. If you wear glasses, the lenses must not reflect light or flash, and sunglasses or glasses with thick or highly noticeable frames are not permitted under any circumstances. The lighting rule is strict: no shadows, reflections or glare are permitted anywhere in the photograph. For help with that, see the glasses guide and the backgrounds guide.
Head coverings and children
Hats and head coverings are not allowed, except those worn for religious reasons, and even then they must not obscure any part of the face. Photographs of young children must show the most neutral expression possible, with only the child's face and shoulders fully framed, and no toys, hands or other objects visible. The head coverings guide covers the religious-exemption paperwork, and the baby passport photo guide covers photographing infants.
What is not published
The consular specification retrieved for this page does not publish a head-length range or a pixel or file-size limit, so no figure is given here. It is also worth understanding the scope: this specification comes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consular (overseas) use. The body that handles passports inside Brazil does not publish a photo size on the page checked — so treat the 2 x 2 inch figure as the consular specification and confirm the requirement that applies where you are applying.
Common mistakes
- Wearing white clothing that blends into the white background.
- Glasses with reflective lenses, or sunglasses or thick frames.
- Any shadow, reflection or glare in the photo.
- A smiling or frowning expression instead of neutral.
- A child's photo that includes toys, hands or other objects.
For the visa photo (a separate requirement from the passport photo), see the Brazil visa photo page, and for sizes by country see photo sizes. To check your framing, the passport photo checker can help.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil (MRE) — Consulate-General in Chicago, "Passport photo – specifications" page (published 2023-01-06, updated 2026-06-29), retrieved 2026-09-30. This is the consular specification; requirements can change, so confirm them on the official page before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Brazilian passport photo?
The consular specification is 2 x 2 inches, which is about 50.8 x 50.8 mm. The photo must be taken full-face against a plain white background.
What background is required?
Plain white. You should also avoid wearing white clothing, because it can blend into the background.
How old can the photo be?
The consular specification requires the photo to be taken within the last 6 months, in colour.
Can I wear glasses?
If you wear glasses, the lenses must not reflect light or flash. Sunglasses, or glasses with thick or highly noticeable frames, are not permitted under any circumstances.
Can I wear a hat or head covering?
Hats and head coverings are not allowed, except for those worn for religious reasons, provided they do not obscure any part of the face.
What expression should I have?
A neutral facial expression with no smiling or frowning, both eyes open and clearly visible, and looking directly at the camera. Your face and shoulders must be fully visible and centred.
Are shadows or glare allowed?
No. No shadows, reflections or glare are permitted anywhere in the photograph.
How should a baby be photographed?
A young child's photo must show the most neutral expression possible, with only the face and shoulders fully framed, and no toys, hands or other objects visible.
Does Brazil publish a head-length or pixel requirement?
The consular specification retrieved for this page does not publish a head-length range or a pixel/file limit, so none is given here. Note also that this is the consular (overseas) specification; the body that handles applications inside Brazil does not publish a photo size on the page checked.