Every Danish passport photo is checked against rules set by the Danish Police (Politi), the authority responsible for issuing passports across Denmark. The required size is 35×45mm, with a head height of roughly 34.5mm measured from chin to crown, against a plain, light grey background with no shadows. Most rejections happen for reasons that are easy to miss at home: backgrounds with texture or color, photos older than six months, glare on glasses, or a head that's framed slightly too large or too small for the frame. Getting it right matters because a rejected photo can delay your passport application by days or weeks, especially if you're applying close to a travel date. This tool builds the correct frame, background, and head position automatically so you can skip the guesswork.
These specifications apply to standard adult and child Danish passport photos as set out by Politi.
| Photo Size | 35mm × 45mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 35mm |
| Height | 45mm |
| Background | Plain light grey or off-white, no shadows or patterns |
| Head Size | Approx. 34.5mm chin-to-crown (typically within a 32–36mm range) |
| Resolution | High resolution; minimum 600 DPI recommended for print |
| File Format | JPG or PNG for digital capture; quality photo paper for printed copies |
| Glasses Rules | Discouraged; no tinted lenses or glare, eyes fully visible if worn for medical reasons |
| Expression Rules | Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open and visible |
| Photo Age | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Digital Submission Rules | Often captured digitally on-site at Citizen Service; check with your local office before submitting your own digital file |
Passports in Denmark are issued under the authority of the Danish Police, known locally as Politi, working alongside municipal Citizen Service (Borgerservice) centres where most applications are actually submitted. In many cases, your photo is captured digitally on the spot when you apply in person, which is why home-prepared photos need to closely match the same framing and lighting Politi's own equipment produces. If you're applying from outside Denmark through an embassy or consulate, you may be asked to bring a printed photo instead, so it's worth checking the submission method for your specific situation before you travel to your appointment.
Children, including infants, need their own passport and their own compliant photo — there's no option to add a child to a parent's passport in Denmark. The same size and background rules apply, but a few details are specific to younger applicants.
A renewal doesn't get any leniency on photo standards — Politi requires a current photo taken within six months for every renewal, just as with a first-time application. If your appearance has changed noticeably since your last passport, such as a major change in hairstyle, weight, or facial hair, it's worth taking a fresh photo rather than reusing an older one, even if it technically falls inside the six-month window.
Yes, with care. A smartphone camera is sharp enough for a compliant photo, but a few conditions matter more than the camera itself.
Use the rear camera (not the front-facing lens) for better resolution, and disable any beauty filters or automatic retouching before shooting.
Face a window with soft, indirect daylight. Avoid direct sun, overhead lights that cast shadows under the eyes, or a flash pointed straight at your face.
Stand about a metre in front of a plain light grey or white wall, free of texture, artwork, or shadows from nearby furniture.
Have someone else take the photo from about 1–1.5 metres away, with the camera at eye level, so your head and shoulders are framed without distortion.
If a printed copy is needed, use matte or glossy photo paper at high resolution rather than a home inkjet printout on plain paper.
If you're applying for documents in both countries, the formats are different enough that one photo won't work for both.
| Denmark | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 35×45mm | 2×2 inches (51×51mm) |
| Head Size | ~34.5mm chin-to-crown | 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35mm) |
| Background | Plain light grey/off-white | Plain white or off-white |
| Submission Format | Often captured digitally in-office; print accepted for some channels | Printed photo or digital upload via State Department portal |
| Compliance Differences | Narrower, taller frame; head proportionally larger in frame | Square frame; more space around the head |
35×45mm, with a head height of roughly 34.5mm from chin to crown, against a plain light background.
It's possible if someone else takes it for you, with controlled lighting and a plain wall behind you — true selfies often distort framing.
It should be taken within the last six months and reflect your current appearance.
Many Citizen Service centres capture your photo digitally in person; some application routes still require a printed copy, so check with your specific office.
It's discouraged. Tinted or sunglasses aren't accepted, and any glasses worn for medical reasons must show no glare with both eyes fully visible.
A plain light grey or off-white background with even lighting, free of shadows, patterns, or texture.
A neutral expression with a closed mouth is recommended — avoid broad smiles or exaggerated expressions.
Photograph the child alone against the same plain background; infants can lie on a plain white sheet and don't need their eyes fully open.
Skip the trip to a photo booth. Upload a photo now and get a Politi-ready 35×45mm passport photo, correctly cropped and backgrounded, in under a minute.
