Argentina Passport Photo

Argentina Passport Photo -- Complete Guide

Argentina uses a 40x40mm square passport photo -- one of the only countries in the world to require a perfectly square format. This unusual dimension catches nearly every Argentine applying from abroad, because no international photo service defaults to 40x40mm. The Registro Nacional de las Personas (Renaper), the agency responsible for all Argentine identity documents, enforces this square format strictly. Submitting a standard 35x45mm or 2x2-inch photo will result in immediate rejection.

Renaper processes both the Documento Nacional de Identidad (DNI) and the Argentine passport from its offices across the country. Since the introduction of the biometric passport in 2012 and the digital DNI card in 2009, all photos are captured live at Renaper offices using biometric stations. The specifications on argentina.gob.ar/renaper apply to all document types -- passport, DNI tarjeta (card format), DNI libreta (booklet), and cedula de identidad.

Official Photo Requirements

Physical dimensions:

• 40 x 40 mm (472 x 472 pixels at 300 DPI) -- perfectly square, unique to Argentina
• Head height: approximately 28-34 mm from chin to crown
• Face centered both vertically and horizontally

Why 40x40mm matters: Argentina is one of very few countries using a square passport photo. The standard ICAO format is 35x45mm (portrait rectangle). Most photo services worldwide do not offer a 40x40mm option. If you need printed photos for a consular application, you must either use a specialized tool or manually crop to the correct square dimensions.

Digital specifications:

• Format: JPEG
• Minimum resolution: 472 x 472 pixels
• Full-colour photo
• No digital manipulation

Background and lighting:

• Plain white background only
• No shadows on the face or background
• Even, diffused lighting from the front
• Natural skin tones -- no filters, beauty mode, or colour adjustment

Expression and pose:

• Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes fully open
• Face directly facing the camera -- no tilt or turn
• Full face visible from hairline to chin
• Ears should be visible if not covered by hair

Clothing and accessories:

• Glasses are strictly prohibited in all DNI and passport photos -- no prescription, reading, or sunglasses. Argentina was one of the first Latin American countries to ban glasses in identity photos
• No hats, caps, gorras, or any headwear
• Religious head coverings permitted only with prior declaration to Renaper
• No headphones, earbuds, or large earrings that obscure the face
• Civilian clothing only -- no uniforms

Recency: Must reflect your current appearance. Taken within 6 months.

How Renaper Works -- The Argentine System

Renaper offices (throughout Argentina): Renaper has offices in every province and major city. The main office is in Buenos Aires (Av. Entre Rios). Provincial offices operate in Cordoba, Rosario, Mendoza, Tucuman, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Salta, Neuquen, Bariloche, Ushuaia, and dozens of other cities.

In-person biometric capture: For both DNI and passport applications, your photo is captured live at the Renaper office using their biometric equipment. You sit in front of a white backdrop and the system photographs you digitally. No printed photos are accepted for domestic applications. This is non-negotiable -- Renaper controls the entire capture chain.

Appointment booking: All Renaper applications require a prior appointment booked through the Mi Argentina app or argentina.gob.ar. Walk-in service is not available at most offices. Book early -- appointments in Buenos Aires can fill up 2-4 weeks in advance.

Argentine consulates abroad: Consulates in Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Miami, New York, Washington DC, Sao Paulo, Santiago, London, Paris, Tel Aviv, and many other cities process DNI and passport applications for Argentine citizens abroad. Most consulates now capture photos digitally on-site. Some may request printed 40x40mm photos -- bring 4 as backup. Be aware that finding a photo service abroad that produces 40x40mm prints is extremely difficult.

DNI and passport simultaneously: Argentines typically apply for both the DNI and passport at the same Renaper appointment. The biometric data is captured once and used for both documents.

How to Take Your Argentine Passport Photo at Home

Even though Renaper captures photos on-site for domestic applications, you may need a 40x40mm photo for consular applications abroad or for digital services.

Camera setup: Use a smartphone rear camera. Position at face height. Stand 1.2 metres from the camera. Use a timer.

Background: Plain white wall. Argentine apartments in Buenos Aires often have white or near-white walls that work well. Verify by taking a test photo -- the background must appear pure white on screen. If not, hang a white sheet behind you. Stand 15-20 cm from the wall.

Lighting: Buenos Aires has good natural light most of the year. Stand facing a window in the morning. Southern Argentine cities (Patagonia) have soft, diffused daylight that produces excellent passport photos. In northern Argentina (Tucuman, Salta, Jujuy), avoid the intense midday sun and shoot in the morning or late afternoon. If using artificial light, two lamps at 45-degree angles are standard.

Square framing: The 40x40mm format requires a perfectly square crop. Frame your photo with equal margins on all sides of your head. Your face should occupy approximately 70-80% of the vertical space. After shooting, crop to a 1:1 aspect ratio. Many phone cameras have a square shooting mode that helps with composition, but shooting in standard mode and cropping afterward gives more flexibility.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Argentina

• Renaper offices -- Free (included in the DNI/passport fee). All photos are captured live at the office. This is the standard and only method for domestic applications.
• Foto carnet shops near Renaper offices -- ARS 2,000-5,000 (prices fluctuate with inflation). Small photo studios near every Renaper office produce "foto carnet" (ID photos). They are familiar with the 40x40mm square format. These are useful for consular and foreign document applications.
• Foto carnet shops near Registro Civil offices -- ARS 2,000-4,000. Provincial and municipal Registro Civil offices (for birth certificates, marriage, etc.) often have nearby foto carnet services that also produce passport-format photos.
• Kodak Express / photo studios in shopping centres -- ARS 3,000-6,000. Found in Galerias Pacifico, Alto Palermo, Unicenter, and other malls in Buenos Aires and major cities.
• Farmacity / Farmacias del Pueblo -- Some pharmacy chains in Buenos Aires offer photo printing services.

Budget tip: Create your photo digitally using an online passport photo tool set to 40x40mm (1:1 square), then print at any "foto" or "imprenta" shop. A 4x6 print (ARS 500-1,000) can fit three 40x40mm photos that you cut to size. This is the most practical approach for Argentines abroad who need the unusual square format.

For Argentines abroad: The 40x40mm format is nearly impossible to find at standard photo services outside Argentina. European photomatons produce 35x45mm, US pharmacies produce 2x2 inch (51x51mm), and neither is correct. Your only reliable option is to create the photo digitally at the correct dimensions using an online tool and print at a custom printing service.

DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) Photos

The DNI uses the same 40x40mm square format as the passport. All DNI photos are captured live at Renaper -- no exceptions, no printed photo submissions. The new DNI tarjeta (card format) has a polycarbonate chip with biometric data, including a stored digital version of your facial image.

The DNI is Argentina's primary identification document, used for voting, banking, healthcare, employment, domestic travel (within Mercosur countries), and all government interactions. Argentine citizens are legally required to carry their DNI at all times.

Common Rejection Reasons

At Renaper offices, rejections happen during the live biometric capture. The system displays errors in real-time:

1. Glasses worn -- Argentina's system rejects all eyewear immediately. Remove glasses before the capture -- the operator will ask you to.
2. Expression not neutral -- Any deviation from a neutral expression (smiling, raised eyebrows, open mouth) triggers a re-capture.
3. Eyes not fully open -- The system requires both eyes wide open. Blinking during capture requires a retake.
4. Head tilted or turned -- Face must be squarely facing the camera.
5. Wrong dimensions (consular applications) -- Submitting a rectangular photo (35x45mm, 2x2 inch) instead of the square 40x40mm format is the most common error at consulates.
6. Background not white (home photos) -- Off-white, cream, and grey are rejected. The 40x40mm format makes background imperfections more visible due to the wider horizontal field of view.

Baby and Child Passport Photos (Foto Carnet de Menores)

Renaper applies modified rules for infants and children applying for a DNI or passport. Since all photos are captured live at Renaper offices, the biometric station operator handles positioning, but knowing the rules helps you prepare.

Bebes (under 12 months): The operator seats the baby on a parent's lap or places the infant on a white-draped surface in front of the camera. Renaper's system tolerates partially closed eyes for newborns under 6 months. No chupete (pacifier), toys, or bibs visible. The parent must not appear in the captured frame -- if holding the baby, hands and arms are positioned behind the child.

Ninos de 1 a 5 anos: Eyes must be open and the child must face the camera directly. A neutral expression is expected, though operators allow multiple captures for toddlers who move or cry. The 40x40mm square format applies at all ages. Children who cannot sit independently are placed in a small chair provided at the office, draped with white cloth to match the background.

Ninos de 6 en adelante: Full adult specifications apply, including the glasses prohibition and neutral expression requirement.

Consular applications abroad: If a consulate requires printed 40x40mm photos of your baby, lay the infant face-up on a white sheet and photograph from directly above. Ensure the square crop captures the full face from chin to crown with balanced margins. Take at least 20 shots to get one frame with eyes open and a calm expression. Finding a photo service abroad that produces 40x40mm baby photos is extremely difficult -- the DIY approach with a white sheet is the most reliable method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Argentina use a square photo? A: Argentina adopted the 40x40mm square format independently and has maintained it across all DNI and passport generations. While the Argentine passport itself is ICAO-compliant, the photo dimensions are unique. The square format ensures consistent framing for the DNI tarjeta (card) and passport data page layouts.

Q: Do I need to bring photos to Renaper for my DNI or passport? A: No. For all domestic applications, Renaper captures your photo live at the office. You cannot bring printed photos. For consular applications abroad, most consulates also capture photos digitally, but some may request printed 40x40mm photos.

Q: Can I wear glasses in my Argentine passport or DNI photo? A: No. Argentina strictly prohibits all glasses -- prescription, reading, sunglasses -- in identity document photos. This has been enforced since the biometric system was introduced.

Q: How long does Argentine passport processing take? A: Within Argentina, the passport is typically ready in 15 business days. Express processing (5 days) is available for an additional fee. The fastest option is "pasaporte express" (24-48 hours) at the Buenos Aires headquarters for emergency travel. Through consulates abroad, processing takes 4-12 weeks.

Q: Can I use a 2x2-inch US passport photo for my Argentine passport at a consulate? A: No. A US passport photo is 51x51mm (2x2 inches), which is larger than Argentina's 40x40mm. Even though both are square, the dimensions are different. You need a photo specifically cropped to 40x40mm.

Q: Is the 40x40mm format the same for passport and DNI? A: Yes. Both the Argentine passport and the DNI (tarjeta and libreta formats) use identical 40x40mm square photos with the same background, expression, and accessory requirements.