Morocco Passport Photo

Morocco Passport Photo -- Complete Guide

Morocco's passport and national identity documents are managed by the Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) -- the national police directorate -- through its network of commissariats and the dedicated passeport.ma portal. Since 2009, Morocco has issued biometric passports that store facial geometry and fingerprint data on an embedded chip. Photo compliance is enforced by automated screening at DGSN offices, and a non-compliant photo is the fastest way to have your dossier returned without processing.

Requirements are available on passeport.ma, the DGSN's official passport information portal. These specifications apply to all Moroccan passport applications -- whether submitted domestically at a commissariat, a DGSN annexe, or through a Moroccan consulate abroad (consulat). The same 35x45mm format is also used for the Carte Nationale d'Identite Electronique (CNIE).

Official Photo Requirements

Physical dimensions:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height: 32-36 mm from chin to crown (Morocco enforces a tighter range than many countries)
• Face centered in the frame with 2-4 mm of space above the head

Digital specifications (passeport.ma upload):

• Format: JPEG
• Minimum resolution: 400 x 514 pixels
• Maximum file size: 500 KB (notably smaller than most countries)
• Full-colour photo

Background and lighting:

• White or light grey background -- both are accepted, but white is preferred
• Uniform background with no gradient, shadow, or texture
• Even, front-facing lighting with no harsh shadows
• No overexposure or underexposure -- skin tones must look natural

Expression and pose:

• Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes fully open
• Face directly facing the camera
• Full face visible from hairline to chin, ear to ear
• No head tilt or angle

Clothing and accessories:

• Glasses must be removed for all passport and CNIE photos -- no exceptions
• Hijab is permitted for women; the full face from the hairline to the chin must be visible and the fabric must not cast shadows
• No decorative headwear, hats, or caps
• No sunglasses, tinted lenses, or fashion accessories covering any part of the face
• Clean, presentable clothing -- no collarless undershirts (debardeurs) according to some DGSN offices

Recency: Taken within the last 6 months. Must reflect current appearance.

DGSN and Commissariat Process

Applying in Morocco: Passport applications are submitted at your local commissariat de police or one of the DGSN's dedicated passport offices (Service des Passeports). The process begins online at the passeport.ma portal, where you fill out the form, upload your photo, and book an appointment. On the appointment day, you visit the commissariat with your printed dossier, two printed passport photos, your CNIE, and supporting documents. Biometric data (fingerprints, digital photo) is captured on-site.

Wilaya-level offices: Major cities -- Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fes, Tangier, Agadir, Oujda, Meknes -- have large DGSN offices that process higher volumes. Wait times in Casablanca and Rabat can be significant; early morning appointments are advisable.

Consulats abroad: Moroccan consulates in France (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Lille, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Montpellier), Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Germany, the UK, the US, Canada, and Gulf states process passport applications for Moroccans living abroad. You must bring physical photos -- typically 4 identical 35x45mm prints. French-based Moroccans should note that standard French photomaton photos (35x45mm) are dimensionally correct but must meet Morocco's stricter face-height requirement of 32-36mm.

How to Take Your Moroccan Passport Photo at Home

Camera setup: Use a smartphone rear camera with at least 5 megapixels. Position the phone at face height on a tripod or stable surface. Stand 1.2-1.5 metres from the lens. Use the timer or have someone take the shot.

Background: A clean white wall is ideal. Many Moroccan homes have zellige (tiled) or textured wall surfaces that will not work. If your walls are coloured or textured, hang a plain white sheet or large sheet of white paper behind you. Ensure it is smooth and wrinkle-free -- wrinkles create shadows that appear in the photo. Stand 15-20 cm from the background.

Lighting: Morocco has abundant natural light. Face a large window or glass door during daytime. The warm-toned afternoon light in Morocco can give photos a yellow cast -- shooting in the morning or on an overcast day produces more neutral tones. If using artificial light, place two lamps at 45 degrees on each side. Avoid ceiling-mounted fluorescent tubes.

Head-height calibration: Morocco's 32-36mm head-height range is tighter than the ICAO standard. After taking your photo, measure the head height in the cropped 35x45mm image. If your face is smaller than 32mm chin-to-crown, you are too far from the camera. If larger than 36mm, you are too close. This measurement is the most common reason for rejection at DGSN offices.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Morocco

• Photo studios near commissariats -- MAD 20-40 for a set of 4-6 photos. Found on virtually every street adjacent to a police commissariat. These photographers shoot passport photos all day and know the DGSN requirements intimately. Specify "tswira dial passeport, blanch" (passport photo, white background).
• Photomatons (automated booths) -- MAD 30-50. Found in Marjane, Carrefour, and other supermarkets, as well as some DGSN office lobbies. Produces ICAO-compliant photos automatically. The machines in DGSN lobbies are typically the most reliable.
• Kodak Express / Studio Photo -- MAD 30-60. Professional studios in city centres (Gueliz in Marrakech, Centre Ville in Casablanca, Agdal in Rabat). Higher quality and the ability to get digital copies.
• Cyber cafes -- MAD 10-20 for printing if you bring your own digital photo. Quality varies -- ensure they print on photo paper, not plain A4.

Budget tip: Prepare your photo digitally with an online passport photo tool, paying close attention to the 32-36mm head-height range. Print at any photo studio or cyber cafe for MAD 5-10 per 4x6 sheet. Cut four photos from the sheet.

For Moroccans in France: French photomaton booths produce 35x45mm photos that are dimensionally correct, but verify the head height meets Morocco's 32-36mm requirement. French passport standards allow a wider range. A set of 4 photos costs EUR 5-8 at most photomaton booths.

CNIE (Carte Nationale d'Identite Electronique) Photos

The Moroccan electronic national ID card uses the same 35x45mm format and the same background, expression, and accessory rules as the passport. CNIE applications at the commissariat also require 2 printed photos. The CNIE is mandatory for all Moroccan citizens over 18.

Common Rejection Reasons

The passeport.ma upload system performs automated checks, and DGSN staff verify photos manually during your appointment. Common failures:

1. Head height outside 32-36mm range -- Morocco's tighter specification catches many applicants who use standard photo services calibrated for the broader ICAO range.
2. Glasses worn -- Strictly prohibited for all passport and CNIE photos. Even clear fashion frames are rejected.
3. Background not uniform -- Textured walls, gradients, or shadows behind the head. The background must be completely smooth and evenly lit.
4. File size too large -- The passeport.ma upload limit is 500 KB, which is much smaller than most countries. High-resolution photos need compression.
5. Hijab casting shadow on face -- The head covering is permitted but must not create any shadow, particularly on the cheeks or forehead.
6. Expression not neutral -- Smiling, even slightly, triggers rejection.

Baby and Child Passport Photos (Tswira Dial Bebe / Photo d'Enfant)

Morocco's DGSN processes passport and CNIE applications for children of all ages. The 32-36mm head-height requirement applies to infant photos as well, making correct framing particularly critical for small faces.

Nourrissons (under 12 months): Lay the baby face-up on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above. DGSN accepts partially closed eyes for infants under 6 months. No sucette (pacifier), jouets (toys), or bavoirs (bibs) visible. The baby must be the only subject in the frame. Morocco's strict 32-36mm head-height range is the primary challenge -- a baby's smaller head must still measure at least 32mm chin-to-crown in the final 35x45mm print, which means the camera must be closer than for an adult photo.

Enfants de 1 a 5 ans: Both eyes open, neutral expression, facing the camera. Seat the child in a small chair against a white wall. Photo studios near commissariats have experience with enfants and will take multiple shots to get a compliant frame. Hijab is not required for young girls in passport photos.

Enfants de 6 ans et plus: Full adult specifications apply, including the glasses prohibition and the strict 32-36mm head-height enforcement.

For Moroccans in France: French photomaton booths can produce infant passport photos in the correct 35x45mm dimensions, but verify the head height against Morocco's 32-36mm range. French standards allow a wider tolerance (25-35mm), so a French-compliant baby photo may have a head that is too small for Moroccan requirements. Studios near Moroccan consulates in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille understand the distinction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I upload my photo on passeport.ma or do I need prints? A: Both. You upload a digital photo on passeport.ma when filling out the online form, and you bring 2 printed 35x45mm photos to your appointment at the commissariat. The digital and printed photos must be identical.

Q: What is the head-height requirement for Moroccan passport photos? A: The head must measure between 32mm and 36mm from chin to crown in the final 35x45mm print. This is stricter than the standard ICAO range of 25-35mm. Measure carefully after cropping.

Q: Can I wear glasses in my Moroccan passport photo? A: No. The DGSN requires all glasses to be removed -- prescription, reading, and sunglasses. No exceptions.

Q: Is the photo specification the same for passports and CNIE? A: Yes. Both documents use 35x45mm photos with the same background, expression, and accessory rules. The only difference is the number of prints required (2 for CNIE, 2-4 for passport).

Q: How long does passport processing take in Morocco? A: Standard processing at a DGSN office takes approximately 2 weeks within Morocco. Applications through consulates abroad take 4-8 weeks, sometimes longer during summer when demand peaks.

Q: I am applying at a Moroccan consulate in France. Can I use French photomaton photos? A: Yes, if the dimensions are correct (35x45mm) and the head height falls within 32-36mm. French photomatons default to ICAO dimensions, but you should verify the head-height measurement yourself. The background must be white or light grey, which French photomatons typically produce.