The complete 2026 guide to Brazilian passport photo specifications — 30×40mm, plain white background. Includes Federal Police portal digital upload instructions, CPF document requirements, and both physical print and digital JPEG specifications. Get your photo right the first time.
| Photo Size | 30×40mm (width × height) |
| Background | Plain white — no patterns, shadows, or gradients |
| Head Coverage | 70–80% of total frame height |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and looking at camera |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Format | JPEG; minimum 300 DPI for print; digital: minimum 354×472px for portal |
Our free Brazil passport photo tool resizes your photo to the official 30×40mm format required by the Polícia Federal (Federal Police) for Brazilian passport applications. It automatically removes and replaces the background to plain white, checks head coverage (70–80% of frame), verifies eye visibility and neutral expression, and prepares the file for both physical print and digital upload to the Federal Police's online passport portal. Upload your photo, position your face, and download a compliant JPEG in seconds — no software installation needed, fully mobile-compatible.
Brazilian passport photo standards are set by the Polícia Federal (Federal Police), the authority responsible for issuing all Brazilian passports under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública). The requirements align with ICAO biometric standards and have been in force under the e-Passport programme since 2010, with periodic updates to reflect evolving biometric technology requirements.
The official Brazilian passport photo size is 30mm wide by 40mm tall. This is a portrait-oriented rectangle, smaller than many international standards. The 30×40mm size must be adhered to exactly — photos submitted at 35×45mm or 2×2 inches will be rejected. When printing, specify 30×40mm explicitly. When using the ProShoot.io tool, select the Brazil preset, which is pre-configured to this exact size.
The background must be plain white. The Polícia Federal specifies white (branco) with no gradients, patterns, or textures. There must be no shadows cast on the background by the subject's head or body. The contrast between the face and background must be clear — particularly important for subjects with very fair complexions or very light hair, who should ensure there is sufficient contrast.
The head must occupy 70–80% of the total frame height. The face must be centred horizontally. The full face must be visible from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin. Both eyes must be at the midpoint of the frame or slightly above. The photo should be taken straight-on — no tilting, turning, or angling of the head is permitted.
The expression must be neutral. The mouth must be closed — teeth and tongue must not be visible. Eyes must be open, looking directly at the camera, and clearly visible. The applicant must not blink, squint, or look to the side. Cosmetic contact lenses that alter the natural eye colour are not permitted.
Glasses of any type are not permitted in Brazilian passport photos. This includes prescription glasses, reading glasses, fashion frames, tinted lenses, and contact lenses with coloured or patterned surfaces. Remove all eyewear before photographing.
Hair must not cover the face, eyes, or eyebrows. The face must be fully visible. Head coverings are only permitted for medical or religious reasons, in which case a letter from a doctor or religious leader may be required and the full face must remain visible. The natural shape of the head must be clearly visible — elaborate hairstyles that significantly alter the head silhouette are discouraged.
Printed photos must be on photo-quality paper at a minimum of 300 DPI. The print must be sharp, in full colour, undamaged, and free of reflective surfaces, creases, or marks. For digital uploads to the Federal Police portal, photos must be in JPEG format with a minimum dimension of 354×472 pixels and under 10MB. Digital photos must be saved at maximum JPEG quality to preserve detail.
Everyday clothing is acceptable. Avoid white or very light clothing that blends into the white background. Dark colours contrast well and are recommended. Uniforms are not acceptable for civilian passports. Accessories such as scarves, large earrings, and necklaces that are clearly visible against the neck or shoulder should ideally be removed to prevent any distraction in the face detection process.
Brazil has invested significantly in digitalising its passport application process. Understanding the Federal Police portal, the role of the CPF number, and the digital photo upload requirements will make your application process significantly smoother.
All Brazilian passport applications — both first-time applications and renewals — are processed through the Federal Police passport portal at passaporte.pf.gov.br. Applicants pre-register online, upload their digital photo, pay the fees, and schedule an in-person appointment at a Federal Police delegation (delegacia da Polícia Federal) for biometric capture. The digital photo upload during pre-registration must meet the same 30×40mm proportions and white background standards as the printed photo.
The portal accepts JPEG files with a minimum of 354×472 pixels, white background, and neutral expression. If the uploaded photo is rejected by the portal's automated system, you will be prompted to upload a new one before completing the pre-registration. The ProShoot.io tool generates photos compliant with both the portal's digital requirements and the print standards.
The CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is Brazil's individual taxpayer identification number — the equivalent of a Social Security Number. Your CPF must be included in your passport application form submitted through the portal. Without a valid CPF, the application cannot be completed. Brazilians born abroad who are registering for the first time may need to obtain a CPF from the Receita Federal (Federal Revenue Service) before applying for a passport.
In addition to the digital photo upload, you will need to bring a printed 30×40mm photo to your Federal Police appointment. The photo brought in person must match the digital photo uploaded during pre-registration — they will be compared. Bring two identical printed photos to be safe.
Brazil issues two types of passports: the standard Passaporte Comum (10-year validity for adults, 5 years for minors) and the Passaporte de Emergência, issued in urgent circumstances with a shorter validity. Both require identical 30×40mm photos. Emergency passports are processed at the Polícia Federal only and require documented proof of urgency (e.g., a flight ticket within 30 days).
Brazilians living abroad can apply for passport renewals at Brazilian Consulates and Embassies. The process varies slightly by post — some process the entire application locally, while others are connected to the Federal Police system. In all cases, the 30×40mm white-background photo standard applies. Check the specific consulate's website for local appointment booking procedures, as some busy consulates in the US, UK, and Portugal have their own online scheduling systems.
The Federal Police portal's automated system and in-person reviewers reject photos for specific, preventable reasons. Here are the eight most common rejection causes for Brazilian passport photos.
Using 35×45mm or any other standard size. Fix: always use the ProShoot.io Brazil tool which outputs exactly 30×40mm.
Any tint or shadow on the background. Fix: use background removal in the ProShoot.io tool; verify the background is pure white before submission.
File too small or wrong aspect ratio for the Federal Police portal. Fix: ensure the digital JPEG is at least 354×472px at a 3:4 aspect ratio.
Any eyewear or distracting accessories. Fix: remove all glasses and minimise visible accessories before photographing.
Head too small or large in the 30×40mm frame. Fix: use the ProShoot.io head-size gauge to verify 70–80% frame coverage.
Common when using a single overhead light. Fix: use two side lights and stand 1m from the background.
Significant appearance changes since the photo. Fix: always take a fresh photo that reflects current appearance, especially after major hair or facial hair changes.
Outdated photo. Fix: take a new photo and verify the file date before uploading to the portal.
Brazil has several options for obtaining compliant passport photos. The 30×40mm size is less common internationally, so planning ahead is important if you are applying outside Brazil.
| Option | Cost (BRL / USD) | Turnaround | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo Studio (Estúdio Fotográfico) | R$10–R$30 / $2–$6 | 15–20 min | Staff know 30×40mm spec; print-quality guaranteed | Must travel to studio; may have queues |
| Online Tool (ProShoot.io) | Free | Instant | 30×40mm exact crop; portal-ready digital + print file | Requires good home setup |
| Pharmacy / Supermarket Photo Kiosk | R$8–R$20 / $2–$4 | 5 minutes | Convenient; widely available in Brazil | Not all kiosks offer 30×40mm — verify before using |
| Brazilian Consulate Abroad | Varies | At appointment | Photo can be taken on-site at some consulates | Limited availability; must attend appointment regardless |
In Brazil, photo studios (estúdios fotográficos) and pharmacies with photo kiosks are the most common source for passport photos. Most photo professionals in Brazil are familiar with the Federal Police 30×40mm standard. Outside Brazil, particularly in the US, UK, or Europe, you should use the ProShoot.io tool to generate the 30×40mm file and bring it to a photo lab for printing, explicitly specifying the 30×40mm dimensions.
Brazilian passport applications are managed entirely by the Polícia Federal (Federal Police). The process has been largely digitalised, with online pre-registration required before attending an in-person appointment.
Visit passaporte.pf.gov.br and create an account. Complete the pre-registration form, upload your digital 30×40mm JPEG photo, and pay the passport fee online. The fee is R$257.25 for a standard adult passport (10-year validity) as of 2026. For minors under 16, the fee is proportional to validity.
After completing pre-registration and payment, schedule an in-person appointment at the nearest Federal Police delegation. Bring your original documents: birth certificate (or previous passport for renewal), CPF, proof of Brazilian nationality (if applicable), and two printed 30×40mm passport photos. Biometric data — fingerprints and facial photograph — will be captured at the appointment.
The passport is typically ready for collection within 6 business days for the standard service (or 3 business days for urgent service, at higher cost). Collection is in person at the Federal Police delegation where you applied, or by registered post if requested.
For the most current fee schedule, document requirements, and appointment booking, visit passaporte.pf.gov.br (the official Federal Police passport portal).
"The Federal Police portal's automated photo checker is stricter than most people expect. It rejects anything that's even slightly off-white on the background, so I always verify the background's RGB values digitally — 252 or above on all three channels — before uploading for my clients."— Document photography specialist, São Paulo
"One thing Brazilians often don't realise: the digital photo you upload during pre-registration and the printed photo you bring to the appointment are compared by the Federal Police officer. They need to be identical. Print the same file you uploaded — never print a different shot."— Portrait photographer, Rio de Janeiro
"Outside Brazil, the 30×40mm size trips everyone up. I've had clients arrive at the consulate in London with 35×45mm photos printed by a UK pharmacy — rejected on the spot. Always specify 30×40mm and verify the print dimensions with a ruler before the appointment."— Brazilian community photographer, London
"For the best results with the Federal Police's biometric system, shoot with a grey card to set white balance, then adjust digitally. This prevents the skin tones from shifting too warm or too cool, which can create issues with the automated facial recognition in the portal."— Commercial photographer, Brasília
"I always advise clients to book their appointment at the Federal Police delegation within 48 hours of uploading the digital photo. Appointment slots fill up very quickly in major cities, especially in São Paulo and Rio. Don't upload the photo and then wait a week — the system's peak periods can mean a 2–3 week wait for appointments."— Administrative photography professional, Curitiba
Connect with a ProShoot.io photographer who delivers compliant 30×40mm Brazilian passport photos ready for the Federal Police portal.