Georgia Passfoto

Georgia Passport Photo -- Public Service Hall and LEPL Standards

Georgia's passport system runs through the Public Service Development Agency (PSDA / საჯარო სერვისების განვითარების სააგენტო), a Legal Entity of Public Law (LEPL) under the Ministry of Justice. What makes Georgia's approach distinctive is the Public Service Hall (იუსტიციის სახლი / Iusticiis Sakhli) network -- modern, purpose-built service centres scattered across the country that handle everything from birth certificates to passport issuance under one roof. Georgia launched its biometric passport program in 2010, and the Public Service Halls have since processed millions of applications with an efficiency that draws study visits from governments across the post-Soviet region. The PSDA's digital infrastructure allows applicants to pre-register online and upload photos digitally, though most Georgians still visit a Public Service Hall in person, where on-site photo booths handle the photography step.

Official passport specifications are published by the PSDA at psa.gov.ge. The same photo standards apply to Georgian passports, national ID cards (პირადობის მოწმობა / piradobiis motsmoba), and residence permits.

Technical Photo Specifications

Dimensions and resolution:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height from chin to crown: 28-34 mm
• Face centred horizontally with equal margin on both sides
• Eyes positioned approximately in the middle third of the frame vertically

Background:

• White, plain, and uniform -- no shadows, no gradient, no texture
• Sufficient contrast between the background and the subject's hair and clothing
• No objects or structures visible behind the subject

Expression and positioning:

• Neutral expression with mouth closed
• Both eyes open and focused on the camera
• Face straight and forward-facing -- no tilt, no angle
• Full face visible from forehead to chin and ear to ear

Digital file (for online pre-registration):

• JPEG or PNG format
• Minimum 472 x 610 pixels
• Maximum file size 2 MB
• Colour photo -- no greyscale or black-and-white

Print quality (for physical submissions):

• Photo paper, matte or glossy finish
• Sharp focus with no blur
• No marks, creases, or damage
• Clean 35x45mm edges

Georgia-Specific Rules

Glasses: The PSDA recommends removing glasses for passport photos. If prescription glasses are worn, they must have clear, untinted lenses with no reflective coating. The frames must not obscure any part of the eyes. The biometric chip on the Georgian passport stores a facial template that relies on unobstructed eye visibility -- glasses that cause even minor obstruction can degrade the template quality and cause issues at automated border gates.

Head coverings: Not permitted unless worn for religious observance. Georgia's predominantly Orthodox Christian population rarely encounters this rule, but applicants of all faiths may wear religious head coverings provided the full face remains visible and no shadow is cast on the facial features. Monastic veils (მანტია / mantia) for Georgian Orthodox clergy are treated as religious coverings and are permitted under this provision.

Photo at Public Service Hall: Most applicants have their photo taken at the Public Service Hall itself using on-site biometric photo stations. These stations are calibrated specifically for Georgian document specifications and produce compliant digital images that feed directly into the application system -- bypassing the risk of external photos failing compliance checks. The photo is taken during the appointment. Applicants who already have a compliant printed or digital photo may submit it instead of using the on-site station.

Photo recency: Must be taken within six months of application. The PSDA's system compares the submitted photo against any previous document records on file for biometric consistency.

Clothing: Normal civilian attire. Avoid white or very light clothing that blends with the background. Military and police uniforms are not permitted.

Retouching prohibition: The PSDA does not accept digitally altered photos. Skin smoothing, blemish removal, facial reshaping, and filter effects create discrepancies between the submitted photo and the live biometric capture taken at the Public Service Hall. The photo must represent the applicant's natural, unmodified appearance. If using our online tool to prepare your photo at home, submit the result exactly as produced.

Expedited processing: Georgia offers multiple processing tiers -- standard (10 business days), accelerated (5 business days), express (3 business days), and urgent (same day for emergencies with appropriate documentation). The photo requirements are identical across all tiers. The on-site photo station eliminates photo-related delays regardless of which tier you choose.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Georgia

Public Service Hall on-site stations (იუსტიციის სახლი): The most reliable option by far. Public Service Halls in Tbilisi (the main hall on Zviad Gamsakhurdia Embankment and the Saburtalo branch), Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Rustavi, Gori, Telavi, and other cities have integrated photo stations. The photo is taken as part of the application process and costs approximately 5-10 GEL (Georgian lari), included in or additional to the application fee depending on the service tier selected.

Photo studios in Tbilisi (ფოტოსტუდია / Fotostudia): Independent photo studios are found throughout Tbilisi, with concentrations near Rustaveli Avenue, the old town (Kala / ძველი თბილისი), and the Saburtalo district. Passport photo sets cost 5-15 GEL for four printed photos. Studios near the main Public Service Hall on the Left Bank are particularly well-versed in current PSDA requirements and deal with passport applicants regularly.

Studios in Batumi, Kutaisi, and regional centres: Batumi's studios on Gorgiladze Street and near the Batumi Public Service Hall charge 5-10 GEL. Kutaisi, Zugdidi, and other regional cities have similar pricing. Quality is generally reliable in regional centres where studios serve a steady flow of document applicants.

Photo booths (ფოტოავტომატი): Automated photo booths in Tbilisi Metro stations (Rustaveli, Didube, Isani, Station Square), shopping malls (East Point, Galleria Tbilisi, Tbilisi Mall), and near government buildings produce document photos for 3-5 GEL. Newer booths display positioning guides and include automatic background-uniformity checks. Older models may need manual verification of output quality.

DIY at home: Stand against a white wall with natural daylight from a window facing you. Have someone photograph you at eye level using a smartphone rear camera from about 1.5 metres. Crop to 35x45mm using an online tool, verify head sizing, and either upload digitally through the PSDA portal or print on photo paper. The on-site station at the Public Service Hall remains the simplest option, but a pre-prepared digital photo can speed up the appointment.

Baby and Child Passport Photos

Georgian children of all ages require individual passports for international travel:

Infants under 12 months: Lay the baby on a white sheet and photograph from above, or have the baby held upright by a parent who is concealed behind the child. Eyes do not need to be open for newborns under 6 months. No toys, pacifiers, or hair accessories. Only the baby should appear in the frame. The white sheet must be smooth. Public Service Hall stations have infant photography setups that staff can assist with.

Children aged 1 to 5: Both eyes open, facing the camera, neutral expression preferred. The PSDA applies tolerance for very young children's expressions. The white background and head-height rules apply. Public Service Hall staff are accustomed to photographing young children and can usually obtain a compliant shot within a few attempts using positioning aids and toys to hold the child's attention.

Children aged 6 and above: Full adult rules apply without exception.

Passport validity for minors: Georgian passports for children under 12 are valid for 5 years. For applicants 12 and older, passports are valid for 10 years. Children's passports require more frequent renewal, meaning more photo sessions throughout childhood.

Common Rejection Reasons

PSDA offices and Georgian photo studios report these as the most frequent rejection causes:

1. External photos not meeting biometric proportions -- Photos taken at studios not calibrated to Georgian specifications may have incorrect head height or eye positioning relative to the frame edges
2. Shadow on background -- Home photos taken against walls with overhead lighting produce shadows that the on-site stations at Public Service Halls avoid entirely
3. Glasses reflection -- Indoor lighting bouncing off prescription lenses creates glare spots over the eye area that obscure iris detail
4. Hair covering forehead -- Bangs or swept-forward hairstyles that obscure the forehead line are rejected by biometric verification
5. Incorrect digital file format -- Uploading files in non-JPEG/PNG formats or below the minimum 472x610 pixel dimensions for online pre-registration
6. Photo taken more than six months ago -- Outdated photos that do not match the applicant's current appearance are flagged during cross-reference review

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I have my photo taken at the Public Service Hall? A: Yes, and this is the recommended approach. On-site photo stations are calibrated specifically for Georgian document standards and feed directly into the application system. The cost is approximately 5-10 GEL, and the result is guaranteed to be compliant.

Q: Are the photo rules the same for the Georgian ID card and passport? A: Yes. The PSDA uses identical 35x45mm biometric photo specifications for passports, national ID cards, and residence permits. A single compliant photo can be used across all applications if it was taken within the previous six months.

Q: How fast can I get a Georgian passport? A: Georgia offers four processing speeds: standard (10 business days), accelerated (5 days), express (3 days), and urgent (same day for documented emergencies). Having your photo taken on-site at the Public Service Hall eliminates photo-related delays entirely.

Q: Can I wear my prescription glasses? A: The PSDA recommends removing them. If you keep them on, lenses must be clear and completely free of reflections. The safest option is to remove glasses -- if you have your photo taken at the Public Service Hall station, the staff will almost certainly advise you to remove them.

Q: I am a Georgian citizen living abroad. Where do I apply? A: At the nearest Georgian embassy or consulate. Major consular offices with passport services are listed on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and operate in Washington, New York, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Athens, Istanbul, Kyiv, and other cities. Photo specifications are the same as in Georgia.

Q: Can I upload my photo digitally for online pre-registration? A: Yes. The PSDA's online system accepts JPEG or PNG files, minimum 472x610 pixels, maximum 2 MB. A photo will still be taken on-site during your Public Service Hall appointment to verify identity, but pre-uploading a compliant photo can streamline the process.