Foto de Pasaporte de Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic Passport Photo -- MIREX and DGP Standards

The Dominican Republic issues passports through the Direccion General de Pasaportes (DGP -- General Directorate of Passports), operating under the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (MIREX -- Ministry of Foreign Relations). The DGP's main processing center is located in the Centro de los Heroes in Santo Domingo, with satellite offices in Santiago, La Romana, and other major cities. Like its Caribbean neighbor Cuba, the Dominican Republic uses the 51x51mm (2x2 inch) square format rather than the 35x45mm ICAO standard -- a choice influenced by the massive volume of Dominican-US consular traffic. Over 1.5 million Dominicans hold dual citizenship or permanent residency in the United States, and the shared photo format simplifies documentation for this transnational population.

Official passport service information is published by MIREX at mirex.gob.do/servicios/pasaportes. The Direccion General de Pasaportes (DGP) manages direct passport processing and appointment scheduling. The DGP provides application forms, fee schedules, and photo specifications through this portal and at its physical offices.

Technical Photo Specifications

Dimensions and resolution:

• 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 inches), equivalent to 602 x 602 pixels at 300 DPI
• Head height from chin to crown: 25-35 mm (1 to 1-3/8 inches)
• Eyes positioned between 28-35 mm from the bottom of the photo
• Face centered horizontally with balanced spacing on both sides

Background:

• Plain white, completely uniform from edge to edge
• No shadows, no gradient, no visible wall texture or objects
• Must provide clear contrast with the subject's skin and hair

Expression and positioning:

• Neutral expression with mouth closed -- no smiling, no teeth
• Both eyes open and directed at the camera lens
• Head straight and forward-facing with no tilt or rotation
• Shoulders visible and level at the bottom edge

Print specifications:

• Glossy or semi-gloss photo paper
• No inkjet prints on regular paper
• Clean edges, no creases, fingerprints, or ink marks
• Precise 51x51mm square dimensions -- oversized or undersized prints are rejected

Dominican Republic-Specific Rules

Glasses: The DGP prohibits all glasses in passport photos. Prescription glasses, reading glasses, sunglasses, and decorative frames are all banned. This is a complete prohibition with no exceptions -- remove glasses before the photo is taken. This rule aligns with the trend across Caribbean nations toward glasses-free biometric photos.

Head coverings: Not allowed unless worn for documented religious reasons. The full face from the forehead to the chin and from ear to ear must be visible without obstruction. The covering may not cast shadows on any part of the face. Decorative hair accessories that alter the silhouette of the head should also be removed.

Cedula cross-reference: The DGP works closely with the Junta Central Electoral (JCE -- Central Electoral Board), which administers the cedula de identidad (national ID card). Passport photos are cross-referenced against the cedula database. Significant discrepancies between the passport photo and the cedula record -- due to aging, weight change, or substantial appearance alteration -- can trigger a request to update the cedula first before the passport application can proceed.

Clothing: Civilian clothing only. No military, police, or institutional uniforms. Avoid white tops, which blend with the white background and create poor contrast at the shoulder line.

Photo recency: Must have been taken within six months of the application. Given the cedula cross-reference, submitting an old photo that differs markedly from your current ID record almost always causes processing delays.

Number of photos: Two identical 51x51mm prints are required per application. Bring four as backup in case any are damaged.

Digital retouching: The DGP does not accept photos that have been digitally modified. Beauty filters, skin smoothing, AI enhancement, and facial feature reshaping will cause the photo to fail biometric comparison against the cedula record and the live appearance check at the DGP counter. Submit photos without any post-processing applied.

Photo age for children: The same six-month recency requirement applies to children's photos. Given that children's appearances change rapidly, particularly for infants and toddlers, submitting a recent photo is especially important to avoid cedula-related mismatches.

Where to Get Passport Photos in the Dominican Republic

Photo studios in Santo Domingo (Estudio fotografico / Foto carnet): The area around the Centro de los Heroes (where the DGP office is located), the Zona Colonial, and commercial corridors along Avenida 27 de Febrero and Avenida Abraham Lincoln concentrate numerous ID-photo studios. A set of four prints costs 200-500 DOP (Dominican pesos). Studios near the DGP process passport applicants continuously and know the current specifications by heart. Ask for "fotos para pasaporte dominicano -- formato 2x2" to confirm the square format.

Studios in Santiago, La Romana, and regional cities: Santiago de los Caballeros has several studios along Calle del Sol and near the Monumento. La Romana studios near the central market serve a steady flow of passport applicants. Expect 150-400 DOP per set in these cities. Studios near DGP satellite offices are most reliable.

Photo kiosks in malls and commercial centers: Agora Mall, Blue Mall, Sambil, and Aro & Pedre in Santo Domingo have photo kiosks or mini-studios offering passport photos for 200-350 DOP. These are convenient for applicants combining errands with their passport visit. Most kiosks display on-screen positioning guides.

Farmacias and copy centers: Pharmacy chains and multi-service copy shops (centros de copiado) in urban areas offer basic passport photo services for 100-250 DOP. Quality depends heavily on the operator -- verify that the background is true white and that the head fills the correct proportion of the 51mm frame before accepting.

Dominican diaspora: Dominicans applying at consulates in New York, Miami, Boston, Providence, Madrid, or other cities can use any studio that produces 2x2 inch (51x51mm) photos with a white background. In the US, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart photo centers all produce 2x2 inch photos at approximately $10-15 USD -- the Dominican format matches the US standard exactly. This is one of the few cases where a US passport photo can be directly reused for another country's passport.

DIY at home: Stand against a white wall with natural front-facing light. Have someone photograph you at eye level from roughly 1.5 metres using a smartphone rear camera. Crop to 51x51mm using an online tool, then print on photo paper. Do not use regular printer paper. Verify the head fills the correct proportion of the square frame before printing.

Baby and Child Passport Photos

Dominican law mandates individual passports for all citizens, including newborns:

Infants under 12 months: The baby must be photographed alone on a white background. Lay the infant on a clean white sheet and take the photo from directly above. A parent may hold the baby upright, but their hands and body must be completely hidden. Eyes may be partially closed for very young infants under 6 months. No pacifiers, bottles, bibs, or hats.

Children aged 1 to 5: Both eyes open, looking at the camera, with a neutral expression. The DGP applies reasonable tolerance for very young children who cannot fully control their facial expression. The white background, 51x51mm format, and head-height proportions must match adult standards. Two identical photos required.

Children aged 6 and above: Full adult specifications apply. No modifications or tolerance for expression or positioning.

Practical note: Many Dominican studios near the DGP office have props and setups specifically for infant photography, including small chairs, white backdrops, and experience handling young children. Studios charge the same rate for children's photos as for adults. Schedule morning appointments when children are most alert.

Common Rejection Reasons

The DGP and Dominican photo studios identify these as the leading causes of photo rejection:

1. Wrong dimensions -- Submitting 35x45mm prints instead of the Dominican 51x51mm format is the top error, especially among Dominicans who take photos at studios in European countries or Latin American neighbors that default to the ICAO standard
2. Glasses in the photo -- The complete prohibition catches applicants who assume clear prescription glasses are acceptable
3. Cedula mismatch -- The submitted photo diverges significantly from the applicant's current JCE/cedula record, triggering a hold until the cedula photo is updated
4. Background not white -- Off-white, light blue, or grey backgrounds from non-Dominican studios are rejected
5. Smiling or visible teeth -- Even a slight smile is flagged during the DGP's review process
6. Low print quality -- Inkjet prints on regular paper, photos printed too dark, or images with visible pixelation from low-resolution source files

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Dominican passport photo format the same as the US format? A: Yes. Both countries use 51x51mm (2x2 inches). If you have a recent US passport photo with a white background taken within the last six months, it may work for your Dominican application as well, provided it meets all other DGP requirements.

Q: Can I wear glasses in my Dominican Republic passport photo? A: No. The DGP prohibits all glasses without exception. Remove them before the photo is taken.

Q: I am a Dominican living in the US. Where do I apply for a passport? A: At the nearest Dominican consulate. Major consulates with full passport services are located in New York, Miami, Boston, Providence, Paterson, and other cities with large Dominican communities. Photo specifications are identical to in-country applications.

Q: How many photos do I need? A: Two identical 51x51mm photos. Bring four -- extra copies prevent delays if one is damaged or if the DGP requests additional prints during processing.

Q: Do I need to update my cedula before applying for a passport? A: If your current appearance has changed substantially from your cedula photo (significant weight change, different facial hair, etc.), the DGP may require you to update your cedula at the JCE first. It is advisable to ensure your cedula photo is current before starting the passport process.

Q: Can I take my own passport photo at home? A: Yes, if it meets all specifications. Use a white background, front-facing natural light, and crop to the 51x51mm square format using an online tool. Print on photo paper -- regular printer paper is not accepted by the DGP.