A temporary identity certificate (TIC) is needed when your smart ID card remains to be approved in time for voting or when your identity document is lost, damaged, or stolen.
South Africa Temporary ID Photo Requirements
Unqualified photos will result in the rejection of your TIC application. To make sure everything goes smoothly, it is necessary to learn about temporary ID photo requirements.
The temporary ID photo size must be 35mm (width) x 45mm (height), equal to 3.5cm x 4.5cm, or 1.38in. x 1.78in. The face of the subject should occupy 70 – 80% (approx. 32-36mm high). The blank area overhead should measure 3mm high.
A black-and-white ID photo is not acceptable. As it must present the color of hair, skin, facial features, and clothes, the image must be colored. Make sure the lighting is sufficient and uniform, thus ensuring proper exposure and sharp colors.
The ID photo background should be plain white and without shadows. Messy, stained, or uneven backdrops will be rejected. No other persons or items are allowed to appear within the frame.
The resolution is suggested to be at least 600 DPI (828x1068 inches). The higher the resolution is, the more details the picture will show, thus ensuring the clarity of printed photos.
A relaxed and neutral expression is a must. Your eyes must be fully open and stare straight ahead while your mouth should be closed. Avoid smiling, grinning, pouting, frowning, grimacing, or other exaggerated facial expressions.
Spectacles or contact lenses with see-through and non-reflective lenses are allowed. Thick frames might cast shadows on your face and tinted lenses obscure your eyes or facial features, so they must be avoided.
Decent clothes that are worn daily are suggested. Avoid uniforms, vests, and off-shoulder tops. Head coverings are prohibited unless for religious reasons and make sure the veil does not cover your face.
Print the photo on premium photo paper, thus clearly showing your true appearance.
Can I Wear Makeup for ID Photo in South Africa
Yes. It can make you look refreshed in the picture, but don't put on too much makeup in case it changes your facial features and original skin or pupil colors. For example, the authority might fail to recognize you from smoky eyes, spider lashes, too many layers of foundation, or overdrawn lips, thus turning down your application.
What Is the Best Color to Wear for a Temporary ID Photo
What you wear must be in contrast with the white background. White, cream-color, or similar colors are not suitable. Otherwise, it will blend into the background and only your head is visible. Therefore, dark or bright colors are recommended, such as black, navy, red, pink, green, etc. Mixed colors, striped patterns, or camouflage dressing might seem dazzling, so solid colors are optimal choices. Additionally, you are not supposed to wear uniforms and costumes no matter what color it is.
Do I Need a New ID Photo If My Appearance Changed?
Yes. The temporary ID photo in South Africa must reveal your current look. That's why an ID photo should be taken within the last month at the time of application. Supposing that you have a different appearance during this period or after obtaining the ID card, you have to submit a new biometric photo for re-issuance. This requirement applies to the following conditions, except hairstyling or growing a beard.
- You have removed, changed, or added facial tattoos and piercings.
- You have put on or lost a lot of weight, thus obviously altering the face contour and facial features.
- You have had plastic surgery involving the face and neck.
- You have changed your gender.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Taking ID Photos
It is disappointing to be rejected due to an unqualified ID photo. Worse still, you might have to go through the whole application process from the very beginning. It does happen even if you have got acquainted with the temporary ID photo requirements. Therefore, it is necessary to learn about common mistakes that lead to rejection.
It usually results from manual resizing. Conventional graphic editing tools require users to manually cut out the subject or enter dimension values to adjust the whole frame, thus generating inaccurate temporary ID photo measurements. Our automatic photo resizer tool, AiPassportPhotos, would help to guarantee ID photo size in South Africa.
- Insufficient, Uneven, or Extra-strong Lighting
It will lead to a dim face, light and shade contrast, shadows, under-exposure, over-exposure, etc. Moreover, if the photo is taken with flash, there might be a "red-eye" effect which is also prohibited in identification photos.
Looking around and lowering, raising, or tilting your head will be rejected. Moreover, you might be used to smiling or making faces in life photos, but it is not allowed in ID photos.
It is forbidden to alter facial features and original skin color in pictures of official documents, so you should avoid removing blemishes, smoothing wrinkles, adding filters, or adjusting Hue/Saturation/Contrast.
Temporary ID pictures with staple holes, creases, and markings will be returned. Moreover, never submit faded or yellowed old photos or pictures that are scanned or captured from what has already been printed on the passport, credential, or other documents.
How To Look Good In A ID Photo South Africa
People always focus on the temporary ID photo requirements while taking photos, thus ignoring the aesthetic of the picture. That's why some of us are unsatisfied with the head-and-shoulder photo on our ID card. It deserves to spend some time preparing a good-looking ID photo.
- Practice facial expressions in advance. Try to show a natural and relaxing look instead of an irritated or stiff face.
- Look straight ahead naturally instead of goggling at the camera.
- Groom your hair and keep it off your face. Organize it behind the ears or tie a ponytail. Part your bangs in case of covering the foreheads and eyes.
- Put on light makeup, such as a lightweight foundation, a bit of color to your cheeks, and light-colored lipsticks.
- Try not to wear eyeglasses in case of generating glare, reflection, or shadows.
- Make use of natural lighting which can bring out the true appearance and color.
Where To Take ID Photos Near Me
Taking high-quality and compliant ID photos takes a lot of time and effort, so it is essential to find a suitable photo service provider. When it comes to where to take ID photos, here are some reliable options.
PostNet is one of the retailers that provide ID photo services in South Africa. The staff will take care of everything to meet official guidelines, including temporary ID photo measurements, correct alignment, appropriate background, resolution, etc. Both digital and printed copies will be provided. There are more than 460 branches across the country. It’s suggested to contact the local PostNet center to confirm whether photo service is available.
The photographer's workshop is good at taking portraits for all kinds of purposes, including applying for ID cards. There are various lighting rigs, backdrops, and props so as to make perfect photo shooting. You have to make sure the photographer is clear about the temporary ID photo requirements, thus ensuring photo compliance.
It is a self-serve cabinet to make funny bighead shots at weddings, corporate events, and private parties. Moreover, some photo booth companies establish them in shopping malls, business streets, transportation hubs, etc., allowing users to take a formal biometric photo by themselves and print it out.
With AiPassportPhotos, you can make a qualified ID picture at home with mobile devices or computers. The online ID photo maker works 24/7, so you can take a picture at any time and anywhere instead of driving around to look for a physical store and waiting for hours.
Online ID Photo Maker for South African Temporary ID Photo
AiPassportPhotos promises to provide 100% acceptable biometric photos. It will All you need is to take a picture and upload it on the official website. Supported by AI technology, the online ID photo maker integrates the following features into one tool.
With a preset built-in template, AiPassportPhotos can automatically and accurately adjust the picture to the temporary ID photo size (35x45mm) with proper dimensions and ratios.
Once the background is detected as unqualified, it will be removed and replaced. The subject is accurately cropped out and every detail is maintained.
- Temporary ID Photo Validator
AiPassportPhotos will scan the whole picture and check whether it complies with official temporary ID photo requirements by considering lighting, face visibility, photo quality, etc. The process takes only several seconds.
- Support Over 150+ Formats
Besides temporary ID pictures, there are hundreds of photo templates for most official documents for both adults and children, such as photos for driver's licenses, firearms licenses, passports, visas, smart ID cards, and so forth.
FAQ:
Q: Does PostNet take ID photos?
A: Yes, and it is suggested to tell the employee what temporary ID photo measurements you want.
Q: How much does it cost to take ID photo?
A: The cost may vary according to where to take ID photos. Offline service costs a few dollars to dozens while AiPassportPhotos costs 0 to a few cents for each picture.
Q: How many photos do you need for a temporary ID?
A: Two identical paper photos are needed.