Chile uses a square 4.5x4.5cm photo on a white background. Argentina next door uses a 4x4cm square — the two are not interchangeable.
the Registro Civil photographs you at the appointment; you do not need to bring one
A square 4.5x4.5cm photo — and why the Argentine square next door will not do.
Both are square; the sizes still differ.
European photos are the wrong shape entirely.
Square frames need vertical centring too.
Plain and evenly lit.
Chile 4.5x4.5cm, Argentina 4x4cm — not interchangeable.
Chile uses a square 45x45mm photo. Argentina, right next door, uses a square 40x40mm. Both being square makes it tempting to assume they are the same specification. They are not, and a five-millimetre difference is a rejection.
It is a useful reminder more generally: geographic proximity says nothing about photo specs. The Gulf states are six neighbours with five different formats.
Registro Civil offices capture photos on site.
Passport applications inside Chile go through Registro Civil e Identificación, where the photo and biometrics are normally captured during the appointment.
Your own photo matters most when applying through a Chilean consulate abroad, where on-site capture may not be available. Check with the consulate handling your application before you travel to the appointment.
Plain white, evenly lit, no shadow.
Use a plain white background with nothing behind you. Stand about a metre from the wall so your body does not cast a shadow onto it.
Light your face evenly from the front. Because the frame is square and relatively large, uneven lighting across the background is more visible than it would be in a narrow rectangle.
Front view, neutral expression, eyes open.
Face the camera straight on with a neutral expression, mouth closed and both eyes open and clearly visible.
Head height is not published as a precise millimetre figure; the usual guidance for these square South American formats puts the head at roughly 70-75% of the frame, which is what this tool targets.
Printed at 45 x 45mm, 1063 x 1063px, JPG/PNG. Computed from this photo's own specification, not typed by hand.
Requirements verified
Watch out — Photo taken at the appointment — the Registro Civil photographs you at the appointment; you do not need to bring one
Create the square 4.5x4.5cm photo a Chilean passport needs — white background, centred both ways, free and 100% private.
Choose a clear, recent photo from your phone or computer.
We crop to a square 45x45mm and centre your head both ways.
Save the file and print it at 4.5x4.5cm.
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