Bhutan Citizenship Identity Card (CID) Photo — Official Requirements & Compliant Reference

A compliant photo for Bhutan's Citizenship Identity Card (CID) must meet the precise standards set by the Department of Civil Registration & Census (DCRC) — the authority responsible for issuing all national identity documents in the Kingdom. Getting the measurements, background, and pose exactly right means your appointment at the dzongkhag registration counter proceeds without delay from the moment the officer reviews your file.

Unlike many countries where applicants bring printed photos, Bhutan's CID photograph is captured digitally on-site at the DCRC or dzongkhag civil registration counter at the time of registration — there is no printed photo to submit. That said, preparing a correctly sized reference image in advance has genuine practical value: you see precisely how your face, framing, and background must look before the appointment, you can confirm your appearance is fully compliant before you walk in, and you have a ready file to reuse directly for any other document — passport renewal, visa application, or permit — that accepts digitally submitted photos. Notably, Bhutan's CID photo standard mirrors the national passport specification exactly: 35×45 mm with a plain white background.

• Size: 35 × 45 mm (827 × 1063 px at 600 dpi)
• Background: plain white (#FFFFFF) — no patterns, shadows, or gradients
• Face coverage: face height must fill 70–80% of the total frame height
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed, no smiling
• Eyes: fully open, clearly visible, looking directly at the camera
• Glasses: permitted only when both eyes are fully visible; no tinted lenses, no glare, no reflections
• Headwear: permitted for religious purposes only; fashion hats or caps are not accepted
• Recency: photo must reflect your current appearance, typically taken within the last 6 months
• Lighting: uniform, with no harsh shadows falling on the face or background

Common reasons photos are rejected at DCRC registration counters in Bhutan

• Non-white background: any cream, off-white, or coloured backdrop fails the strict white (#FFFFFF) requirement that matches Bhutan's passport standard
• Face outside the 70–80% height range: a photo taken too far away (face too small in frame) or too close (crown of head cut off) is the single most common technical rejection at registration counters
• Tinted or reflective glasses: even lightly tinted lenses or a glare patch obscuring either eye will require the image to be retaken on the spot
• Non-religious headwear: caps, fashion hats, and decorative head accessories are not accepted; only headwear worn for established religious observance is permitted

Upload your photo to our tool and receive a free watermarked preview — you will see exactly how your image looks cropped and sized to the precise 35 × 45 mm DCRC standard before committing to anything. Once satisfied, download the full-resolution file to keep on hand. It is the fastest way to walk into your registration appointment knowing your photo is exactly right, and to have a ready-to-use compliant image for every future document that requires one.