Iranian ID Photo

The Portrait on Iran’s National Identity Card

Iran’s national identity card, commonly called the Kart-e Melli, places the holder’s portrait alongside their personal particulars and national number. It serves a different documentary role from the more detailed shenasnameh identity booklet. Before preparing an ID photograph, identify which record is being issued or replaced so that the correct application and evidence are assembled.

The US State Department’s civil-document reference describes a full-face portrait on the national card and identifies Iran’s National Organization for Civil Registration as the issuing authority. It records application routes within Iran and through foreign-affairs arrangements for citizens abroad. Confirm the current capture or photo-submission instructions with the office handling your card.

The photo requirements below introduce the photograph’s composition. Our framing, background, facial expression and photo quality explanations help you check that the face is recognisable, while the likeness page explains why appearance should remain natural. Do not treat a scanned identity booklet page as a replacement for a separate photograph if the application asks for one.

Our Iran page provides related Iranian document guidance. Keep the requested identity documents available to reconcile the name, date and registration details on the file, particularly if older documents differ. For an overseas request, use the embassy and consulate directory to locate the appropriate consular contact. Establish which service is available and what appointment is required before preparing the final image or ordering multiple prints.