• Avoid white clothing because the portrait background for Belgium Passport Picture is white.
• It is best to remove your glasses to eliminate any chances of rejection because of reflections.
• Your expression must be neutral with no frowning or smiling.
• You should be looking directly at the camera. Pictures even slightly in profile have been known to be rejected.
• Two 35mm x 45mm color photos are required.
• The head should occupy a minimum area of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 3.5 cm.
• The background should be light and uniform.
• The first name and surname of the applicant should be written clearly on the back of the photograph.
• Black-and-white photographs are no longer acceptable.
• Belgium Passport photographs must be taken by a professional studio.
• Passport and Visa photo sizes and quantities of photos required change frequently. Please verify the photo specs with your embassy prior to visiting our studio.

Feldman's Photography will create two identical Passport photos for Belgium that will be exactly 35mm x 45mm. As required by the government in Belgium there will be no hard shadows photographed on a solid white background.

There are currently two types of Belgian passport in use:

1. Non-Biometric Belgian passports with a machine-readable zone

Non-Biometric Belgian passports with a machine-readable zone can be identified by:

• The words "European Union" on the cover
• The fact that the photograph is on the left-hand side of the page and is printed
• A page explaining security details.

2. Biometric Belgian passports with a machine-readable zone

• Biometric Belgian passports with a machine-readable zone can be identified by a small symbol on the cover (a circle between two small lines).

Since late 2004, Belgium has been issuing biometric passports incorporating an electronic chip. These meet the high technological and security standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). During this first phase, in accordance with international agreements, the chip contains information such as the passport holder's identity, signature and photograph, i.e. information which is visible to the naked eye on page 2 of the passport. During this initial phase, fingerprints are not yet included on the chip.

Biometric passports are also known as e-passports or electronic passports.

It is important to remember that Belgian passports which do not contain an electronic chip remain valid until their expiry date, which is generally for a period of five years.

Remember: Keep you passport in a safe place and treat it with care to avoid damaging the electronic circuit (avoid bending or cutting and exposure to extreme temperatures, magnetic fields, microwaves and so forth).

Documents required to obtain a passport

To obtain a passport, the following documents must be submitted to the administration (municipality, province, embassy or consulate).

1. Documents required in all circumstances

a) Two recent photographs of the applicant (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm). Photographs should be portrait-style and the applicant should not, as a rule, be wearing any headgear. Headgear may be permitted for religious or medical reasons provided that the face is completely visible. The forehead, cheeks, eyes, nose and chin should not be obstructed in any way. Preferably, but not necessarily, the hair and ears should also be exposed. On the photograph, the head should occupy a minimum area of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 3.5 cm. The background should be light and uniform. The first name and surname of the applicant should be written clearly on the back of the photograph. Photographs must be in color: black-and-white photographs are no longer acceptable.

2. Identity card or birth certificate as proof of identity
3. When applying for a first passport, applicants should submit a certified copy of their birth certificate or their identity card.

Old passport or notification of loss or theft

1. Since a Belgian citizen may generally only hold one valid passport, applicants must submit their old passport for it to be cancelled and/or destroyed. However, if the passport contains visas which are still valid, it will be cancelled but returned to the applicant.
2. In cases where applicants are unable to provide their old passport because it has been lost or stolen, they should submit a document to this effect from the police department <http://www.police.be> (available in French and Dutch only) in the place in which the loss or theft occurred and to which they reported said loss or theft.
   

Children under the age of 18

Application forms for children under the age of 18 should always be signed by the child themselves (from the age of approximately six upwards) and by one parent.
The municipality, province, embassy or consulate may also require the second parent to give their consent. Parental consent may also be given in a separate document.

PLEASE NOTE: The information provided here is purely informational in nature and provided for reference purposes. Interested individuals are advised to contact the embassy or consulate in order to verify that the information they receive is up to date before beginning any application.

Please call 813-685-4343 for your Belgian Passport Photo appointment.