How to photograph your ID
How to photograph your ID
Most rejections are not caused by the document itself. They are caused by lighting and file size. Follow the three rules below and your document will usually be accepted on the first attempt.
- 01Shoot in a bright room, flash offKeep the light to your side and shoot square-on.
- 02Fill the frameBut keep all four corners inside it.
- 03Keep the file under 2 MBIf it is larger, see "Reducing the file size" below.
Identity verification runs on MatchMove, which accepts images up to 2 MB (2,048 KB) per file. Our own upload screen accepts up to 5 MB, but anything above 2 MB will fail when the file is passed on to MatchMove. Most phones save photos at 3–8 MB by default, so an unedited photo will usually be too large to send.
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG / PNG |
| File size | 2 MB or less |
| Recommended resolution | 1,600–2,000 px on the long edge |
| Document condition | Unexpired, all four corners visible |
Taking the photo
- Choose your spot. Daylight near a window, or a plain white ceiling light. Place the document on a dark, flat surface so its edges stand out.
- Check the light. Never use the flash — laminated documents reflect it and the name and number wash out. Make sure your own shadow does not fall across the document.
- Move in close. The document should fill about 80% of the frame. Hold your phone parallel to the document, not at an angle.
- Check before sending. Zoom in and confirm you can read the name, date of birth, address, document number, and expiry date.
Notes for each document type
Driver's licence — Both the front and the back are required. If the back shows an address change, make sure that text is legible.
Passport — Photograph the photo page opened flat. A curved page distorts the machine-readable zone (the two rows of characters at the bottom). Weigh the book down or hold the edges, keeping your fingers clear of the text.
My Number card — Submit the front only. The back carries your individual number and is not required.
Reducing the file size
iPhone — Open the photo, share it by email to yourself, and choose Medium at the size prompt. Save the received image and submit that. Alternatively, set Settings → Camera → Formats to Most Compatible before shooting.
Android — Open the photo in Google Photos, then Edit → Save → Save copy. On some devices it is more reliable to set the camera resolution to Standard or 2M and reshoot.
Computer — Open in Paint (Windows) or Preview (macOS), resize the long edge to 1600 px, and save as JPEG.
If it still fails
| What you see | Cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Upload fails | File over 2 MB | Reduce it using the steps above |
| Document unreadable | Glare, blur, or shadow | Turn off the flash and reshoot in better light |
| Document is cut off | Corners outside the frame | Step back and include all four corners |
| Repeated rejections | Document has expired | Use a valid document |
If none of these help, open a support ticket and paste the exact error message you saw.
Did this page help?
Your answer tells us which pages need rewriting.
- The exact error text shown on screen
- Which document you submitted (licence, passport, etc.)
- The device you used and how many times you retried
Never include your password, verification codes or card PIN. How tickets work