Garda Age Card Photo
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Garda Age Card Photo - Requirements & Size
Height: 45 mm
- Head height: 34.5 mm
- Top of the Photo to Top of the Hair: 3 mm
How to take a photo?
The Garda Age Card is required for people who live in Ireland and Irish citizens who have reached 18 years of age, to prove that its holder has reached the legal age for purchasing alcohol. There is no other purpose to it. However, one of the requirements to get it is a photograph and for this you will need to take the right photo to be able to get your Garda Age Card.
Read this guide to find out how to take a picture for the Age Card, as well as other documents, and how to meet the general requirements for applying for and submitting your application for the Garda Age Card.
Garda Age Card photo requirements
The process for getting an Irish Age Card consists of submitting a biometric photo in order to be able to check its holder’s identity by the governing authorities. Below we will be describing the dimensions and specifications regarding the photo for your Ireland Age Card.
There are many official requirements that a photo needs to meet in order to be suitable for an Irish Age Card. We encourage you to take a look at the list of the following requirements regarding photo size, background, face and facial expression, head, clothing, etc.
Photo size of a Garda Age Card
The Age Card photo dimensions are 35mmx45mm (3.5cmx4.5cm), just like the standard European passport photo size. Depending on the dpi the resolution in pixels will be different:
- where the dpi=100 the size of the Age Card photo should be 350x450 px, 350 pixels in width and 450 pixels in height,
- where the dpi=300 the dimensions are 1050x1350px, 1050 pixels in width and 1350 pixels in height.
Background
The background should be plain and white or lightly-coloured. There should not be any visible objects in the background.
Face
The photographed person has to directly face the camera with their full face visible. Both edges of the face should be clearly visible. Photographs with the red-eye effect are not accepted.
Facial expression
The facial expression should be natural and neutral. Smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows or unusual expressions are considered to be unacceptable.
Head & ears
The head of the person being photographed should not be tilted up, down or to the side, but centred. Headphones and other items should not be worn. Nothing can obscure the face.
Attire
Casual clothing is required. Extravagant outfits or uniforms might cause the photo to be rejected. Religious clothing, however, is allowed.
Glasses
The photograph needs to show the eyes clearly with no light reflection coming off the glasses, so no tinted lenses. The frames cannot cover any part of the eyes and sunglasses are not permitted.
Contrast and editing
Only original photographs are acceptable and they must be in focus. Photocopied or digitally scanned pictures will not be accepted. They must not be digitally altered or retouched to change the person’s appearance in any way.
Disqualifying mistakes while taking photos to Garda Age Card
Taking photographs for documents like the Garda Age Card may seem like a simple process, but you might encounter some problems that will lead to your application being rejected, so you need to make sure that the photo you submit is 100% correct.
To help you understand what it is better NOT to do, we have prepared a shortlist to help you avoid the most common mistakes:
- Not looking directly into the camera,
- Head tilted or a profile view,
- The face is not centred in the picture,
- Smile or grimace on the face,
- Patterns or shadows in the background,
- Face partly covered by hair or headwear.
- Reflection from glasses (consider taking them off for a moment when taking a photo)
What you must not do, here is a list of DON’TS:
- DON’T change the picture with any computer software,
- DON’T cut the head out from a bigger picture,
- DON’T poorly expose the photo (underlit or overlit),
- DON’T take a blurred photograph,
- DON’T submit damaged or scratched (if printed) pictures,
- DON’T Print a photo on your house printer (inkjet printer) but instead go to a place that professionally prints photos for documents.
Garda Age Card photo tool
Do you want to have your photo ready in just 3 seconds? Use our photo tool which resizes, removes the background and checks whether your photo for your Irish Age Card meets all the specified requirements. The application process will seem so much easier for you because you don’t have to leave your house and you can do everything by yourself very quickly! Just use our mobile app or website and be proud of your Age Card portrait.
If you need help with your photo for the Garda Age Card, use our app or website which will do everything for you while you are sitting on the sofa at home. You have a guarantee that the picture for your Age Card will be accepted by your government.
Digital biometric photos are a good option for people who don’t want to leave their house at all while taking photos for documents. Just upload a picture with your phone and the PhotoAiD app will do the rest.
Garda Age Card photo mobile app
It is important to know how to upload a photo to our photo mobile app if you want to use this option and make your Garda Age Card look good. If you use the Appstore to get our photo tool app on your iPhone or Google Play on Android, read on to see how it works. Our app works just as well on iOS as it does on Android so you won’t have to worry about choosing which device to download it on, so try our app now and you will see how fast and easy it really is!
After downloading the app, upload your picture, choose the document you need your photo for which, in this case, is the Garda Age Card. Afterwards, the app will resize your picture to the required specifications. Then, you choose if you want the free option or an upgraded (paid) one. You can use our background remover to change the background colour or remove it along with any patterns. Furthermore, you can let the app edit your photo a little and still meet the official government requirements. At the end, it verifies if your picture meets the standards of the chosen document and if it does, we will send you your photo, that is ready for your Garda Age Card application, via e-mail or regular mail straight to your door, the choice is yours.
You really should consider trying our app or online photo service - it is basically free of charge and your photo will be ready within a few seconds!
Last update: 07/12/2021
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What do you need for a Garda Age Card?
To apply for an Irish Age Card you must be an Irish citizen who is over 18 years old and submit documents such as a birth certificate, valid passport or an Irish Residence Permit Card, one recent passport-sized photograph as well as other forms of identification and a credit/debit card or an Age Card voucher.
❓ Can you smile in an Age Card photo?
A neutral facial expression is required and you cannot smile, show your teeth, grimace, wiggle your eyebrows or squint your eyes.
❓ What is a Garda Age Card?
Individuals aged 18 and over can apply for an age card to show that they have reached the legal age for purchasing alcohol. It is a proof of age card and not an identity document. It can only be used for this purpose.
❓ How much does it cost for a proof of Age Card?
An Irish Age Card costs €10 and the cost for a replacement, should the original be lost, damaged or destroyed, is the same.
❓ Can I take a photo for my Age Card with a phone?
When you meet the requirements regarding Age Cards you can take a photo for this document by yourself. The background has to be white or lightly-coloured and your face directly facing the camera, you should have a neutral expression and not be wearing anything that covers your face, head or ears.
❓ What is the correct size for a Garda Age Card photo?
The Age Card photo dimensions are 35mmx45mm (3.5cmx4.5cm), the same as a standard European passport photo. For a digital picture the size is different depending on the dpi resolution in pixels. If the dpi is 100 then the photo should be 350x450 px, 350 pixels in width and 450 pixels in height. If the dpi is 300 the photo should be 1050x1350 px, so 1050 pixels in width and 1350 pixels in height.
❓ Can I edit the photo for my Age Card?
Editing is not allowed and you are absolutely forbidden from changing the picture by using any computer software. You are not allowed to remove any scars, spots, tattoos or retouch the photo, because it will be rejected.
❓ Can I renew my Garda Age Card?
There is no expiry date on your Age Card so you do not need to renew it. However, you might need a replacement in case it is lost or damaged. You can apply online for a replacement card for 10 euros.
❓ How can I change the background of an Age Card photo?
You cannot edit photos for documents but you can use professional photo tools which will edit your picture by meeting the official requirements. One of the tools that our PhotoAiD app uses is a background remover, which will remove and replace the background of your image, thus you will have the correct background. This function is also available on the website.
About the document
Garda Age Card
The Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 2010 provides for a voluntary Age Card scheme. Age Cards can be obtained by individuals aged 18 and over to show that they have reached the legal age for purchasing alcohol.
An Age Card is a proof of age card and not an identity document. The Age Card is solely for the purpose stated above and cannot be used for any other purpose.
The Age Card shows:
- Name,
- Date of birth,
- Identifying photograph,
- Relevant security features (such as a metal hologram, embossed symbol, encoded magnetic stripe, etc.).
How to apply for the Garda Age Card?
You can apply and pay for your Age Card online. Within 3 working days of applying you will receive an application form containing your details.
You must take the application form, along with your photograph and proof of identity to your local Garda Station for authentication within 3 months. The Garda Station will forward your application form and photograph to the printers and you will receive your Age Card within 10 working days.
You can track your application online provided you know your application form number.
Garda Age Card application requirements
The process of the application for an Irish Age Card requires submitting some documents. Have a look below to find out what you need to attach while applying.
Required documents:
- A birth certificate,
- A valid passport or an Irish Residence Permit Card,
- One recent passport-sized photograph,
- One other form of identification,
- A credit/debit card or an Age Card voucher (available from any post office).
Garda Age Card fees
An Irish Age Card costs €10 and the price of a replacement is the same.
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