A carte Vitale photo is the ID photo for the French health insurance card issued by the Assurance Maladie: 35 × 45 mm, in colour, on a plain, light-coloured background and taken less than 2 years ago. You either upload it in your ameli account (compte ameli) or glue a printed copy onto the paper form you receive by post. IDPhotoBy prepares the photo for your carte Vitale in both formats.
Carte Vitale Photo: 35 × 45 mm for Your ameli Account or the Paper Form
Upload a photo you already have: IDPhotoBy crops it to 35 × 45 mm, checks the framing and background, and gives you a JPEG between 50 KB and 2 MB plus a sheet to print on photo paper.
Photo size: 35×45 mm · Background: white · Accepted for online submission
Official source: ameli.fr, ameli.fr, ameli.fr, forum-assures.ameli.fr, forum-assures.ameli.fr, forum-assures.ameli.fr, forum-assures.ameli.fr, service-public.gouv.fr
Specifications verified: September 28, 2026
Our photos meet international government standards.
Carte Vitale photo requirements
Assurance Maladie advisers give these criteria for the photo:
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Colour and print | In colour, sharp, printed on photo paper |
| Background | Plain and light-coloured |
| Pose | Front-facing, head bare, face uncovered and centred |
| Eyes | Visible and open |
| Glasses | Allowed if your eyes are clearly visible, with no frame hiding them, no tinted lenses and no flash reflection |
| Lighting | Even, without shadows |
| Age of the photo | Taken less than 2 years ago; a good likeness |
Uploading the photo in your ameli account
You can order the card online in your ameli account, on the website or in the Compte ameli app. You upload a digital ID photo together with a scanned ID document that is valid (less than 15 years old).
- Format: JPEG, JPG or PDF.
- File size: between 50 KB and 2 MB; files under 50 KB are refused.
- Dimensions: at least 400 × 500 pixels and at most 4000 × 6000 pixels.
- In the app: you can take the photo directly with your phone camera (a selfie) or upload one you prepared beforehand.
Sending the paper form by post
If you prefer paper, use the “Carte Vitale” or “Ma nouvelle carte Vitale” form that your health insurance fund (caisse) mails to you:
- Glue a colour ID photo in the space provided.
- Attach a photocopy of a valid photo ID.
- Return everything in the pre-filled envelope that comes with the form, without any other document. Postage is at your cost.
How to prepare your carte Vitale photo online
- Take a sharp, front-facing photo in even light against a plain, light wall, or use one you already have.
- Upload it here; the carte Vitale is already selected.
- IDPhotoBy crops it to 35 × 45 mm and checks the framing and the background.
- Preview the result, then download the JPEG for your ameli account and a printable sheet for the paper form.
Who can order a carte Vitale
- You need a social security number to get a carte Vitale. Once you have your definitive social security number, the “Ma nouvelle carte Vitale” form is mailed to you.
- The Assurance Maladie issues the card itself free of charge through your CPAM; members of the agricultural scheme order it from their MSA.
- The documents are the same whichever way you order: an ID document and an ID photo. For a child, both must be the child’s own.
- Cards issued since 2007 carry the holder’s photo, but a carte Vitale without a photo remains valid: there is no need to order a new one.
No e-photo code or approved photographer needed
The current official carte Vitale pages ask for no e-photo code and do not require an approved photographer; the Compte ameli app even lets you take a selfie. For a French passport or ID card photo, see our France passport photo and France ID card photo pages.
IDPhotoBy formats the photo you upload: it crops it to 35 × 45 mm and checks the framing and background. It does not retouch your face, and it makes no acceptance promise: the Assurance Maladie decides.
Check the official application portal before submitting.