Document and selfie capture guidelines

This topic lists tips and best practices that can help you with document and selfie capture. Its purpose is to minimize human error during the capturing process and minimize the probability of capturing blurry or otherwise unusable images.

Improve document capture

  • Clean your camera's lenses and find a well-lit area with sufficient natural sunlight.
  • Ensure that the screen rotation lock is turned off on your mobile device. When the screen rotation lock is off your device screen should freely rotate between landscape and portrait mode. To test this, open your web browser such as Safari or Google Chrome and verify that screen changes between portrait and landscape mode when you turn your device sideways.
  • Place your ID document on top of a solid-colored dark background. Avoid any background with patterns that could blend with your ID document because this will make it difficult to distinguish between your ID document and the background.
  • Ensure that the lighting does not create reflections, glares, or shadows on the ID document. You can avoid this easily by taking the photos in an area with a lot of natural sunlight.
  • Keep the focus on the ID document while capturing is in progress. Hold the camera steady and keep your arms and elbows against your body to reduce movement and avoid capturing a blurry image.
  • After capturing your ID document, you will have the opportunity to review the captured image. If the captured image is blurry, out of focus, or you see reflections, glare, or shadow on your ID document, use the available option to retake the photo.

Improve selfie capture

  • Do not wear sunglasses, hats, headbands, or other accessories that cover your face.
  • Ensure that you have good lighting. An area with a lot of natural sunlight will work best.
  • Position yourself in front of the camera within the selfie oval shaped frame displayed on the screen.
  • Follow the instructions on the screen and smile when prompted to do so.
  • After capturing your selfie, you will have the opportunity to review the captured image. If the captured image is blurry or out of focus, use the available option to retake the photo.