The quality of the facial image largely depends both on the professionalism of the graphic station specialist and on the external appearance of the applicant.
In order to obtain the facial image in accordance with the technological requirements and to ensure a corresponding aesthetic aspect to the photo on the identity card, it is necessary to follow a series of recommendations regarding clothing, hairstyle, makeup, accessories and jewelry.
When photographing the applicant for identity documents, the following recommendations should be taken into account:
- classic style (sober). The dress code can be casual or business. The color scheme should be solid, but not white (the photos for identity documents are taken on a white background);
- recommended 
- not recommended
- the oval of the face must be completely visible (the bangs must not cover the eyebrows - the distinctive element of the face);
- recommended - not recommended
- the head must be uncovered (except for religious and medical circumstances, with the submission of confirmatory medical documents (if applicable) and written notice of the Head of the IDO/MC. The photo in uniform is not allowed);
- corresponds - do not correspond
- photographing with glasses is not allowed, except for people who wear them constantly in everyday life (with transparent lenses, without flashes). Glasses and frames should not darken or distort the contour of the face, the eyes should be clearly visible;
- corresponds - do not correspond
- persons with long necks are advised to wear clothes with a higher collar that covers the base of the neck when taking photos, otherwise, after cropping the photo, the top of the clothes may not be visible in the final photo.
- recommended - not recommended
- the facial image of a child must meet the same specifications as facial image of the adults. For children (under the age of 11 years old), the head size up to 50% of the height of the photo is allowed, if necessary to maintain the photographic quality of the image, to avoid distortion.
The child's eyes should be open, the mouth closed, and the gaze should be aimed directly into the camera lens.
- corresponds - do not correspond
It is not recomended to make photos:
- in clothes with a deep V cut (according to technical requirements, the size of the head should be 2/3 of the total surface of the photo - after cropping the photo, the top of the clothes may not be visible);
- recommended - not recommended
- with excessively high hairstyle (according to technological requirements, up to 10% of the total height of the photo is reserved for the hairstyle, and the minimum height of the head cannot be less than 70%);
- recommended - not recommended
- with excessively voluminous and asymmetrical hairstyle (voluminous hairstyles can cover the entire white background; if the hairstyle is smaller, the photos for identity documents will look neater. The shoulders and the clothes should be visible);
- recommended - not recommended
It is nor recommended to make photos:
- with accessories or other excessively large hair ornaments;
- with bright or too pronounced makeup - ladies are advised to use light daytime makeup.
In case of issuing a passport of the citizen of the Republic of Moldova, it is recommended that the applicant have clean hands and a length of nails that allows fingerprinting.
If, since the issuance of the last identity document, there have occured any changes in the appearance of a person’s face, caused by surgery, including plastic surgery, traumatisms (injuries, scars), tattooing, and other changes that do not allow to identify a person with certainty, he/she must submit additional supporting medical records.