Tramilisto

How to send your ID card front and back

Many Spanish procedures ask for a copy of your DNI, NIE or TIE, front and back. Here's how to make it with your phone, as a PDF or as two images, so it's readable and isn't rejected.

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First, check which format is required

Each form asks for the ID copy in its own way. Look at the field where you have to upload it:

  • A single file: usually a PDF with both sides, on one page or two.
  • Two files, one per side: for example, the INSS benefit application without a certificate asks for an image of each side of the DNI or NIE, up to 4 MB each.
  • A specific format: if it only accepts PDF or only JPG, convert it before uploading.

How to photograph your ID so it's readable

  1. Place it on a flat, dark surface, such as a table, so the edges stand out.
  2. Use natural light and no flash. Flash creates a glare on the plastic that hides details.
  3. Shoot from directly above, parallel to the card, so it isn't distorted.
  4. Check that every detail is readable, including the support number and the bottom area of the back.
  5. If your phone has a document scanner, use it: it crops and straightens automatically. See our guide to scanning documents with your phone.

If both sides must go in one PDF

With our tool to put your ID card front and back in one PDF:

  1. Upload the photo of the front and the back.
  2. The tool places them on the same A4 page, like a photocopy.
  3. Download the PDF and check it's readable before uploading it.

If the PDF is larger than the procedure allows, compress it to a specific size.

If each side must be a separate image

Upload each photo separately. If one is over the limit, reduce it to the size required; for example, 1 MB or 500 KB is still perfectly readable. If your phone saves photos as HEIC and the form doesn't accept them, convert them to JPG.

Protect your ID copy

A copy of your ID can be used to impersonate you. Only upload it to official e-offices or to whoever genuinely needs it, and avoid sending it by email or messaging apps if you have another option.

With our tools, the photo of your ID never leaves your device: everything is processed in your browser.

Frequently asked questions

Is a phone photo of my ID acceptable?

Generally yes, as long as every detail is readable and there's no glare or cropped areas. If the procedure explicitly asks for a scanned or certified copy, follow its instructions.

Do both sides go on one page or two?

If the procedure doesn't say, a single page with both sides is the most convenient and closest to a photocopy. If separate files are required, upload one image per side.

What if my ID file is too big?

Reduce the image or compress the PDF to the size required. A photo of an ID card is perfectly readable at under 1 MB.

Does this work for a NIE or TIE too?

Yes. The process is the same for any two-sided identity card.

Official sources

Tools