How to merge both sides of an ID card into one PDF

Front and back of the ID card in a single file, ready to attach to any application.

Updated Aug 20, 2026

To put both sides of an ID card in a single PDF, photograph each side and join them with an images-to-PDF tool. Each side lands on its own page, which is what most filings mean by “ID, both sides”.

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Before you start: take decent photos

  • Lay the ID card on a smooth surface with even light, no direct flash.
  • Frame only the document and avoid shadows and glare on the plastic.
  • Take one photo of the front (the photo side) and one of the back.

Join both sides step by step

  1. Photograph each sideShoot the front and the back of the ID card in good light, on a plain background, with no shadows.
  2. Upload them in orderOpen the JPG to PDF tool and select the front first, then the back.
  3. Download the PDFGenerate the document and download it: it will have both sides, one per page.

If the file is too heavy

Phone photos can produce a bulky PDF. If the portal or form rejects it for size, compress the resulting PDF before you upload. Guest jobs have a per-file limit; a pair of ID photos usually fits, but a stack of extra pages may not.

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Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

In what order do the pages come out?

In the order you select the images. Choose the front first and then the back so the PDF is ordered.

Can I put both sides on the same page?

The tool creates one page per image. If you need both sides on a single sheet, you would have to compose them into one image first.

Does a phone photo work?

Yes, as long as it reads clearly. Avoid glare and crop the extras so the document looks sharp.

Is my ID card stored somewhere?

The image is used only to generate the PDF and the result expires on its own. Still, do not share the file more than you need to. ToolZen has no account and no document library.