PDF HYDRA

PDF Hydra › Blog

How to Combine ID Card Front and Back in One PDF

Many forms ask you to combine your ID card front and back in one PDF. Banks, employers, universities and visa offices often want both sides of a CNIC or Iqama in a single file. If you only have two photos, or two separate PDFs, this guide shows you how to put them together.

There are two common needs: both sides on one page, or several documents joined into one file. PDF Hydra has a free tool for each, and both run in your browser so your ID stays on your device.

Merge PDF: Combine several PDFs into one file.

Try it free

Take clear photos of both sides

  • Place the card on a dark, plain surface.
  • Use good light and avoid glare on the shiny surface of the card.
  • Hold the phone straight above the card, not at an angle.
  • Make sure every number and letter is sharp before you continue.
  • Crop extra background with Crop Image if needed.

Option 1: Both sides on one A4 page

If the office wants a single page, like a photocopy, use ID Card to PDF. Add a photo of the front and a photo of the back, and the tool places both on one A4 page and saves it as a PDF. It works for CNIC, Iqama, Emirates ID, Aadhaar and other cards.

You can print this page for a paper file or upload the PDF to an online portal.

Option 2: Join files into one PDF with Merge PDF

If you already have PDFs, such as a scanned ID card, a degree and an experience letter, use Merge PDF to put them into one file in the order you want. If your files are still photos, first turn them into PDF with JPG to PDF, which can also put several photos into one PDF on its own.

  1. If your documents are photos, open JPG to PDF, select them and download the PDF.
  2. Open Merge PDF and choose the PDF files you want to join.
  3. Drag them into the right order, for example ID card first, then degree, then letter.
  4. Merge and download your single PDF.
  5. Open the file and check every page is there and the right way up.

Merge PDF: Combine several PDFs into one file.

Try it free

If the file is too big for the form

Photos of ID cards can make a heavy PDF. If the portal says the file is too large, open Compress PDF to 100KB and enter the size the form asks for, such as 200KB or 500KB. Check the size the form asks for, as each portal sets its own limit.

After compressing, zoom in on the ID number and date of expiry. They must still be easy to read.

Keep your ID safe

Your ID card is personal data. Merge PDF, JPG to PDF and ID Card to PDF all run inside your browser, so the images are not uploaded to a server.

Share the file only with the office that asked for it. If you must send a copy where the full ID number is not needed, you can hide it with Redact PDF first.

Frequently asked questions

How do I put both sides of my CNIC on one page?

Use ID Card to PDF. Add a photo of the front and one of the back, then download the A4 PDF with both sides on one page.

Does this work for Iqama?

Yes. ID Card to PDF works for Iqama, CNIC, Emirates ID, Aadhaar and other ID cards.

Can I merge PDFs on my phone?

Yes. Merge PDF works in the browser on Android and iPhone as well as on computers.

Are my ID images uploaded?

No. These tools run inside your browser, so your files stay on your device.

Related tools

Read more